Why?
What is is about some films that makes them ever watchable?
I think we are going to have to study this film by film to really get an clearer view of just what the hell is going here.
Let's start with CLERKS. #8 on my all time list
This one has a personal touch for me. I lived this movie is a twisted kind of way. I worked in at Ray's Video next door to Ray's Liquor in Chico, Ca. I didn't have a girlfriend bring me lasagna, but I had a stalker come in so she could talk to me more than once. No one died in the bathroom, but I damn near killed somebody after one too many "I am looking for that movie with that guy in it..." You know it was the same but totally different. Actually one of my favorite moments was when the sorority girls would come to the counter asking for porn and I would say as loud as I could without actually yelling "We don't carry porn here, try..."
It was hard to do with a straight face. I got a bit of a Randal streak and that job, one of my all time favorites. I liked going to work. I am not sure I have ever since.
Who has never made a generalization about broads that went horribly wrong?
You also have to love the illustration of how double standards work. He's a slut for having sex and she's a slut for not but giving the one gratification all men desire.
I mean this is important shit here.
"The guy ain't here yet."
I can't tell you how many times I wanted to have that conversation with a customer.
"How many times did that girl cheat on you?"
"8 1/2"
Just the mere idea of using this concept in a film is one that I only see in this film. The story that explains the half is fantastic.
We did not carry porn so I never got to make the poan order in front of a parent, however...
One year on Christmas Day I was single, my parents live in town, I volunteered to work so others could go hang with family. I put on LETHAL WEAPON, hey it takes place at Christmas. Anyway this woman walks up and cpomplains about her kids being able to see the film and my repsonse was something like this.
"Oh, I am sorry, I am working here on Christmas away from my family so you and yours can come rent some movies."
Blank stare, open jaw, didn't say another word about it.
Same day.
"Hey how you doing?"
"Good and you?"
"Well it's Christmas and I'm working"
"um...uh...uh...I'm sorry."
I am a prick, I love to fuck with people. Randal Graves sums that spirit up nicely and always helps me keep in touch with that part of me.
Then we meet Olaf the metal head Russian.
"What's the name of his band?"
"Fuck You Yankee Blue Jeans"
"That doesn't sound very metal."
I love this part of the movie, gives me a giggle every time. When Olaf sings Berzerker, oh it's fun alright.
"That's beautiful man."
The next scene has what I deem to be the greatest philosophical debate film has ever seen. The debate of whether or not the destruction of the second death star was moral or not, complete with a practical experience example to settle the debate, Tarantino wishes he wrote this scene. Best dialog ever. Watch it and if you disagree, 1 you're wrong, 2 see 1, 3 I am The Move Whore that's who.
The point I want to get to here is this. The reason this film is so watchable, no matter how many times I watch, is the personal connections I can make to my own life.
If you can't connect to the story, how can you be entertained by it?
Why does my connection with CLERKS work?
The same reason my connection with my wife works, it's personal and it's deep and a part of who I am as much as I am a part of myself.
If you ever want to understand your connection to a film, try understanding yourself and your connections to others and I think you just may be surprised.
