Review of Clerks (1994) by William C — 25 Nov 2013

When I originally watched the film, I was in a semi-conscious state late one friday night. The subtle stoner comedy-of-errors style made me laugh, but I felt as though there was not much to it. The following weekend I sat down, fully engaged, and took note of what other elements the movie had to offer. A cathartic odyssey, the film could be interpreted as a modern representation of Inferno from The Divine Comedy, for which the main character could be named. Randal, though seemingy the antagonist of the film, in a way leads Dante to spiritual growth, acting as Virgil. Jay and Silent Bob, though somewhat inconsistent with the idea, could be the demons of Dis and throughout Hell that motivate and effectively usher Dante on his journey.

Dante Hicks is initially awoken, hungover, thrust into going to work on his day off, an inescapable uphill battle; just as Dante Alighieri finds himself in an inescapable forest, submitted to a trek through hell.

They proceed through their respective "hells", experience each of the seven deadly sins, etc. However, my favorite bit of introspection is at the end of the film, Randal makes it apparent to Dante that they are essentially the same as the people who shop at the Quick Stop and video store. It turns the mirror towards the viewer of both the epic poem as well as the movie.

This may be deconstructionist nonsense, but something to think about nonetheless.