Review of Mallrats (1995) by Steph O — 16 Oct 2010

It was 1995 when Kevin Smith created this film, the second in the View Askew Universe so effectively setting the precedent of it being a saga. Though if he cared much about what others thought it may have died here before it could give us the brilliant Dogma and Clerks II as this movie did modestly at best in the Box Office and was panned by a surprising number of critics his worst film critically until last year's Cop Out. But why this film incurred the wrath of the film elite I'll never know, as the way I see it, it's witty, biting, thoroughly entertaining and hilarious look at Generation X with a removed almost Wes Anderson style directing job. The movie is really second only to Dazed and Confused in its ability to define Generation X and the 90s in general, and it does it in such a goofy laughable way you can't help but fall in love with it. Their performances especially Jason Lees are right on the money and the soundtrack while a bit distracting quite frankly is still essential 90s fare that shows Smith gets the kids and is no older guy trying to be hip.

The film tells the story of college kid TS Quint (Jeremy London back when he was a good relatable actor) who wants to take his shy girlfriend Brandi Svenning (Claire Forlani not much of a performance but doesn't need to be) to Orlando, Florida for the weekend where he intends to propose. However his plan has a monkey wrench thrown in it when her father's (Michael Rooker who's a bit just awkward at times but one scene pretty much makes up for it) dating show contestant dies as a result of TS inadvertently and she must fill in for her. When she thinks TS is being insensitive when he throws a little fit she breaks up with him. Meanwhile our protagonist Brodie Bruce (Jason Lee in his finest performance) is a quirky neurotic dork who loves comic books and SEGA. His girlfriend Rene Mosier (Shannon Doherty giving a solid performance in her typical strong willed/bitchy girl role) in the meantime has left HIM because he's a motivationless bum who she's dated for several years without having met his mother. Which I guess goes back to the whole Generation X parent worship but I digress. TS goes to his pal Brodie and the two decide to hit up the local Mall to drown their sorrows. Luckily for them Mr. Svening is filming his new Dating Show in the selfsame mall and the battle begins between reality show creator and rejected lover for Brandi's heart. We're led through the film by two very different children of the 90s who have both recently lost their girlfriend and their exploits and interactions with the types of people they find around the mall like the violent and sadistic enterprising youth (Ben Affleck playing the role he is meant too) the volatile redneck (Ethan Suplee playing Ethan Suplee) the slut with a heart of gold (Joey Lauren Adams proving herself to be just a more attractive Jennifer Tilly) and of course Jay and Silent Bob. The movie certainly has its weak points and there's one scene involving Gwen (Adams) and Brandi in particular that feels more like a high school kid with no idea what girls talk about fantasizing but that really gives the film its honest zest, you feel like Smith believes in these characters and as a result you love them and believe them to despite some of the weaker aspects and just awkward moments of the movie. Easily the greatest scene, more than the dating show climax, or the foray to the gritty defunct mall when security runs them out, is when Stan Lee (Stan the Man himself) gives a comic book like pep talk to our hero Brodie. For this reason everyone who loves comics like I do should have a chance to see this movie.

The General theme of this movie is redemption, it handles it in the least serious way but everyone has fouled up in the first 30 minutes and spends the rest of the movie trying to redeem themselves. But on a lesser note I think the point was to show the soft underbelly of the intimidating Generation X. Like I said this movie reminds me a lot of Dazed and Confused but a little order and set in a mall but while Dazed and Confused is in my opinion the superior film Mallrats sets out to do something ballsier to show the losers, the geeks and the mild of Generation X not the loud and upset Nirvana, not the kids who rebelled and were cool the bottom rung. The comics collectors, the stoners the people who weren't particularly angry or rebellious about anything they just had no direction in the 90s so in many ways while this idea has been milked many times since it makes this movie pretty damn original. But I dare say what drives this movie and Smith knows it is Brodie without him the film wouldn't be half as good or enjoyable it's just one of the finest performances of all time in my opinion. It takes a special actor to play such an obnoxious amusing character with such heart and make every line he says and every scene he's in exciting without chewing on the scenery so really if you're on the fence about Jason Lee watch this and prepare to be wooed. Brodie is just my idol and the fact he's not in every View Askew movie saddens me to no end.

So I guess the final question to be addressed is does this movie work and I say yes it does admirably. Like much of Smith's stuff its niche marketing in film but if you like comics, 90s culture and enjoyable relatable characters who happen to be kind of schlubs this movie will be your Citizen Kane. I mean I've heard all the harsh criticism of this movie and had moderate to low expectations going into this movie and that may have factored into my enjoyment of it but I still loved it the second and third time I watched it more than any other Smith movie it compelled me to give it multiple viewings. It's fairly original well directed and while as I've said many times it can get awkward and just plain bizarre like maybe it would have been better explained in a Director's cut it comes together very well in the end so none of these things really ruin it. It embraces its 90s mentality and remains a touching tribute to the long gone era.