Clerks (1994)

88% of critics liked it
(49 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(254,036 ratings)

When Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) is reluctantly put in charge of the Quick Stop market on his day off, he tries, though half-heartedly, to perform his minimum-wage duties as efficiently as possible. This gets tough amidst the on-going fight with his girlfriend, Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti), and… More When Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) is reluctantly put in charge of the Quick Stop market on his day off, he tries, though half-heartedly, to perform his minimum-wage duties as efficiently as possible. This gets tough amidst the on-going fight with his girlfriend, Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti), and his attempt to get back together with his ex-girlfriend, Caitlyn Bree (Lisa Spoonhauer). Meanwhile, his friend and alter ego Randall (Jeff Anderson) is working behind the counter of the adjacent video store -- at least when he feels like it. Randall's unabashed disdain of his place of employment, a long with his self-admitted hatred towards its customers is a sharp contrast to Dante's feeble attempts at the niceties of customer service. Much of the film consists of Randall and Dante's criticism of their customers, their lives, and the world in general. Clerks, filmed in black-and-white on a budget of only $27,000, began the career of writer director Kevin Smith, who would go on to make Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999), and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Kevin Smith
Written By: Kevin Smith
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Oct 19, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jun 29, 1999
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin, New York Times
A buoyant, bleakly funny comedy chronicling a day's worth of activity at two adjoining stores.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
A hoot one moment, a hiss the next, the film is about as even as a city road after a hard winter. But the script's sheer vigour sees us through.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
A collegiate and post-collegiate laugh fest.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Clerks is so utterly authentic that its heroes have never heard of their generation.
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
The film looks no more expensive than it was; some of the acting (by local nonprofessionals) is spectacularly amateurish; the story is a series of anecdotes about hockey, shopping and loving the one you're with. But it's worth loitering in this shop.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Amateurishly acted, clumsily edited and slapped together out of what looks like surveillance camera footage, the thing bumps along not so much on talent as on audacity.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
There's no denying the raw and energetic feel Smith created with a memorable script, great characters and a genuine sense of Gen X angst.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
an exemplar of what can happen when the stars align and someone's home movie can help foment a revolution
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
Clerks remains a defining debut, a symbolic shot into the darkened domain of legitimate moviemaking.
Matt Noller, Slant Magazine
The extras are sweet, but Clerks's low-budget ugliness is a questionable fit for Blu-ray.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the film's inherent deficiencies are generally overshadowed by the distinctly earnest vibe.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Smith dogpiles absurdity and obscenity on top of each other. The dullness of the dead-end jobs is brightened by bizarre bits--a fat guy asking for softer toilet paper, drops dead on the toilet.
Brad Laidman, Film Threat
Kevin Smith actually pulled it off.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
It comes from bad stock, curses like a longshoreman and doesn't bring a gift. Nevertheless, it's the life of the party.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
I still say that "Clerks" is my favorite Kevin Smith movie.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

What's strange about Clerks is that the characters speak of such hyperbolically disgusting things all the time - the first, but certainly not the last, time we see this technique from Smith - but the illusion never breaks. These people seem incredibly real. The acting in… More
What's strange about Clerks is that the characters speak of such hyperbolically disgusting things all the time - the first, but certainly not the last, time we see this technique from Smith - but the illusion never breaks. These people seem incredibly real. The acting in Smith's debut is pretty rough, and the budget is famously low, but this is a seminal 1990s film, gritty and honest and flying in the face of the economic recovery, showing us the children of the 1970s, all grown up now with no place to go. Take a Woody Allen movie and transpose it to your New Jersey garage, and you're getting close. These vignettes come together well enough in the end, and if one or two don't quite pay out, they're over quickly enough that you won't lose the enjoyment. Can't believe I waited so long to watch this, it's a great and original film.
Graham J

Kevin Smith's wiity debut is a great introduction to the world of Kevin Smith.
Matt G

Randal: My mom's been fuckin' a dead guy for 30 years. I call him dad. 'Clerks' is the greatest comedy ever made, no arguments, it is a flawless treat. It took me fifteen years to see this great film that inspired a cartoon series, spawned a sequel, and sold action… More
Randal: My mom's been fuckin' a dead guy for 30 years. I call him dad. 'Clerks' is the greatest comedy ever made, no arguments, it is a flawless treat. It took me fifteen years to see this great film that inspired a cartoon series, spawned a sequel, and sold action figures. It's a masterpiece with great laughs. Has very few flaws and great performances. I thought the sequel was funnier though. Clerks is the story of two clerks, Randall and Dante, who hate interacting with customers. The whole film takes place throughout a very long day; involving a funeral, a hockey match, and a death. Okay, this is my second favorite Kevin Smith film, first being Clerks II and third being Zack and Miri Make a Porno. For a first time writer/director, Kevin Smith does flawlessly, and does so with so little of a budget, about $30,000. This proves that you don't need a big budget or big stars to make something special (suck it, non-independent filmmakers). Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson did super, especially considering Jeff's little-to-no acting experience, and Brian's only theater experience. The characters they have each created are so memorable, I have memorized each of their individual lines (seriously), and watching these two go back in forth with their arguments that range from philosophy to 'Star Wars' are a real delight to see. 'Clerks' brings back the good old black and white movie, unintentionally though, based on the budget, which is one of the most memorable aspects that makes this film so great. All in all, Clerks is a great cult movie that remains one of my favorite Kevin Smith films, actually, one of my favorite films of all time. (Note: The ending of Clerks: The First Cut sucks) Highly recommended.
Steven C

Kevin Smith's "Clerks" is an interesting 1990's relic. If someone watches the film today, with no context of what it meant to independent cinema at the time of it's release, would see it as no more than a amateurish and shoddy raunch fest. Thankfully the… More
Kevin Smith's "Clerks" is an interesting 1990's relic. If someone watches the film today, with no context of what it meant to independent cinema at the time of it's release, would see it as no more than a amateurish and shoddy raunch fest. Thankfully the amateurish nature and endless poor taste are combated with "Clerks'" place in film history. I found the film only sightly amusing. Smith has an ear for dialogue but none of it is screamingly funny. "Clerks" is a film that you should see for the simple fact that it changed so much in terms of what upcoming filmmakers can accomplish on a shoestring budget. "Clerks" became a phenomenon but undeservingly so. The film is ultimately a feature length film school project.
Tim S

Kevin Smith's triumphant first film, Clerks, is easily one of the funniest movies of the 90's. It's quite a snapshot of a bunch of amateur filmmakers managing to pull off a very funny script. The film isn't perfect in parts - people flub lines, sound effects are a… More
Kevin Smith's triumphant first film, Clerks, is easily one of the funniest movies of the 90's. It's quite a snapshot of a bunch of amateur filmmakers managing to pull off a very funny script. The film isn't perfect in parts - people flub lines, sound effects are a little silly and even the camera work is a little dodgy at times - but that just makes the whole piece a little stronger. The fact that it's in black and white makes it sort of documentary-ish, or like discovering an old tape that you love. Its lack of quality is mostly its strong point, along with extremely sharp and witty dialogue. It's not for everybody, but it's one of my favorites.
Sam B

Ridiculously raunchy and full of truth, Clerks is an odd coming of age comedy which is hilarious and honest, but lacks an engaging, coherent narrative.
Melvin W

Clerks is an inspired and hilarious film from Kevin Smith. Being that it was made on such a small budget and that it was his debut, a lot of things were against Smith. He took a huge risk with this movie and put his future in jeopardy in order to make it. His dialogue is second to… More
Clerks is an inspired and hilarious film from Kevin Smith. Being that it was made on such a small budget and that it was his debut, a lot of things were against Smith. He took a huge risk with this movie and put his future in jeopardy in order to make it. His dialogue is second to none and hilarious. The characters he created are foul mouthed and perverted, but they have heart and care about each other. Clerks is one of the greatest comedies ever made and one of my favorite movies.
Drake T

Smith commands such excellence in this otherwise boring premise that it really makes the mundane life of these two "deadbeats" incredibly entertaining and more importantly, insightful. It's a particular brand of down-to-earth vulgar humor that Smith is known for that… More
Smith commands such excellence in this otherwise boring premise that it really makes the mundane life of these two "deadbeats" incredibly entertaining and more importantly, insightful. It's a particular brand of down-to-earth vulgar humor that Smith is known for that really holds the viewer's attention but it shines most when he finds maturity and sophistication in characters that often carry themselves with such simplicity we'd often see right through them. And such is this movie appropriately named and is about; Clerks.
AJ V

A simply hilarious low budget comedy, I love it. It's Smith's first film, so if you like his work, you need to see it.
Jeff "

The directorial debut of Kevin Smith is definitely one of the best independent films ever made. The film is a comedy classic. Not only is it Smith's debut as a director, but Clerks also is the debut of Jay & Silent Bob, the rapping, dope smoking marijuana dealers. What makes… More
The directorial debut of Kevin Smith is definitely one of the best independent films ever made. The film is a comedy classic. Not only is it Smith's debut as a director, but Clerks also is the debut of Jay & Silent Bob, the rapping, dope smoking marijuana dealers. What makes this an interesting film is that it was filmed in black & white. The humour is witty and well conceived. One thing about Kevin Smith is his knack for writing a very funny film with lots of hilarious dialogue. Clerks has some very well written dialogue despite the fact it's fairly vulgar, but then again it's the whole point of a viewaskew film, right? Clerks is a fine independent film, and it shows that you don't a huge budget to create something memorable. Clerks is very original, and the story may be kinda dull, but Smith puts a twist on it that makes it something truly special. Clerks is not perfect, but it manages to be an accomplished film considering that this is a low budget comedy. Clerks showed the comic genius of Kevin Smith, and he became a terrific director afterwards. Clerks is a terrific gem of comedy film with a lot of vulgarities, but it's used in a very humourous manner. Smith would make better films, but Clerks remains one of his classics for sure. An original comedy that is fairly simple its story telling, Clerks is one of those films that proves you don't need a complicated idea to create a good. film. A must see for a fun evening.
Dan S

Extremely vulgar but effectively shot comedy featuring two lovable losers just trying to get through the day at a convenience store. What they encounter are some of the world's worst customers, an ex-girlfriend, two drug dealers who just wander around all day doing nothing, and… More
Extremely vulgar but effectively shot comedy featuring two lovable losers just trying to get through the day at a convenience store. What they encounter are some of the world's worst customers, an ex-girlfriend, two drug dealers who just wander around all day doing nothing, and more horrific events and people. The dialogue is sharp, capped off by a gross-out finale that fits the film's plot well. Not for everyone, but it is cool to think Kevin Smith shot this in the old convenience store he used to work when it was closed, just to make this movie.
KJ P

It was good, but I would never watch it again, because the humor did get boring after a while!
Conner R

Kevin Smith set out to make a film about pop culture and he succeeded on every level. On a small scale it is a comedy with a lot of filthy language, but it is much more than that. Clerks is an essential generation x movie with both the mindset and mood of the time. It's pure… More
Kevin Smith set out to make a film about pop culture and he succeeded on every level. On a small scale it is a comedy with a lot of filthy language, but it is much more than that. Clerks is an essential generation x movie with both the mindset and mood of the time. It's pure cynical backlash to the world around. It's the small talk that you have every day, not something made to sound better.
Thomas B

The great thing about this film is its originality. It really is one of a kind. The characters talk in a stilted dialogue, painfully obvious that it's scripted, and the subject matter is more than ridiculous, and yet, the film works, because of its purely original storyline and… More
The great thing about this film is its originality. It really is one of a kind. The characters talk in a stilted dialogue, painfully obvious that it's scripted, and the subject matter is more than ridiculous, and yet, the film works, because of its purely original storyline and concepts. Comedies like this are a dying breed, where the main characters are actually established as characters, not some sideshow freak which trips over and makes a silly face for a laugh. Dante Hicks is a down-on-his-luck guy who doesn't seem to care about the fact or be willing to do anything about it. His best friend, Randal Graves, is a man who seems to know what he's doing, even though what he does most of the time is take advantage of his position at the video store ordering porn. Veronica is Dante's frustrated girlfriend who has just about had it with Dante's defeatist attitude. These three characters have one hell of a day, interrupted by Jewish guys, customers and hecklers who turn out to be salesmen for chewing gum just trying to get a commission. And these are just a few of the incidents, not even getting started on the menagerie of golden conversations which ensue, especially between Dante and Randall, covering everything from weird death positions to Return of the Jedi. The black and white was a very bold choice for director Kevin Smith, as well as the extremely long takes and static camera shots which are prominent throughout the movie. This sort of style mimics the view of a security camera and makes the audience feel as if they are spying on the characters who are having the weirdest day of their lives. Even though the set pieces themsleves are surprisingly subdued for such a critically acclaimed movie, there are a lot of laughs to be had here, and the film will only get better after repeat viewings. Great film. Defining Scene: My favourite scene is definitely playing hockey on the roof. Such an original thought.
Dean M

This Kevin Smith's directorial debut and indie classic is so hilarious about the convenience-store clerk Dante Hicks spends a day in Quick Stop and develops shell shock from sexual revelations by his girlfriend, mopes over the marriage of a high-school flame, plays street hockey… More
This Kevin Smith's directorial debut and indie classic is so hilarious about the convenience-store clerk Dante Hicks spends a day in Quick Stop and develops shell shock from sexual revelations by his girlfriend, mopes over the marriage of a high-school flame, plays street hockey on the store rooftop, trades psychobabble with a cynical video-store clerk, and deals with a parade of weird customers. Gee... plenty of coarse languages! I'm such a fan of Kevin Smith's films.
Anthony L

Clerks is a nice little independent film and you have to admire how well Kevin Smith did with it. It's just not as good as everyone says it is, it's ridiculously overhyped!
Lorenzo v

"Just Because They Serve You...Doesn't Mean They Like You." A day in the lives of two convenience clerks named Dante and Randal as they annoy customers, discuss movies, and play hockey on the store roof. <center>"Just Because They Serve You...Doesn't Mean They Like You." A day in the lives of two convenience clerks named Dante and Randal as they annoy customers, discuss movies, and play hockey on the store roof. <center>REVIEW</center> This ultra-cheap debut of Kevin Smith has none of the elements that make movies work, but somehow still does. It's unconventional, it's experimental, and some people have stated that it's actually barely a movie, which leaves me with little rebuttal. However, this grainy, black and white recording about nobodies doing nothing is hypnotic in a way, and most of all strangely funny. Having Jay and Silent Bob (both seldom seen) dance is one of the most random things I've ever seen in a movie, but it really cracked me up. There isn't really a plot, and nothing is ever resolved, but this doesn't matter, cue off the wall dialogue about hermaphrodite porn. I have no idea why I laughed, I have no idea what I've even watched, but this is really good stuff. Only thing that bothers me is the little relationship story, it doesn't feel realistic because I'm a superficial bastard. The girl playing Veronica is quite a lot more attractive than the girl playing Caitlin, which makes the last twenty minutes or so a bit bothersome. Either way, this is an instant classic.
Aaron N

Randal: This job would be great if it wasn't for the fucking customers. Along with Dogma, this is my favorite Kevin Smith film. A cheaply made film focused on 20 somethings reflecting on their life status, which started the whole Smith View Askweniverse. Dante Hicks: I'm… More
Randal: This job would be great if it wasn't for the fucking customers. Along with Dogma, this is my favorite Kevin Smith film. A cheaply made film focused on 20 somethings reflecting on their life status, which started the whole Smith View Askweniverse. Dante Hicks: I'm not even supposed to be here today! The story centers around Dante Hicks, a college dropout who works in a convenience store. The movie moves over the course of a particular day where a number of things happen including Dante dealing with his ex and current girlfriends, his interaction with his best friend/foil Randal, where to stage a hockey game, how to attend a funeral, and the antics of the drug dealers hanging outside the store, Jay and Silent Bob. Randal Graves: Which did you like better? "Jedi" or "The Empire Strikes Back"? Dante Hicks: "Empire". Randal Graves: Blasphemy. Dante Hicks: "Empire" had the better ending. I mean, Luke gets his hand cut off, finds out Vader's his father, Han gets frozen and taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings. All "Jedi" had was a bunch of Muppets. What I love about this movie is the rapid fire, quick witted dialog that makes up all of Smith's films, this being where it started. As Smith has stated himself, people don't talk in real life the way he writes dialog, but its still much more interesting than scattered sentences, as well as much funnier and poignant at times. Dante Hicks: You hate people! Randal Graves: But I love gatherings. Isn't it ironic? Dante and Randal make a great team, and I am glad that I was able to see their further exploits in a cartoon series along with the sequel. The movie is very funny and manages to hit a number of relatable issues. Sure, a lot happens all in one day, but it's a movie, why would I want to watch a story of an uneventful day? Dante Hicks: Embolism in a pool, what an embarrassing way to die. Randal Graves: That's nothing compared to how my cousin Walter died. Dante Hicks: How did he go? Randal Graves: He broke his neck. Dante Hicks: You call that embarrassing? Randal Graves: He broke his neck while trying to suck his own dick! Shot super cheap, with some shotty acting from some supporting players, the movie still moves along great through Smith's written dialog patterns, which includes plenty of sexual, pop culture, and Star Wars references. I can easily watch it over and over. Blue Collar Man: Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but what are you talking about? Randal Graves: The ending of "Return of the Jedi". Dante Hicks: My friend here is trying to convince me that any independent contractors working on the uncompleted Death Star were innocent victims when it was destroyed by the Rebels. The extremely quotable nature of the movie also makes it great along with the hysterics of the building sequence of events that occur and the cool enough alternative rock soundtrack. Randal Graves: Some guy came into the store refusing to pay late fees. Said the store was closed for two hours yesterday. I tore up his membership. Dante Hicks: Shocking abuse of authority. Randal Graves: Hey, I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. Just a great movie, full of vulgar dialog, plenty of memorable lines and good fun to enjoy. Randal Graves: Fine then, just let me borrow your car. Dante Hicks: What for? Randal Graves: I want to go rent a movie. What was that? Dante Hicks: You work at a video store! Randal Graves: I work at a shitty video store! I want to go to a good video store and get a good movie!
Alice S

Off-the-wall insane, yet oddly grounded. Hilarious, yet philosophical. Utterly profane, yet wonderfully romantic. Very nice use of repetitive motifs.
Jens S

Kevin Smith's debut feels like a film made by friends with no money but a lot of great ideas for dialoges and plot twists. Many of these are a part of pop culture by now and characters like Jay and Silent Bob returned in many more films. While parts do feel aged now after 15… More
Kevin Smith's debut feels like a film made by friends with no money but a lot of great ideas for dialoges and plot twists. Many of these are a part of pop culture by now and characters like Jay and Silent Bob returned in many more films. While parts do feel aged now after 15 years, the simplicity and real feeling still work, the jokes are still hilarious and very films didn't give less of a damn about political correctness since. Still a lot of fun and with a good soundtrack.