Friday, June 18, 2010

The Line - "Da Gangsta?"

Movie: Clerks
Character: Randal
Line: "Babyface Bambino; da gangsta?"




Oh man, This one really gets me. Now, before people get up in arms about me bashing this film I have to say first that I really love this movie. I know it was Kevin Smith's first movie, I know it was done on a very small budget, and I know that none of the cast would have considered themselves "professionals" at the time of filming. That being said, I believe this is one of the most inspirational films a future film maker could ever see, and that is what I love about it. But this line takes me right out of the movie.

I think of it as sitting in my chair to watch a good flick, and as I watch it, I'm no longer in my living room. I become so sucked into the movie, that I exist in the fictional would laid out in front of me, which says a lot for the film's creators. Then this line happens, and I'm right back in my chair again.

It goes against everything I've ever read about screen writing. "Show the story, don't tell it" is always the golden rule, and it was epicly ignored for this line. The delivery is also a co-culprit here. Now this being the film that it is, there are plenty of poorly delivered lines throughout, but that is what gives it its charm. It just sticks out like a sore thumb.

Fail-O-Meter: 3/5 Salsa Sharks

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