TaniB

My all-time favourite film! Kevin Smith creates such truly endearing, eccentric, quirky characters, and then manages to cast actors who seem destined to play their roles. Joey Lauren Adams steals the show (we need to see more of this brilliant gem!), and the Jason Lee / Ben Affleck dynamic is really powerful - all of the actors appear so natural and comfortable, and Jason Mewes is a gift from God (and that's coming from an athiest!). A beautifully written conversational comedy that very gently uncovers the hypocrisy surrounding gender relationships. This film goes way beyond the 'acceptance of sexual preference' cliche, and instead concentrates on the insecurities that all human beings are born with - gay or straight! Mr Smith, you are truly a genius!!!

I never thought that I would get over the '90210' experience, but Shannyn Doherty is actually very good in this film, though it always helps to have the innate comic timing of Jason Lee to help support your character. Mallrats is a very clever film that uses the 'mall' culture to explore the notion of territoriality - both physical and emotional. I think that Claire Forlani and Jeremy London were unwise casting choices - most of Kevin Smith's actors seem to have an air of relaxation and comfort that these two didn't seem to possess. They also appeared to struggle with scenes that require fast-paced dialogue delivery (I doubt I could do better, but then again I don't get paid millions of dollars a year to do it!). Jason Lee and Shannon Doherty were appropriately mean and cynical, and Jason Mewes' introductory 'mall dance' will go down as one of film history's classic choreographic numbers!