Snowball Effect. The Story of Clerks

A really entertaining and thankfully in-depth look at the road to CLERKS, taking the journey with Kevin Smith from birth to high school sketch comedy to working odd jobs with no direction post-high school to seeing SLACKER to making the movie to getting it seen to getting it in Sundance to finally finally getting it sold. This is a refreshing departure from a lot of DVD making-of docs which are loaded with clips and halfhearted praise from the participants about everyone else on the film. The CLERKS story is one of the great underdog tales of indie film, and this doc really lays it all out carefully, clearly, and amusingly for fans and wannabes alike.

I really enjoyed this very unusual and engrossing documentary about the Making of "Clerks"-one of the greatest movies ever made in my opinion. This is not your typical documentary. We are introduced to just about everybody who had a hand in Clerks, from Smith's family, to his friends and the cast, plus all the people who helped turn this movie into a major success.

But mostly this is about Smith himself, an incredibly talented, brilliant person who comes across just as witty, non pretentious, and real, as the characters in Clerks. In fact watching Snowball Effect is a lot like watching Clerks itself. It's a great thing when a movie is recognized for just being a good movie.

I can't even count the times I've seen Clerks and I know that for many people, this is way more then just a movie, it's a slice of life. Smith's "Clerks" and his determination in making it was a labor of love and this documentary highlights the way it all came about from the idea, to the actual creation. It is a must see for any major fan of Clerks.

For those unfamiliar with the reference of the documentary's title, please see "Clerks." Be warned, its meaning is somewhat risqué. For anyone who's seen the film (which basically means: everyone), they'll know what I'm talking about.

The title is the key to this documentary because essentially it is "so" CLERKS. Everything about it is fit in nicely with the film, told from the same perspective, i.e. it's very Kevin Smith-ish. Smith is a fanboy like you and me so he's always willing to invest time in DVDs and fan interest (even more so than Tarantino) -- his interest in the CLERKS X 3-disc DVD is astounding and admirable.

He seems like a nice guy and he certainly has some interesting anecdotes here. I particularly enjoyed the separate "Q & A," also included on the DVD for those interested in buying. It's essentially viewers asking the cast questions about the movie, ten years later. Some of it is hilarious.

Overall, the DVD is a must-buy, if only for the third disc full of features. But it gets better, because the other two discs are just as good in terms of movie-related stuff (trailers, commentaries, etc.).

A lot of work went into this documentary and DVD. It's overwhelming, in a very good way, and one of the best I own.

Snowball Effect: The Story of 'Clerks' (2004)

**** (out of 4)

If you're a fan of Kevin Smith's CLERKS then this documentary is certainly going to be a must see. It clocks in at just 78 minutes but it pretty much takes you throughout the entire process of Smith going to film school to getting the idea for a movie and then it takes us through the casting, the production and eventually trying to get it sold.

SNOWBALL EFFECT: THE STORY OF CLERKS is certainly a wonderful little gem because it not only gets the cast and crew back together for interviews but we also get to hear from all the important people who helped get CLERKS noticed and into various film festivals including Sundance. I was really shocked at how much material is covered in such a short running time but there's no question that this is a must see for fans as well as young filmmakers wanted to get a movie made.

All of the interviews are terrific and they really give you a great idea of all the trouble that Smith had to go through in order to get the film made and then the harder task of getting someone to see it. The entire process is told in such a fast and fun way that you can't help but feel like you're watching a thriller play out. Sure, you already know what happened to the film but the documentary is just so good that you can't help but go along with the ride.

Well only if you think of the literal one. Actually if you watch this documentary it is quite likely you are thinking of the right one ... which is quite disgusting for most I imagine. I'm not going to rate that or tell you my feelings - all you on this one.

But if you know what this is about, which will be true for most, the documentary will also quite sway you. It is really well made, has a lot of insight and shows you what was what. And it is not that Kevin Smith is shy when it comes to talking - no that would be Silent Bob ... but it's not just him here, you many perspectives and how others remember what the making of was like. It is as exhausting and extensive as a making of should be - in documentary form sort of.

So if you are a fan of the movie or Kevin Smith in general ... I don't have to convince you to watch this.