Clerks II
I was very entertained by this movie, but I think somehow this experience went a bit deeper than that for me. This movie struck a nerve with me ... as if I was grooved into some kind of deeper resonance with it
It has everything that one should know come to expect from a Kevin Smith movie -- outrageous blue and vulgar material, pop culture up the ying yang (particularly geek cultural iconic talk like SW and LOTR), and as of Jersey Girl, an emotional center, a sweetness. That being said, I think other people have covered these aspects far better than me
The movie resonated with me because I find myself as a part of that generation that is creeping well into their 30s, and now realizes that the things you did or were in your teens and 20s -- well, at least, you question still being into those kind of things or situations, perhaps agonizing over ways to get ahead ... or feeling things are passing you by ... as if your opportunities in this life to make something of your self are slowly fading out
The brilliance of the movie is not how it makes GEN-X people like me feel a premature middle age crisis ... or make us feel bad for being a bit too far into pop culture and having seemingly rudderless, slacker lives. The brilliance is that it affirms the greater aspects of life that come from doing what you makes you happy -- the tragedy is that too often we don't want to claim ownership of it ... and really feel happy and fulfilled in our lives, shunning it for the rat race and other robotic existences that at our core we know that we wouldn't enjoy or feel fulfilled with living
The elegance of message is do what makes you happy, embrace your friends and the people that you love, find the woman that you are broadly compatible with ... because all of these things make life worth it, supporting and being supported by your friends, family, and your significant other ... in fact, living this way actually makes you ahead of the game because you probably are at peace with your life -- it's not about feeling guilty for being a fanboy in whatever realm that you may be one -- as much as it is not about feeling bad that you never achieved fame, fortune, material abundance, especially if that is not what motivates you ... it's about being okay with being with who you are, and knowing what is of value and important in this life to you
Oh and my personal affinity aside, this movie is really entertaining, funny, gross, odd, but at the end of the day is very likable ... and comes highly recommended