Two years ago, the Hughes brothers, Allen and Albert, made Menace II Society, a violent melodrama whose film-school flash won kudos. Last year's top novice was Kevin Smith, with his clever, scratchy comedy Clerks. But straight or gay, black or white, these directors are defining the rage and wild wit of their peers who feel swamped in helplessness. The party's over, slackers. In Mallrats, Smith puts a clown face on the college-age glums.
Life is awful, so let's go shopping, cruising, trashing.
The humor is gross-out but inoffensive, since it's rooted in whimsy, not malice. Smith finesses the sophomore jinx with sophomoric high jinks. The joke refers to Apocalypse Now, but the bet here is that Smith does love the odor of deals. A film studio to him is just a giant convenience store where he can showcase his bright, disposable wares. The Hughes brothers are up to more serious business.