Kevin Smith's Final Film

[Dr Handsome]

Kevin Smith wants to stop making movies or so he says as he promotes his “final” two movies, both seemingly radical departures from what we’ve seen from him in the past couple of decades. Now I’m not here to judge any artist whose dealing with some creative crisis, if he doesn’t want to make movies that’s his choice, but Kevin Smith seems restless for approval in a way that makes his so called retirement seem, to me, more desperate than sincere.

He’s got a strong following (one even M. Night Shyamalan can’t point to) and has the opportunity to make films that seem to retain his voice, you’d think that would be personally gratifying yet he chooses to take the criticism on such personal level. It just seems as if he’d rather defend his canon than actually make movies. In my mind his retirement announcement (or at least the way it was worded) felt more like an loud excuse than anything, you know, sincere or heartfelt.

What about you guys? What’s everyone think about Kevin Smith (definitely one of those ‘you love him or you hate him’ kind of filmmakers) and what’s the consensus on this so called retirement or, you know, if it'll even happen?

[maarow]

I'm more or less a fan of Kevin Smith, mostly based on Clerks. (a funny and entertaining movie that caused, or at least was lucky enough to anticipate, a mini-revolution in film in the nineties) and Chasing Amy (better written by far than Good Will Hunting, the film that actually won the Best Screenplay Oscar for that year). I enjoy his podcasts and speaking engagements and think that generally speaking, he's probably a good but massively insecure person who can turn asshole very quickly when not met with unanimous approval.

My opinion, and I hate to surmise about things like this based on hearsay and armchair psychology, is that his retirement probably will be a final one. Evidence being:

1. He's lazy. Smodcast turned into a business venture turned into a miniature empire; it combines financial gain with creative outlet with means of gaining approval from strangers, and it's easier and more immediate than filmmaking. So, that has likely sapped his energy and motivation for staying in the movie business.

2. He doesn't take criticism well. Podcasts receive their share of vitriol but compared to the hatred inspired by his films I bet it's a much smaller portion. Plus the positive feedback (live crowds swooning in adulation at his every word) is immediate.

3. He's left his mark. Smith's stoner comedies were meeting with diminishing returns as the years rolled on, and other filmmakers are now beginning to stand on his shoulders and improve the formula, gaining superior critical response and box office returns than his own films. I think he wanted to try something different (a horror movie and a sports drama) to at least attempt to prove, to himself and his audience, that he isn't just "the Clerks guy", and if those are his last films than it seems more like a statement than an anomaly.

And...that's all I got on this topic.

[deadpool]

As I have said before I am a huge kevin smith fan and I aspire to be like him someday. I kind of exxpected him to retire someday but I have to admit I didn't expect it so soon. I think it might not be true because he has only just started to improve and varry his filmmaking. If he does end up retiring I hope he goes back to the vieweskewverse and brings us one last laugh with his origional characters and I kind of hope he brings zack and miri into the universe because other then no jay and silent bob it is a perfect fit for his style.

If he does retire from movies he has a lot of potential to do other things. He could make a fortune with his Q&A's he could also keep writing comic books and even write his own book. i really think his story is an inspiring one. A man from a lower class family in jersey working behind a counter puts everything on the line to make a movie and it ends up becoming a bit of a hit and a classic. He goes on to make a second films which failed initally but found an auidence. He faces critisim all the time but a lot of the time he dosen't care. In fact if you make fun of him in a smart way he actually kind of likes it. He is not the greatest film maker but I feel he repersents the average person and shows that you don't need to be perfect to be great.

[Dr Handsome]

Maarrow, I pretty much agree with everything you said in your post: he seems like a well intentioned filmmaker whose insecurities get the better of him and whose inability to process criticism keeps him from progressing as an artist. I’ve never quite liked his public persona, the way he mocks his critics (quickly and frequently) makes seem more concerned with himself than with his films, but I’m actually angry he’s not continuing his work as a filmmaker.

It seems like he’d rather stop making films than own up to what is a relatively small amount of criticism and his podcasts seem, in some small way, an excuse for him to shield himself from any critic who isn’t in his devoted cult fan base. It’s either that or he’s attempting to “reboot” himself by switching careers. Either way I can’t help but wonder if deep down he’d rather keep making movies.

[ikderk]

Can I take the bet that his "retirement" is as real as Jay-Z's? Granted, I don't think Kevin Smith is any HOVA, but I think it's more bluster than reality.

I'd say "massively insecure person who can become an asshole really quickly" would describe many directors, producers, actors, writers, agents, lawyers, and others who work in entertainment. A need for attention isn't a glaring character flaw for an entertainer. It may seem desperate coming from Smith, but maybe it's because he doesn't hide his need for attention. His films and performances are nothing if not honest.

It may depend on how much money he makes from podcasting, but I think Smith will still be involved in making movies. Considering he can essentially make a film, distribute it himself, and tour with it, I have a hard time seeing that stop. While I don't buy his "everyman" shtick, it has the potential as a genius business strategy. If Smith is successful with this film and tour, he can negotiate a pretty good deal for distribution and marketing of other films because he's demonstrated he doesn't need the studio. I'm interested to see how the new film comes out (both as a film and as an enterprise).

[drewcardi]

I think Maarow hit the nail on the head. The points he's listed coupled with the fact that his last four films failed to find an audience I think has him sour on the whole business side of film making.

I think that, had Jersey Girl been a success, we would've seen a whole different side of Smith emerge. I would love to see that Smith. Unfortunately, after that, we got more of the same from him. Clerks 2 was heartfelt, but, ultimately, unnecessary, Zack and Miri was fun, but regressive for him and, no matter how much he blames Willis, I don't think anything would've helped Cop Out (Side note on Cop Out: I'd love to see that script before Smith got it. I can't base this on anything, but I have a feeling he did some rewrites that ultimately hurt that film).

That being said, I'm cautiously optimistic about Red State and Hit Somebody. The trailer for Red State looked amateurish in a bad way, and the script pages from Hit Somebody that Smith published online weren't that strong, but both were early when shown, so I'm hoping he'll turn them around before release.

I doubt he'll stay away from movies completely, and I doubt he'll stay retired for good. For now, I just hope he goes out strong.

[Dr Handsome]

In any case a better artist might have found his footing regardless of the circumstances-- even if that meant turning down some larger projects or going against the grain a lot earlier in his career or doing something other than what he's been doing for the past few years.

I'm really not that confident in the two films he's about to put out; it's almost painful to watch.

That isn't to say I'm not hoping for something spectacular.

[killerwhalen]

Well I don't know what I can say about Smith that hasn't been covered more eloquently than I could've but going back to what Dr. Handsome just said, I think that's the most disconcerting part about Smith's (I'm on the "love him" side) supposed retirement, so far buzz for Red State hasn't really dipped to the negative side and it's almost unanimously agreed that Smith is a competent director outside of his comedy comfort zone, and if that's all the case I'd hate to see him bow out of the spotlight so soon.

Then again, if he had a bit more time for the Smodcast Network it couldn't hurt. Considering how well he's managed it while in production for one film (next month he'll be expanding to full time daily internet radio) I'd be interested to see what other vulgar little rabbits he could pull out of his hat.

[Dr Handsome]

Seriously, this has been lodged in my brain since his retirement announcement. Immediately I thought it was because I generally don't like his attitude- he talks too much about himself and usually not in any positive way. Then I thought it had something to do with wanting to see a seemingly passionate director succeed. I think I've figured out why...

I'm looking to direct someday and I'd be delighted to be half as successful as Kevin Smith! He never seems to acknowledge the long list of seemingly personal films he's gotten the opportunity (and money!) to make or the legions of adoring fans who actually enjoy what he's made, and how many of us can say "I hate my job" and move onto something different never mind start a few radio shows.

It's too bad that he's "so, like, sick of movies and shit" and I'm not saying he doesn't have every right to feel angry-- but he seems all too quick to pour it out on who-knows-what as long as its not him and he in the end he doesn't seem to be focusing on the tremendous career that seventy-five-percent of his nerd audience would kill for.

That's what makes me angry.

[deadpool]

I think that one of the reasons he is getting out is because everyone is way too critical about their movies these days. Much like dairy queen just being good is not good enough for a lot of film critics. I think that Kevin has a bright future in whatever he does because he brings with him such an energy and determination that can't be taught. I actually like him for being him over his movies sometimes. I think that he might drop out of directing and focus more on writing and Q&A's. I also wouldn't be suprised if he started up his own indie production company and help out the small film makers like him.

[duncan]

To be honest, I'm not really a fan of his films. Clerks and Mallrats were resonbly entertaining, but I don't really have any desire to rewatch them. I saw Dogma when I was little, but it left so little an impression that I can't remember any of. I acually enjoyed the 40 minutes of Clerks 2 I caught on TV one night, but I couldn't even finish Zack and Miri, the comedy was so stale. I wouldn't call him a bad filmmaker, as I laugh at least a few times per film, but the cult status he's amassed seems unearned.

However, I was a massive fan of SModcast. There are more laughs in one episode of that show than his entire cinematic body of work. Unfortunately the original SModcast has dropped off in quality over the past year or so with about 15 minutes of ads bookending each episode. The spin-off podcast, Tell 'em Steve-Dave (which is run by a few of his friends back in NJ) is actually hilarious and has filled the void SModcast left.

In any event, Kevin Smith is one of those filmmakers I'm not a fan of, but certainly don't have a problem with. Moreover I think he's a very funny speaker and even funnier podcaster. It's a shame that sense of humour doesn't translate to his scripts. Which is another area of dislike I have for him. His scripts are just bursting with pop culture referces, but they're the most mainstream, overused references ever. Even Family Guy probably wouldn't use that many Star Wars call-outs.

[Dr Handsome]

I think I'd be way less invested in this transition (I mean, cool, he's found another passion) if he wasn't acting as if he'd gotten a lousy deal. He's living the dream of many (most?) of his fans for one thing. But he wants to talk as if critics gave him a hard time.

I mean, I've heard that some critics were quick to dismiss Clerks (which I'd say has legitimate filmic merit) on the grounds that it was just some passing piece of pop-culture waste but it's gotten enough serious critical credit since and, well, he hasn't exactly made anything really spectacular since. The better stuff's gotten its share of critical attention, the bad stuff got justifiably panned-- right?