Posted by Alferd Packer at a010-0993.rlgh.splitrock.net on February 23, 2001 at 21:32:39:
In Reply to: I weep for the Future Of Jay and SilentBob *NT posted by Tons O Fun on February 23, 2001 at 20:52:20:
...because of people like you.
Kevin Smith is a very talented writer. And while his vulgar language and in-depth fisting discussions are amusing, that's not all there is to him or his writing or his characters.
I'm sure if I asked you what your favorite moment in a View Askew movie was, you'd list something from Mallrats or one of the Jay and Bob scenes from Clerks (Lord forbid you say the dancing scene).
I personally think it's the Holden/Banky scene in Chasing Amy, right after the "because other three are a figment of your fucking imagination."
I really want to see Kevin Smith do a straight drama. I think he can craft a story supurbly (sp?) and his dialogue and realistic characters can make for a riveting, engrossing experience.
But because of the public, he's going to be nailed to Jay and Silent Bob, and without Jay, Silent Bob, a ton of "fuck"s, and a bunch of obscene jokes about dicks and pussy, he's not going to make any money. And while I know making money isn't what Kevin is all about, it is what studios are all about (I say STUDIOS, not individuals who run such - I know nothing of the Weinsteins or their personal cinematic preferences), and studios fund the movies. Without money, a movie cannot be a made, and it'll eventually come to be that without Jay and Silent Bob, there will be no money.
I'm not making this a personal plea to Kevin or anything, I know that what one asshole says doesn't mean shit, because a boatload of other assholes like the crude mindless comedy. I just wanted to make that clear, so no one would think I was pretentious enough to believe that what I said could make a difference. Kev's in his 30's, he's old enough to know what to do. He knows more than I do.
Instead of thinking that this movie will lead to a Fletch adaptation and an animated movie, I convinced myself that this movie is being made to make some dollars, raise Kevin's intrest level, and make people more aware of him. I also like to think it's a place where he can further develop his directing skills.
I'm still looking forward to it, though.
Anyway, that's all from me on this topic. His Daredevil run proves he can be intensely dramatic while retaining humor derritive from dialogue and characters. I'm just waiting for it to be done on film.
And I have enough faith in Kevin himself to, if he can't find studio backing, produce the dramatic movie independantly.
I just hope I don't have to wait too long.