Just Another Smith?

As a filmmaker, Kevin Smith is a limited talent.  He's not much of a director and is shaky as a storyteller, but he's got the gift of gab mixed with a certain fearlessness that's allowed him to carve out his own niche.  In his book Tough Sh*t he recognizes that he's been blessed. In fact, the subtitle tells it all: Life Advice From A Fat Lazy Slob Who Did Good.

His first message is we're all lucky. We all won the lottery just by being born.  Once we recognize that, and understand that our time here is limited, we might as well go for it and have a good time.

The first few chapters of his book are the best, as Smith talks about how his early days made him become a filmmaker, followed by a whirlwind tour of how he made everything from Clerks to Clerks II.  I wish that had been most of the book. Instead, he talks more about the films since then--those that made him lose his passion (Zack And Miri Make A Porno and Cop Out) and the project that brought it back (Red State).  These chapters aren't bad--in fact, reading about how miserable Bruce Willis was is fascinating--but they're half the book.  The rest is stuff about separate issues such as the controversy where he was too fat to fly (allegedly), and the things he loves, such as his wife and George Carlin.

Smith can get away with this format since the work is being sold (vaguely) as an advice book, but a biography would have been better.   He says he's wrapping up his film career, even though he's still relatively young.  He doesn't think he's a born filmmaker like Scorsese or Tarantino, and that may be right, but I have to wonder if he won't miss it when, and if, he gives it up.  Millions aspire to be in his position, and will just being an artist in general (whatever that would mean) satsify his urges?

Anyway, it's a fun book, and Smith can be funny, in a loose, profane sort of way familiar to anyone who's seen his films.  Just don't expect a consistent story, a helpful guide to fledgling filmmakers or even any advice that'll come in handy.