Chasing Amy (1997)

Writer-director Kevin Smith (Clerks) makes a huge leap in sophistication with this strong story about a comic-book artist (Ben Affleck) who falls in love with a lesbian (Joey Lauren Adams) and actually gets his wish that she love him, too. Their relationship is attacked, however, by his business partner (Jason Lee), who pulls a very unsubtle Iago act to cast doubt over the whole affair. The film has the same sense of insiderness as Clerks--this time, Smith takes us within the arcane, funny world of comic-book cultism--but the themes of jealousy, deceit, and the high price of growing up enough to truly care for someone make this a very satisfying movie. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

Chasing Amy Rocks!

Having seen Chasing Amy on the premium movie channels a number of times I knew I had to purchase it for my film library. This film just works on so many levels. The characters are so interesting and the relationships to intense and real. A definate must have.... August 8, 2008

Let's Be Friends

Let's Be Friends

Let's be friends. Don't you hate to hear those two words and one contraction? Ouch. You have been placed firmly in the 'friend' bag and there is no way out. I bet you that auteur Kevin Smith has been there, many times, but he found a way out! Yes, behind-the-scenes gossip says that he was dating Joey Lauren Adams while directing this little indy romcom. Why wasn't she with her co-star, the handsome Ben Affleck? Or even Jason Lee, long before he was the star of My Name is Earl or even the remake of Alvin and the Chipmonks? It boggles the mind! Plus Kevin Smith is fat. He even made a bet with Ethan Suplee, who plays a fanboy in Chasing Amy, and is now also on My Name is Earl with Jason Lee, where Ethan plays Earl's fat and not-too-bright brother, Randy. The bet was who could lose the most weight over a ten year period. And Kevin Smith lost that bet. To fat Randy? Yet he still managed to date Joey Lauren Adams? Dude. That is all. Just, dude. What more can you say?

I will say that Kevin Smith loves New Jersey, Star Wars, Jaws, comic books (he has even written scripts for Marvel), Quick Stops, Malls, and he must love Catcher in the Rye, since he named Affleck's character (a comic artist from New Jersey, naturally) Holden. He appears in his own movies as Silent Bob, where his sidekick Jay does most of the talking. But when Silent Bob does speak, people listen. I was wondering why the movie was called Chasing Amy when Joey Lauren Adams' character was named Allysa Jones? But as Silent Bob explains, Amy is the perfect woman with a past that causes you to turn away, but you regret it, and wind up chasing Amy.

In spite of the comic book aspect of Chasing Amy, it is actually a very sophisticated romantic comedy with penetrating character analysis, witty dialogue, and it takes the standard romcom boy-meets-girl plot and twists it in a most unusual fashion.

Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) combines astute psychological assessments with a crude manner of expression that is refreshing in its candor. One can't help thinking of auteur Smith, also fathoming the depths of his demographic, and analyzing his audience, i.e. you and I, as we watch his film. Holden's banter with cute female comic artist Allysa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) is some of the sharpest thrust-and-parry we've seen on a romcom turf in quite some time. My only quibble is that he tried a bit too hard to be cool, and as a result, mumbled what I assume were some great lines that I couldn't understand, even after multiple rewinds. E-nun-ci-ate, please, while still making it seem natural and spontaneous. Talk to your pal, Matt Damon, about it (who by the way makes a cameo appearance as a media mogul interested in making Holden's underground comic Bluntman and Chronic into an animated series).

Also a delight is Hooper (Dwight Ewell), a Black comic artist who trades in Black Rage, but is actually a Black Gay man who delights in tweaking Holden's partner, inker Banky Edwards, with his theory that Archie and Jughead are gay, not to mention that old queen Mr. Weatherbee. How else to explain his conflicted emotions, which is why Archie could never make up his mind between Betty or Veronica? Hooper is also good for the occasional withering comment, but Banky and Holden give as good as they get, masters as they are of the single entendre.

Joey Lauren Adams is cute, hot, and very believable. She has a strange voice but like Jennifer Tilly, it grows on you, and is an integral part of her charm package. She sings well, too, and in a pivotal scene in Meow Mix, an underground nightclub, she sings a love song that she herself wrote. It is a good song, and is also the moment where Holden first realizes that she isn't addressing him, but rather, the blonde girl to his side.

Bound
Boys on the Side
Being John Malkovich
Mona Lisa
Gigli
Almost Famous
Clerks (Collector's Series)
Mallrats (Collector's Edition)
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (Dimension Collector's Series)

Alyssa: Why are we stopping?
Holden: 'Cause I can't take this.
Alyssa: Can't take what?
Holden: I love you.
Alyssa: You love me?
Holden: I love you. And not, not in a friendly way, although I think we're great friends. And not in a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although I'm sure that's what you'll call it. I love you. Very, very simple, very truly. You are the-the epitome of everything I have ever looked for in another human being. And I know that you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is-is-is the furthest thing from an option you would ever consider. But I had to say it. I just, I can't take this anymore. I can't stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can't-I can't look into your eyes without feeling that-that longing you only read about in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. And I know this will probably queer our friendship - no pun intended - but I had to say it, 'cause I've never felt this way before, and I-I don't care. I like who I am because of it. And if bringing this to light means we can't hang out anymore, then that hurts me. But God, I just, I couldn't allow another day to go by without just getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And, you know, I'll accept that. But I know, I know that some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there's a moment of hesitation, then that means you feel something too. And all I ask, please, is that you just - you just not dismiss that, and try to dwell in it for just ten seconds. Alyssa, there isn't another soul on this ******* planet who has ever made me half the person I am when I'm with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next plateau. Because it is there between you and me. You can't deny that. Even if, you know, even if we never talk again after tonight, please know that I am forever changed because of who you are and what you've meant to me, which - while I do appreciate it - I'd never need a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind me of.
July 23, 2008

I'm glad it was just a rental

Some of my best friends are lesbians. Heh, it's a cliche, but it's true. So it's not the subject matter that turns me off; it's the clumsy execution.

I must confess, I haven't seen the entire movie. I turned it off a minute or two into the pivotal scene in which he and she discuss sexual histories. It was just too lame to watch. I'm suprised that Ben Affleck (or Joey Lauren Adams, for that matter) hasn't bought up all the copies just to prevent that supreme moment of Bad Acting from being revealed. This is the opposite of "selling" a scene. To be fair, it wasn't just bad acting - they were delivering some of the most wooden lines I've heard from a supposedly hip writer/director. The entire script is gimmick-laden, permeated with an urge to explore these intricate relationships, but never getting beyond two-dimensional portrayals. Could have been very good, but it's just a bad joke. July 7, 2008

Don't f@#k with Amy!

Chasing Amy starring Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams would have been a better indie film if it weren't for all that cussing. You won't believe how many times they say the f-word, probably over 200 times. I don't mind foul language in films but when every other word is dirty it does get on your nerves. Thank god the two stars have wonderful chemistry together, how cute is Joey Lauren's voice, adorable! This is a mixed bag for me, deicide for yourself. July 1, 2008

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!!!

This is simply one of the most intelligent, thought-provoking, but still funny (with Kevin Smith's insight and vulgarity all rolled together) films I've ever seen! Ben Affleck plays Holden, a comic book artist who falls for fellow comic book artist, a lesbian named Alyssa...played brilliantly by Joey Lauren Adams. Jason Lee plays Holden's business partner, Banky, who seems to have more trouble with his friend's relationship than you would expect if Banky was straight. The scene where Holden proclaims his feelings for Alyssa is great, because she "lets it slip" that she feels the same way by flipping out, even though she professes to be gay. Their short-lived affair is constantly landmined by Banky. And the best scene in the movie is where Holden confronts Alyssa about her very experienced past, and they have a real screaming argument in the parking lot of a hockey game. Dwight Ewell does a wonderful job in the role of Hooper, the gay friend who has to act like a militant Black Panther in order to sell his super hero comic book. And the only scene that brings Jay and Silent Bob into the plot ties the whole movie together. Though it is a love story, it is by no means just a chick flick. The frank discussions of sex, relationships and life makes this movie very accessible to men.......and it is not for general audiences. Very insightful writing.....the acting and directing are wonderful! Great job by Kevin Smith......it's moving, but also hilarious. A great, great, great movie!!!! May 16, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...