Chasing Amy Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
It's not who you love. It's how.
Sex is easy. Love is hard.
Finally, a comedy that tells it like it feels.
Holden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything's going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she's a lesbian.
| Matt Damon | Shawn Oran - Executive #2 |
| Ben Affleck | Holden McNeil |
| Ethan Suplee | Fan |
| Joey Lauren Adams | Alyssa Jones |
| Jason Lee | Banky Edwards |
| Dwight Ewell | Hooper X |
| Jason Mewes | Jay |
| Casey Affleck | Little Kid |
| Kevin Smith | Silent Bob |
| Scott Mosier | Collector |
| Guinevere Turner | Singer |
| Carmen Lee | Kim |
| Brian O'Halloran | Jim Hicks - Executive #1 |
| Alexander Goebbel | Train Kid |
| Tony Torn | Cashier |
| Rebecca Waxman | Dalia |
| Paris Petrick | Tory |
| Kevin Smith |
7.50 out of 10 (50813 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Kevin Smith's Best Work
posted on 21 Aug 2009This is the movie. Kevin Smith did an excellent job on this one. Wheredid he think of this stuff. Or was it something that happened to him. Truth is stranger than fiction. The acting was great, the characters believable. Holding (Ben Afflack's Best movie) did such a great moving job dealing with Alissa and her problem. Till the end but managed to save a little face. Binky is the funny man in the movie. The fall guy and he's good at it. Get you to wonder if this is the way Jersey guys grew up. Would love to see a follow up for the movie. Hopfully with the whole cast list in Clerk 2. Would like to see a follow up for Mallrats also.
Very enjoyable
posted on 18 Aug 2009A very enjoyable movie. The characters are weird and whacky, which might wrong-foot some viewers but we found all the performances compelling.
Plenty of other reviewers have sketched the characters and performances in detail so there seems no need to repeat the praise.In many ways it is simply a very good romantic comedy with a twist or two. Yet we found ourselves discussing issues about relationships and attitudes afterward, which we would normally only expect to do after seeing more "serious" drama. That is the sign of an excellent script, which clearly this movie has.It probably won't change your life, but it is certainly capable of improving your evening or even your weekend!
Kevin Smith's masterpiece..
posted on 18 Aug 2009Except for Clerks, there is no other movie than Chasing Amy I would rank among his best work to this day. Maybe a different lane for Smith after creating the brilliant Clerks (independent classic) and the puberescal Mallrats, but you know what they say: three times' a charm. The third one, Chasing Amy is Smith's most mature work: Chasing Amy is about a man and a woman and his and hers past that haunts them. Holden is a comicbook artist and meets another artist named Alyssa. They start hangin' out together and eventually become a couple. Everything's kool, until he finds out her past: she has quite some sexual experience and he's afraid he won't do her any good as he's not that kinda experienced.Even though Holden's fallen in love with Alyssa, he's thwarted by her sexuality, his own misgivings about himself and the disdain of his best friend Banky, a brilliant role of Jason Lee. The lead actors Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee give such excellent performances, I can see why Jason and Ben are in demand now. Joey Lauren Adams is very underrated, she needs a part in a movie the way it helped Renee Zellweger become an A-list actress.Chasing Amy is completely in the hands of the three lead actors, but it wouldn't be a Kevin Smith movie if there weren't the obvious co-stars: Jay and Silent Bob, of course in every Kevin Smith movie. Hooper X, a black militant homosexual, a great role of actor Dwight Ewell. The way he puts Star Wars in a racist context is so unique, I bet no one looks at a Star Wars movie again, after seeing his scene.The title Chasing Amy refers to a story Silent Bob tells to Holden about a girl he used to have a relationship with, Amy. Great scene, respect to Kevin Smith in his role as Silent Bob.All in all: Clerks and Chasing Amy, the Best of Kevin Smith. In my opinion, I see Mallrats, Dogma and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back as supplemental material next to beforementioned classics. I hope Kevin Smith returns with a movie of such quality as Chasing Amy, because trust me: it's a great film..
A "Must-See" for anyone with a taste for intelligent comedy
posted on 15 Aug 2009Although I cannot be lumped into the "movie-going public," I am an avid viewer of motion pictures. I prefer to view them in my private screening (living) room. Kevin Smith has never failed to keep me laughing throughout his films.When I first saw Chasing Amy (on DVD), I felt that a movie maker had finally taken the gamble at targeting an intelligent audience. I have sat with various audiences (different personal friends, that is) and have noticed that less than 20% of them got "it." It is rare to find a film that is directed at the higher eschelon on the inteligence scale that can still entertain the masses. Bravo Mr. Smith. Keep up the great work.I aspire to someday do the same to my audiences. All I need now is to find my talent!
Smith Goes Soft For A Favorable Change
posted on 09 Aug 2009***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** So far in Kevin Smith's film career, `Chasing Amy' is his `Driving Miss Daisy' of movie achievements. He went from sardonic, sophomoric comedy to earthly, emotional realism, putting forth an intensely magnified story of sexuality and the fragile boundaries of love. His writing maturated into a tale well told involving common debate ground for customary issues, the ongoing battle of the sexes and the dire consequences of traversing to the other side of our ironclad gender coalitions.The ill-fated tale begins with two twenty-somethings working together on their well-renowned comic book `Bluntman and Chronic'. Banky Edwards (Jason Lee) and Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) are lifelong friends, and what better way to spoil their friendship than to bring a woman into the picture. Enter Hooper X, the author of a pro-black comic with a pronounced hedonistic and riotous reputation that belies his true nature: he's as flamboyantly gay as they come. Hooper X is stereotypically but nonetheless hilariously portrayed by talented beau Dwight Ewell. He garners most of the laughs in this film to keep Smith's deeply emotive content from getting too serious. He acquaints a fellow comrade from the gay community to Banky and Holden at a comic book convention, unbeknownst to three of them that this mere introduction is the beginning of a whirlwind of emotional conflict.The name of the whirlwind is Alyssa Jones, and upon their first meeting, Holden is on a mission to claim her. It's not until he and his wisecracking companion are invited to an outing at a gay bar does Holden realize Alyssa is a bona fide lesbian and his conquest for a breathless fling is shattered. Unfettered by her conspicuous sexual agenda, Alyssa pursues a warm and trusting friendship with Holden, spending time with him over the months, generally palling around and having a good time. After a stretch, Holden recognizes that his feelings for Alyssa are beyond platonic, and this is the point in the movie when everything straight becomes askew (no pun intended).Banky consistently intercedes, knowledgeable of Holden's threshold of tolerance for relationships. He advises him that his newfound adoration will not have a pretty ending, but Holden and Alyssa are bull-headedly driven by their honest affections and defy the odds, including the coarse rebuff from her once-loyal lesbian clique. Eventually, provided the impossible circumstances and Banky's mistrust for Alyssa's sordid past, their relationship unravels and abruptly ends over a heated argument and a woeful awareness of the impossibility of their happiness.Smith's writing and direction is in top form in his third installment of young adult films, reprising his references to notorious characters of the past, including Alyssa Jones herself, Brandy Spenning, and the unintended necrophiliac Caitlin Bree. He ties all of his stories together closely, showing us what a small world it is, especially in New Jersey. It also comes as no surprise that Joey Lauren Adams was entitled to the lead role, being Kevin's girl and all (at the time). She actually proved to be a greater actress than I thought, amidst her nasal screaming and profane dialogue. Jason Lee has gotten better over the years, but it's like he's going back to his Brody routine with all the endless diatribes he goes on. His character is witty, but Smith is stereotyping his acting ability every step of the way by always making him the sideman. Jason Mewes is much improved here, abating his hyperactive methodology for a more subdued and genuine disposition. Smith even poked fun at his own work by mocking the ridiculous `Snootchy Bootchie' dialect that Mewes popularized. A lot of the actor's lines are Smith's self-effacing humor, and they clash perfectly amongst the love and heartbreak of the movie.Lastly, we have Ben Affleck as the sensitive chap, a warm and welcome presence after the total slimeball he played in Smith's horror of a screenplay `Mallrats'. That material was well beneath him, and thank God Smith made it up to him by offering him the part of Holden. Ben is obviously the diamond in the rough here, fine-tuning the level of interest in the audience with his natural-born charisma. Let's face it: this man is gorgeous, a head-turner. There's no way you can take your eyes off him, nor ignore that beautiful smile. He was perfect for this part and made you feel for him every step of the way. Women will watch this film and wonder, `Where the hell can I find a man like THAT?!!?'To sum all the parts, this is a very worthwhile film and can touch a lot of people, especially if they've loved and lost for whatever reason at some point in their lives. This is far from cinematic genius and I don't think Smith will ever be capable of creating a masterpiece, but his raw sincerity and whole-hearted approach is meaningful and direct. That alone is enough to help one gain a new or amended perspective of life, love and art.
Excellent
posted on 03 Aug 2009The best movie about falling in love and finding out she's a lesbian ever! Kevin Smith is my favorite director, and this is my favorite one of his movies. The ending is highly emotional and made me cry the first time. Funny one minute, romantic the next, and then all coming together in one of the most satisfying and realistic movie ending I have ever seen.
Chases the truth by showing the heart
posted on 28 Jul 2009See this movie!! Other reviews have and I am sure will totally dog the ending of this touch of brilliance. I, on the other hand, absolutely love the ending of this movie. Kevin Smith has never been typical Hollywood. He entertains the masses by keeping it real. This movie is a cross section of a kalidescope of people. I get tired of fairy tale endings, it ruins much of Hollywood these days. Placing the ending aside, this is a beautiful movie. Jason Lee adds the right amount of relief needed to humble ourselves to comfortability of his and Holden's friendship. We are drawn into all relationships, and are required to question our own as the movie progresses. You constantly ask yourself, could this really happen? If I were Holden would I feel the same way?Of Kevin Smith's four movies this is visually beautiful. The scene with Holden and Alyssa talking in the dark except for one blue light, captivates me time and time again. Kevin Smith flaunts his talents as a writer by directing a comedic masterpiece as well as a heart touching drama. You will surly walk away pleased with the beauty of this relationship study"Life is a series of down endings." - Clerks
A more mature Kevin Smith...
posted on 25 Jul 2009This movie really surprised me. Very rarely have I ever been affected on an emotional level, and I never saw it coming from a Kevin Smith film. I'll admit, "Chasing Amy" had me choked up at a few points. I think it is because I saw some aspects of the relationship between Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) and Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) in my own past relationships."Chasing Amy" is about comic book artist Holden falling in love with a fellow artist, who happens to be a lesbian. This movie has a completely different feel than "Clerks" or "Mallrats". This film seems a lot more emotionally mature. It doesn't run along purely on dirty jokes; it tugs at the heart of those who have had similar problems in their relationships.Once again, Affleck and Jason Lee (playing Holden's partner/inker Banky Edwards) give awesome performances, showing that they can play more serious comedic roles. Affleck and Adams show great screen chemistry, which makes their pain that much more realistic and personal for the audience.Of course, a Kevin Smith movie wouldn't be complete without a visit from Jay & Silent Bob, albeit a brief one. This movie has something for nearly everyone, racy comedy with romantic tones.
An Important Film
posted on 04 Jun 2009The films of Kevin Smith have been known for three key elements: unconventional stories from the state of New Jersey, interesting and profanity laced dialogue, and the fact that all of his films are intelligent and honest. Chasing Amy is no exception. Amy tells the story of Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck), a New Jersey comic book artist, who meets a lesbian named Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams). Together the two form a friendship that leads to Holden falling in love with her. His business partner and best friend Banky (Jason Lee), did not like Alyssa from the start, and is distraught by the new outlook that his friend has. Eventually Alyssa falls for Holden as well, and the movie takes on a new spin. It now becomes the story of a man dealing with his 's past. Beyond that, Chasing Amy is an amazing insight into the world of love and friendship in 1990's America.
Beautiful Interwoven Film
posted on 26 May 2009Love stories are difficult to do and to make it a comedy even takes it into more risky territory. Very few films can successfully interweave a love story and a comedy without getting something like a Sandra Bullock movie or a Ben Stiller movie. But Kevin Smith, Jason Lee, Ben Affleck, and Joey Lauren Adams have done it successfully.This is not a film for teenyboppers or anything like that. It is a film that deals with unrequited love. Ben Affleck, in his best role, finds himself in love with a woman that he knows that he can never have and amazingly enough doesn't come off as whiny or anything like that. Kevin Smith, who is known for his dialogue and films like Clerks and Dogma, has written his best script. He walks a tightrope as he stays true to his sense of humor but also presents a beautiful, sad lovesick story.This is not a movie for everybody and that should be understood. While having it's moments of immaturity like other Kevin Smith comedies, it is still a very mature film and serious. But if you are looking for a good, original, and yet beautifully sad story, this is a film for you.
Funny and Encouraged but doesn't go far enough
posted on 20 May 2009OK, this movie is funny and strange. I loved that parts about it... but it also tries to go farther and cross some borders about homosexuality and sexuality generally. It succeeds in some parts but fails in others. It shows people who are not afraid of homosexuality or who simply try to handle it. But still: The only lesbian at whom we take a closer look is one that's only lesbian because she doesn't want to limit herself to 50% of the population, but not because she really only likes girls. At hurray, we only need to say we are in love with here and she will be ours. And then there are only friendships between one man and the other, but not between a man and a woman. As if this is impossible and only men could really understand other men, with the exception of the one girl that's in love with you. And then there we are again, in the old fashioned "Man and Woman" partnership that's praised "the only good one" many times, because that's all the two want isn't it? And of course, how could I forget? All her doings in the past were mistakes! So, we can imagine ourselves gangbang and whatever else, but they are all wrong and aren't allowed in a good old fashioned relationship right? So what about all the swinging people in real life then? Are those all freaky people? Just because homosexuality has become accepted now but swinging hasn't. A man and a woman, that is the holy grail, that's what she and we searched for our whole life... isn't that what's the meaning of this movie? This is not a film that's trying to change society, it's just the new mainstream, that's all... because MTV tells us: Homosexuality is great, but don't do gangbangs or swinging or whatever... and don't forget kids: It's still all about a man and a woman.5 out of 10. And those 5 are just because it's really funny and strange at some points... so it has its good sides.
couldn't be more perfect
posted on 14 May 2009Well guys, i certainly like the movie a lot. and i believe its the best movie ever made. I know it's being rational but that's the way it is ..i mean i liked the movie and connected with it totally. Its not like my life's situation is as its displayed in the movie it just that for the first time the word "LOVE" seems to be real and worth every loss that occurs.Anyways guess i'm getting distracted off the track, talking about the movie I'm a big fan of Kevin smith's duologue's they are the best it could ever be. Man if you doubt me see his short movie --"the flying car".I loved this movie for being so real, or at least giving us the feeling that what we have is real.And did i tell you guys that my life too is kinda revolving around a girl named "AMY" and sorta for the same reason.Anyways this movie is the best..see it soon and see for the most possible of times,. It just gets keeping better and better
Long chunks of dialogue
posted on 08 May 2009Hated this movie! Completely unbelievable plot, compounded with unbearably bad writing. One character discoursing for what seems like ten minutes before the other character gets to pound out their ten-minute long discoursive reply. BORING! Hated it. Not to mention the bad acting of Ben Affleck. Yuck.
The most honest movie I've ever seen
posted on 29 Apr 2009Since I sometimes suck at elaborating in some situations, I'll just leave it as that: it's the most honest movie I've ever seen. Smith puts his life out for display and even criticism (or ridicule) and he did it unflinchingly. Chasing Amy is why my first film and my next one strive to be honest (but not imitations of Smith).There are small things that bug me a little, but the truthfulness, performances, direction and more far outweigh those criticisms. Even watching a few minutes of the film still gives me goosebumps. Literally.
One of Kevin Smith's best
posted on 23 Apr 2009Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy is quite touching, quite romantic, but to be honest, I didn't find it that funny, excluding the few scenes with Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith). The film is a romantic comedy, and very rarely can a film maker make one that is funny. But still, Smith can still evoke a few laughs here and there.Ben Affleck stars as a Comic Book artist who falls in love with Joey Lauren Adams, which is fine except for one thing- she's a lesbian. The film looks at the two's growing relationship and it doesn't turn overly acted, but it is quite touching. Smith always knows where to hit the best angles and lines, and this is a good example of it. Great performances, a better than average script, and finely tuned directing gets this film to be one of the best films of the year.
Director Kevin Smith's best yet
posted on 23 Apr 2009Having seen all three (to date) of Kevin Smith's films, Chasing Amy is far and away the best. There's still the crass humour from Clerks but it's mixed with a real sensitivity. It shows Smith is about much more than just fart jokes. I admit it, there were times when I cried during the film, because leading actors Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams play their roles with the emotions just under the surface. The only fault in the film is Smith's decision to go a little too far with the relationship dynamics of Holden (Affleck) and his best friend Banky (Lee).
An engaging and humorous edition to the Jersey trilogy, Brilliant!
posted on 14 Apr 2009What can I say about this film, well first off I should say that this is my favourite film, I wouldn't claim it to be the best film ever, but I just never tire of watching this. Jason Lee puts in a first class performance as Banky and pretty much steals every scene he's in, accept when Dwight Ewell character Hooper X is on the screen, he provides one of the funniest film characters in recent memory. From the beginning of the Q&A session to the moment Banky goes to check the dents in his car is my personal favourite bit(s), just hilarious. After the extremely entertaining comedy of the first half of the film Kevin Smith takes his film into more serious territory as Holden's (Ben Affleck) relationship with Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) develops. Smith handles it very well and I found it to be quite believable and as intended I found myself caring about what happened to these characters. And even more importantly Smith made me rethink some of my conceptions of love and also the (mis)conceptions we have of homosexuality. The obligatory appearance of Jay and Silent Bob is, as usual, hilarious and Silent Bob provides all of us with some pearls of wisdom. Overall this is Smiths best film (IMO of course) and my personal favourite film, if you haven't seen it check it out, have some good laughs and be touched along the way.
why only a 7 you ask?
posted on 08 Apr 2009I gave this movie a rating of 7, solely because it really doesn't add up to 8 rank comparability. But don't take that out of context. Chasing Amy, volume two of the ever cult popular New Jersey trilogy by Kevin Smith looks at the life of two comic book designers who are best friends split apart by ones love for a lesbian. As if that's not enough to make you want to watch it, it also has Jay and Silent Bob. This movie is loved by many people and rightfully so. As far as the story goes, it stands alone compared to it's counterparts Clerks, and Mallrats. This movie is sickly funny and intriguing. Ben Affleck plays one of his more solid roles in this movie. Though his hair is awful. And Jason Lee and Joey Lauren Adams play exceptionally good supporting roles. A must see.
A lesbian by any other name
posted on 24 Aug 2009A lesbian is a woman who hasn't met the right man.And the moon is made of green cheese.This movie disgusted me, although I think Jason Lee is GREAT.