Chasing Amy (1997)

3.5 out of 4

Starring: Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes, Dwight Ewell, Kevin Smith

Director: Kevin Smith

Time: 111 mins

Chasing Amy is the third in writer-director Kevin Smith's (Dogma) New Jersey trilogy that started with Clerks and was followed by Mallrats. Considered his most personal work, it is also his most mature, having grown up from the irreverent bawdiness of both Clerks and Mallrats to produce something that not only contains the same belly-laughs from those two movies, but adds a truthful and sometimes painful examination of unconventional relationships in modern society. It is also a return to the low-budget style of filmmaking Smith displayed with Clerks, after a flirtation with the (relatively) mega-budgeted and much-maligned (though not in my view) Mallrats. The film contains equal amounts comedy and drama, with the first half hour being probably the most hilarious 30 minutes in any of Smith's films. There is a moment towards the end that almost compromises the film's carefully nurtured plot, but overall the film's humour and characters carry it across the finish line.

Holden McNeill (Affleck) and Banky Edwards (Lee) are best friends and co-creators of the successful comic book series, Bluntman & Chronic. At a convention they catch up with their friend Hooper (Ewell), a fellow artist who is not only black, but gay (which gives rise to a hilarious speech on white domination in the Star Wars universe), and are introduced to Alyssa Jones (Adams), another struggling comic book writer. Before too long Holden has fallen madly in love with Alyssa, only to discover that... she's a lesbian. While initially disappointed, Holden accepts her offer of friendship. Their relationship grows steadily from there on, although occasionally rocky obstacles get in the way, such as when Holden learns about Alyssa's sordid past. Banky himself is none too pleased, and cautions Holden against continuing the relationship. But Holden must first decide whether his love for Alyssa will overcome his dislike of her history, or lose her forever.

Chasing Amy is a startlingly candid film. Not that this is surprising, considering Smith's many frequent discourses on sex, and other usually less publicly discussed topics, in his other films. But in Chasing Amy Smith tackles gay stereotypes, and sex acts, with remarkable honesty, and yet imbues his discussions with uproarious lines that will make you laugh as well as think. As with all of Smith's work, it's the wiseguy best friend (in this case, Jason Lee, as he was in Mallrats), who gets to say all the best lines. Try not to laugh when Lee, as Banky, compares sexual tryst wounds with Alyssa in a scene that recalls the famous Quint-Hooper scar duel in Jaws (which is one of Smith's favourite films). Later scenes, while not offering the same number of jokes or funny lines, still have you interested because of the well-developed relationship between Holden and Alyssa. Many critics have said that Chasing Amy is not the funniest film in Smith's oeuvre, but I don't concur. Its first half hour had me constantly in stitches.

Smith employs a steady stable of actors in his movies, and Chasing Amy is no exception. The three main actors - Affleck, Adams, and Lee - front for their second Smith film (having all appeared in Mallrats), and Affleck and Lee would go on to star in Dogma. Affleck was still relatively unknown at this point in time (he went on to stardom with Good Will Hunting and Armageddon), but he is good as someone who doesn't quite know what his feelings are. Adams is sparkling as Alyssa, alternately tough one moment and vulnerable the next. Her winning smile and distinctive voice remind one of Renee Zellweger (Jerry Maguire). As good as Affleck and Adams are, however, it's Jason Lee who steals the film, much as he did in Mallrats (playing a fairly similar character). Almost everything he says is worthy of a chuckle. It's also fun to see Clerks' Brian O'Halloran in a cameo as a producer, as well as a young Matt Damon before he, too, went on to A-list status with films like Good Will Hunting and The Talented Mr Ripley.

The other Kevin Smith trademark - numerous pop culture references - are in plentiful supply here as well. Again, there are the nods to Star Wars and Jaws (as are in almost all his movies), but there are also mentions of Archie comics, Murder She Wrote, and the Canadian TV "melodrama", Degrassi Junior High. The irrepressible team of Jay (Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) are back in a cameo, dispensing advice in their own simplistic, yet disarming way.

Chasing Amy is a welcome look at modern relationships that never loses sight of its goal or its humour. Drawn from Smith's own personal experiences, and his then-relationship with Joey Lauren Adams, it is at once both heartfelt and very funny. There is the same sex-based humour that has been evident in his other films, but here it is funny because it comes out of discussing usually uncomfortable, squirm-worthy topics, rather than just to gross the audience out. With the addition of well-drawn characters, and an involving story, it is definitely Smith's best work so far. Highly recommended.

(c) Joe Wong (21 June 2000)