Chasing Amy - Criterion Collection
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Dwight Ewell, Joey Lauren Adams, Matt DamonBrand: AFFLECK,BEN
DVD: 2 Layers, Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled)
Format: Collector's Edition, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1
Running Time: 113 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-06-13
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Miramax
Movie Reviews of Chasing Amy - Criterion Collection
Movie Review: Let's Be Friends
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
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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.
Summary of Chasing Amy - Criterion Collection
Holden thinks Alyssa is the woman of his dreams but she has someone a little different in mind--another woman. They share the kind of relationship they've been looking for all along and discover the confusing ups and downs of love, sex and friendship in the '90s.he '90s.Genre: Feature Film-Comedy
Rating: R
Release Date: 2-APR-2002
Media Type: DVD
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
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