Chasing Amy [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray]

Director: Kevin Smith Kevin Smith

Overview

After a pair of films about hipster slackers, the work of writer-director Kevin Smith matured and gained critical respect with this low budget, independent comedy-drama about love, sex and the fine line between the two. Ben Affleck stars as Holden McNeil, a New Jersey comic book writer who is roommates with his best friend and professional partner, artist Banky Edwards (Jason Lee). Their hit comic book series, "Bluntman and Chronic," is loosely patterned after a pair of acquaintances, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (played by Smith), two characters already familiar as supporting players in several Smith films. Into Holden's life comes Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), a lesbian and fellow comic book creator who quickly becomes a close friend, although Holden is powerfully attracted to her. Eventually, Alyssa realizes that she is attracted to Holden as well and they begin a physical relationship, much to the consternation of Banky, whose ire over losing his best friend to a lesbian seems to border on romantic jealousy. After he learns something about Alyssa's sexual past, however, Holden's immature response to his new knowledge destroys both his romance with Alyssa and his friendship with Banky. Chasing Amy (1997) was the third film in what Smith referred to as his "New Jersey series," films set at least partly in the Garden State and featuring the Jay and Silent Bob characters.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/23/2021
UPC:	0032429350794
Original Release:	1997
Rating:	R
Source:	Miramax
Language:	English
Time:	1:53:00
Sales rank:	17,076

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ben Affleck	Holden McNeill,Little Kid
Joey Lauren Adams	Alyssa Jones
Jason Lee	Banky Edwards,Kim,Actor
Dwight Ewell	Hooper
Jason Mewes	Jay
Kevin Smith	Silent Bob,Con Woman
Ethan Suplee	Fan
Scott Mosier	Collector,Waitress
Guinevere Turner	Singer
Illeana Douglas	Angry Woman
Brian O'Halloran	Executive No. 1
Matt Damon	Executive No. 2
Dan Lunney	Train Attendant
Tony Torin	Cashier
Rebecca Waxman	Dalia
Paris Petrick	Tory
Welker White	Jane
Kelli Simpkins	Nica
John Willyung	Cohee Lundin
Tsemach Washington	Young Black Kid
Ernie O'Donnell	Bystander
Dave Pirner	Composer
David Pirner	Composer

Technical Credits

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith	Director,Screenwriter
Shan Lory	Casting
Scott Mosier	Producer
John Pierson	Executive Producer,Producer
William Kozy	Sound/Sound Designer
Robert Hawk	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Writer-director Kevin Smith took on the increasingly rocky terrain of 1990s love and desire in the low budget, ultra-contemporary romantic comedy Chasing Amy (1997), the final film in his "New Jersey trilogy." In a twist on the conventional boy-meets-girl love story, the unexpected relationship between heterosexual Holden and lesbian Alyssa (with Holden's best buddy Banky a jealous third wheel) becomes an extended, offbeat conversation on how love and sexuality transcend easy definitions and categories through their intrinsic unpredictability. Smith's casually profane, humorously savvy dialogue taps profound sentiments without becoming mired in emotional treacle, even when his characters edge toward long-windedness. Ben Affleck's performance as Holden was one of several in 1997 that earned him the label "rising star" -- even if Jason Lee's Banky had some of the best lines -- while Joey Lauren Adams garnered a Golden Globe nomination for her mercurial Alyssa. Beginning with its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, Chasing Amy drew critical and box office kudos, restoring Smith to indie film grace after the failure of Mallrats (1995).

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola