Chasing Amy (1997)

Director:

Kevin Smith

Writer (WGA):

Kevin Smith (written by)

Release Date:

4 April 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

It's not who you love. It's how.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Comic Book | Lesbian | Friendship | Gay | Jealousy

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Ethan Suplee	...	Fan
Ben Affleck	...	Holden McNeil
Scott Mosier	...	Collector
Jason Lee	...	Banky Edwards
Casey Affleck	...	Little Kid
Dwight Ewell	...	Hooper X
Joey Lauren Adams	...	Alyssa Jones
Guinevere Turner	...	Singer
Carmen Llywelyn	...	Kim (as Carmen Lee)
Brian O'Halloran	...	Jim Hicks - Executive #1
Matt Damon	...	Shawn Oran - Executive #2
Alexander Goebel	...	Train Kid
Tony Torn	...	Cashier
Rebecca Waxman	...	Dalia
Paris Petrick	...	Tory

MPAA:

Rated R for strong graphic sex-related dialogue, language, sexuality and drug content.

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #35184) | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | USA:R | Sweden:15 (video rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:MA | Brazil:18 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | Chile:18 | Finland:K-12 (original rating) | Finland:S (video rating) | Germany:16 | Israel:16 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 (video premiere) | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Too Askew Prod. Inc.

Trivia:

When Kevin Smith pitched the idea to Miramax, he also said that he had written the parts with his friends Ben Affleck, Jason Lee and Joey Lauren Adams in mind. Miramax, however, wanted to cast people who already had celebrity status, such as Jon Stewart, David Schwimmer and Drew Barrymore (these three were actually suggested). The film's original budget of $3,000,000 depended on Miramax's support. Ultimately, Smith suggested that he make the movie with his three original actors on his own, and Miramax could buy it for distribution if they liked it. Miramax owners Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein liked this idea, and gave him $250,000 to make the movie (1/24 of the budget of his previous film, Mallrats (1995)).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Hooper-X is asked to sign the little boy's comic book at the record store, and as the boy walks away, the comic book is seen to be an Avengers comic (the advertisement on the back indicates that it is from the early-to-mid '80s).

Quotes:

[first lines]
Comic Book Writer #1: I don't know. I love Chow Yun Fat. I just don't see him playing Batman.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Just Shoot Me!: Finch Chasing Amy (#6.6)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Can't Do Nuttin' for Ya Man

Not to be missed!!!

My all-time favourite film! Kevin Smith creates such truly endearing, eccentric, quirky characters, and then manages to cast actors who seem destined to play their roles. Joey Lauren Adams steals the show (we need to see more of this brilliant gem!), and the Jason Lee / Ben Affleck dynamic is really powerful - all of the actors appear so natural and comfortable, and Jason Mewes is a gift from God (and that's coming from an athiest!). A beautifully written conversational comedy that very gently uncovers the hypocrisy surrounding gender relationships. This film goes way beyond the 'acceptance of sexual preference' cliche, and instead concentrates on the insecurities that all human beings are born with - gay or straight! Mr Smith, you are truly a genius!!!