DVD Recommendation: "Chasing Amy: The Criterion Collection"

After reading An Askew View 2: The Films of Kevin Smith, I decided to become reacquainted with a few of the director's older films that I have not seen for a while. Chasing Amy is at the top of the list, since it is my favorite Kevin Smith effort (and one I used to own on VHS tape). The film, which was released in 1997, holds up well and was ahead of its time in dealing with the complications surrounding contemporary relationships and issues of sexuality. As viewers might expect, there is no shortage of vulgarity and sexual innuendo, as well as commentary on popular culture, including Star Wars (a favorite Smith topic) and characters from Archie comic books.

Ben Affleck and Jason Lee star as comic book artists Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards, who also happen to be roommates and long time friends. Banky appears content to be single, but Holden is quite different and soon falls for Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), who he meets at a comic book convention. Holden does not realize that Alyssa is a lesbian and learns that fact during a rather embarrassing scene in a gay bar, where Banky appears to enjoy seeing his best friend shot down. Despite the obstacle, Holden continues to spend time with Alyssa and falls in love with her. Perhaps he enjoys being self destructive, or maybe he really believes that she is "the one" and that they can somehow build a life together.

Alyssa and Holden become close, which angers Banky, who believes that Holden will end up with a broken heart and he has no trouble voicing his opinion. It appears Banky is jealous of the connection between Alyssa and Holden and is hostile towards her for the duration. After meeting with Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), who is not so silent this time around, Holden receives uncomfortable information about Alyssa's past that threatens to derail their relationship, which is already on shaky ground. After an emotional and rather long argument with Alyssa, Holden decides to confront both her and Banky together and propose something unexpected, which is met with surprising reactions from both of them and creates even more interpersonal drama among the trio.

Kevin Smith serves as writer and director and excels at both jobs. He clearly understands popular culture and incorporates several clever and brutally honest observations that are delivered with perfection by the talented cast, especially Jason Lee, who is simply hysterical throughout the film. Indeed, Banky says what is on his mind at all times and that does not go over well with everyone. He simply does not care what anyone thinks or if anyone likes him, expect for Holden, of course. Smith also offers keen insight into romantic relationships and how sex can cause many problems, whether in potential heterosexual or homosexual pairings.

Chasing Amy is also perfectly cast by Smith and features solid performances from the aforementioned principal cast members, as well as a scene stealing supporting turn from Dwight Ewell, as Hooper X, an openly gay comic book writer who, like Banky, always speaks him mind. Frequent Smith contributors Ethan Suplee, Brian O'Halloran, Scott Mosier and Jason Mewes add to the enjoyment of the film, which also boasts a brief appearance by Matt Damon. Like many of Smith's films, there is an abundance of male actors who all seem to understand exactly how his words are to be read onscreen. Whether that is just great direction or a magic that Smith develops with his actors, I do not know, but it works beautifully in many of his projects and Chasing Amy may just be the best of the bunch.

The special features include Ten Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Trailer, Audio Commentary, Special Insert: The Askewniverse Legend: A Guide to Characters in the New Jersey Trilogy, New Video Introduction to the DVD Edition from Director Kevin Smith and Video Introductions from the Cast and Crew, including a completely spaced out Jason Mewes.

By the way, regarding the Archie characters, I would not doubt that at least one of the main characters is actually gay, but a supporting character, Kevin Keller, was introduced as gay a couple of years ago. I suppose that was the easy way out for the writers of the Archie comic books, which continue to be popular, keeping Archie, Jughead, Reggie, Moose, Dilton, Betty, Veronica, Miss Grundy and even Mr. Weatherbee from exiting the closet any time soon. I wonder what Hooper and Banky would say about Kevin Keller?

"An Askew View 2: The Films of Kevin Smith" by John Kenneth Muir

Chasing Amy is one of my all-time favorite films and it just may be writer/director Kevin Smith's best effort to date. All of Smith's films, from Clerks to Red State, are highlighted in the updated book An Askew View 2: The Films of Kevin Smith (Applause Books) by John Kenneth Muir. Information about Kevin Smith's early life and various other projects serve as bookends to the Smith film library and enable readers to have a more thorough understanding of Smith and his contributions to various aspects of popular culture.

While I was familiar with Clerks when it was released, I did not see the movie until many years later. The first Kevin Smith effort I recall watching is Chasing Amy, starring Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee. Smith's intuitive and honest screenplay portrayed a realistic view of love and relationships that spoke to Smith's generation, myself included, and attempted to break down needless barriers between same sex and opposite sex relationships. The issue of sexuality is examined in a straightforward way and asks important questions about the need for some people to stay within boundaries because of pressure from a repressed society or from individuals who cannot seem to accept their feelings and desires.

Another one of Smith's finest films, Dogma, always makes me laugh when I think of a line spoken by Jason Mewes, as Jay, towards the end of the film when the Golgothan (a shit monster) is approaching. The line is consistent with what Smith refers to as "dick and fart jokes," but it was not the line so much as the way Mewes delivers it that makes me laugh...repeatedly...for more than a decade now. Of course, casting Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in leading roles certainly added to my enjoyment of the film, but it was Smith's take on the often absurd nature of organized religion that I completely agreed with. In fact, I have had issues with organized religion most of my life and appreciated that someone else apparently felt the same way I did and had the power to voice those opinions to millions of viewers.

Perhaps Smith's films speak to me because we are of a similar age and appear to share the same liberal sensibilities. But I think it goes beyond that. His films stay with me in some way because they are well written efforts that consistently speak to the human condition like no other contemporary filmmaker. In addition, part of Smith's success with his View Askew productions can be attributed to the continuity of the people behind the scenes and by casting talented actors in roles that, for some reason, do not always garner that acclaim that they are due. In any event, there is a certain magic to Smith's filmmaking that appears to be intangible and may never be duplicated.

John Kenneth Muir provides many keen insights into the films of Kevin Smith and devotes a chapter to each film. Information about the cast and crew, a brief synopsis and the backstory of each production make for fascinating reading. To the author's credit, he delivers an even handed account of Smith's highs and lows and the controversy that the writer/director has been involved with over the years. For instance, the religious furor surrounding Dogma, a joke that upset a well known gay organization and his well publicized encounter with an airline who insisted that he purchase two seats because of his weight/size. Of course, it will be Smith's filmmaking efforts that will be his legacy and the quality of his library speaks louder than any short lived controversy.