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Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, Dwight Ewell, Jason Mewes ... see more see more... , Kevin Smith , Matt Damon , Brian O'Halloran , Ethan Suplee , Carmen Lee , Casey Affleck , Guinevere Turner , Carmen Llywelyn

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 li... read more read more...ne 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. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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81% liked it

173,501 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

69 critics

R, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Kevin Smith

Release Date: April 4, 1997

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DVD Release Date: June 1, 2000

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Stats: 8,378 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (8,378)

  • jmanard52
    March 27, 2007
    jmanard52
    This is simply the best Kevin Smith movie imo. While many may disagree its the from the heart feel of this movie that makes it something special and has made Kevin Smith an amazing icon to me.
  • fb1672039553
    February 4, 2012
    fb1672039553
    Chasing Amy delivers brave, genuine, comically-rich and insightful dialogue and a great performance by Joey Lauren Adams. The character she plays is Godly (yes, with a capital G), so acutely aware and unashamed of herself and receptive to life around her. This is Kevin Smith's mo... read morest mature work that I've seen, maybe out to prove himself to his financial backers early in his career after going relatively bonkers with Mallrats. Whatever the reason, he proved he can deliver smart, intense drama along with the laughs.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 9, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Setting the independent film world a blaze with with his slacker classic Clerks and failing miserably in the studio system with Mallrats, Kevin Smith decided to get back to basics for the third film in what became his 'New Jersey Legacy.' If Clerks was his most honest work then C... read morehasing Amy is his most personal and most reflective. Shot with very little money, it's not the best-looking film Smith has ever made, but the performances carry it like clockwork. It has a particular sting and rings true on an emotional level that few films like it have ever done, with enough pathos for four more movies. I've always felt like that it was, and still is, a new age Woody Allen film. Human relationships askewed, but still incredibly relatable, is something that Kevin has always been good at, and he has never been better than with Chasing Amy... and in my estimation, hasn't topped it.
  • fb1664868775
    November 20, 2011
    fb1664868775
    The deepest and most meaningful trip into Kevin Smith's world.
  • ajv2688
    August 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    My least favourite movie from Smith. It's much too dramatic for the romantic comedy it's trying to be. Plus, I can't stand Adams for more than thirty minutes, she's so annoying. If you wished there were more drama in Kevin Smith's movies, you'll enjoy this.
  • CreedsDelight
    August 10, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    Banky Edwards: I'm not a tracer.

    This is a difficult one to talk about. On one hand, I really enjoyed the plot, the actors, and the writing. On the other hand, it has terrible pacing, which was simply annoying but as I mentioned, there are many great aspects making up for a very... read more convoluted pace. Anyways, Joey Lauren Adams, who was last seen in 'Mallrats', was stunning in probably her best performance. Adams' performance is very real, emotional, and at times funny. Affleck is good in [almost] every role he is in, so there is not much explaining here. Along with writing and directing, Silent Bob (Smith) delivers one of the best speeches in cinematic history, despite the situation. Ultimately, 'Chasing Amy' is a good film, but certainly not a great one. Recommended.

    Read more movie reviews at creedsdelight.com
  • stevenecarrier
    August 9, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    I absolutely loved "Chasing Amy." Looking back at "Clerks," it's hard to believe such a transcendent and observant film like this came from the same writer and director. Kevin Smith crafted a true zeitgeist film that is an unparalleled examination of sexual mores and modern relat... read moreionships. Candid and frank in both it's emotion and humor. Ben Affleck's performance may be the only weak spot in the film since his character is essentially just a stand-in for the audience. He is simply a reactionary, simple minded character. Joey Lauren Adams however is the films main star, next to Smith's sparkling, revolutionary screenplay. Adams hits all the right notes as a sexually confused yet strong young woman. Her emotional scenes are uncomfortable for all the right reasons- awkward anger, a bitter confidence about past mistakes."Chasing Amy" is an outstanding film with an unexpected and completely honest deconstruction of men and women.
  • blkbomb
    July 11, 2011
    blkbomb
    Banky: Since you like chicks, right, do you just look at yourself naked in the mirror all the time?

    Chasing Amy is something most comedies can't be. It's vulgar, funny, and yet insightful. It centers around love, be it gay or straight, and friendship. It's a really funny movie ... read morewith Kevin Smiths typical sense of humor and dialogue that you either love or hate.

    Ben Affleck is pretty good in this movie and it's probably his best performance as he has a reputation of not being the best actor around. Joey Lauren Adams is decent, but her voice is pretty annoying and her emotional outbursts in the movie aren't very believable. The rest of the cast is superb. Jason Lee and Dwight Ewell are both hilarious . Then there's the rest of Smiths normal cast. Silent Bob has some great dialogue about "Chasing Amy."

    All in all this is probably one of Smith's better movies, although I will never be able to like one more the Clerks. Chasing Amy is a great comedy/drama. Fans of Kevin Smith definitely can't be disappointed in this.

    Alyssa: I love you, I always will. Know that. But I'm not your fucking whore.
  • wildaly14
    July 5, 2011
    wildaly14
    This was kinda good. I liked it.
  • FrizzDrop
    June 2, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    Whenever lesbianism is featured in a love story, you can bet that there are going to be mistakes and inadequacies. Instead of handling the subject matter indelicately like the film The Kids Are All Right, Chasing Amy was very honest and multi-layered. Not just a poignant piece of... read more drama, Kevin Smith directed with his usual comedy flair, including much of his usual cast and Gen X wit from films like Mallrats and Clerks. The beginning holds the most interesting comedic aspects, introducing us to the characters and their connections to one another. When Holden's (Affleck) and Alyssa's (Adams) relationship burgeons into one of serious romantic intent, the entire film shifts. One minute we're watching another tongue in cheek "film" of Smith's, the next it's a serious relationship drama that calls sexuality of all people into question, and how we're evolving to accommodate the people we love. Sexual orientation plays a big role in all of this, but never burdens the film with being a societal standard that other such works have to live up. Still, they do, as even the Criterion Collection has added this to its collection. A commentary, but also a comedy, this is by far Smith's greatest accomplishment.

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman
February 3, 2009
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Smith isn't just fooling around anymore. Full Review

February 3, 2009
Hollywood Reporter

The third time out is the real charm for writer-director Kevin Smith.

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 3, 2009
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Neither PC nor crudely anti-PC, this tough and tender movie, like its characters, is prepared to take emotional risks, and the comic book milieu is deftly sketched in. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
September 5, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Amusing and appealing. Full Review

David Ansen
March 31, 2008
David Ansen, Newsweek

Instead of cool twenty-something irony, Smith startles us with raw emotional honesty. Full Review

Eric Brace
January 22, 2002
Eric Brace, Washington Post

Can a script exploring some truly deep questions about human sexuality and emotions be any shoddier and wooden? Will Miramax continue to fund one of the worst directors in the business? Don't stay tuned. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's a rude blast of gleeful provocation, a farce about emotional pain, a drama about sexual slapstick.

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Work of such fierce intelligence and emotional honesty that it blows away the competition when it comes to contemporary romantic comedy. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

While the surface of his film sparkles with sharp, ironic dialogue, deeper issues are forming, and Chasing Amy develops into a film of touching insights. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

This movie is about something, and the deeper we get into it, the more we realize how emotionally on-target the script is. Full Review

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Chasing Amy Trivia

  • Ben Affleck's brother starred with him in Good Will Hunting, Chasing Amy, and 200 Cigarettes. What is his name?  Answer »
  • Who portrayed Alyssa Jones in Chasing Amy?  Answer »
  • What sport was actor Jason Lee (Mallrats, Chasing Amy, My Name is Earl)known for before he started acting?  Answer »
  • Who played Allysa Jones in Chasing Amy?  Answer »
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