Chasing Amy: Kevin Smith

One of the most distinct characteristics of Kevin Smith's films is their frank and realistic dialogue. Yes, yes, I know that the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Kevin Smith's dialogue is its incredible profanity. For Smith, the use of profanity is an art form. But if you look beyond the profanity, you will find that Smith's dialogue is some of the most disarmingly honest in all of the cinema. His characters talk like REAL people. A perfect example of this can be found in his third film Chasing Amy. The scene in particular is when Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck), a comic book artist, and Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) a fellow lesbian comic book creator, have a frank conversation about the mechanics of sex on a playground. People who have seen this film know exactly what scene I am talking about. Holden doesn't understand how lesbians can have physical relations, so he asks Alyssa. They go on to discuss the technicalities of when and how somebody loses their virginity and what counts as "making love." Their conversation is so honest and real that it seems shocking that any studio would allow it into a movie. And therein lies the heart behind Kevin Smith's films. Yes, he is a champion of low-brow comedy and profanity. But they are just flavoring. Smith's films are about people. His characters are frequently unhappy with their place and station in life. They desperately desire to move forward, but they either can't or don't know how. They seek solace in relationships, often with the wrong people and even worse, for the wrong reasons. Chasing Amy is about both. Holden falls desperately in love with Alyssa. Of course, this is difficult due to her being a lesbian. But somehow, she falls in love with him as well. But it is soon revealed that Alyssa has had a very, very promiscuous past, even earning the high school nickname "fingercuffs" for a tryst she once had with two boys...at the same time. Holden grapples with devastating feelings of inadequacy over this news and confronts Alyssa. Alyssa tries to explain that who she was and what she did doesn't matter because she has finally found happiness in Holden. But that isn't enough for Holden. He ends their relationship, unable to deal with her past. He eventually comes to realize his mistake and tries to get Alyssa back. But it may be too late. Smith's unflinching look at relationships was widely praised by both audiences and critics. Chasing Amy was supposedly only two votes away from being nominated for an Academy Award. It remains one of Smith's most emotional and personal films. Stunning in its realism and honesty, Chasing Amy represents for many the high point in all of Kevin Smith's career.

8/10