Rating: 
Summary: Caught a good one!
Review: Now this is Kevin Smith's most intelligent movie of his "Jersey Trilogy" of four other movies (Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back). Dogma could be seen as another intelligent movie, but more religious throughout. Chasing Amy is about love and gender issues, namely homosexuality. The way that Kevin Smith made this movie is terrific in the way that the script and lines are extremly relevant to reality. Ben Affleck plays a guy (a comic book drawer) who falls in love with a woman (played by Joey Lauren Adams, Kevin Smith's then girlfriend) who turns out to be a lesbian. And they find that the other had exactly what the other was looking for, and they fall in love eventually. However, I did feel that we were suddenly thrown into Ben's love for her without a real background or any real structure like in other movies, I dare say. So we see Ben, he sees Alyssa (Lauren Adams), he falls in love and breaks it to her during a rainy night in the car. That scene was the best of all, with a long line that Ben had to say to her. But as I said, I didn't feel any real weight for this to suddenly happen. But, things go well for a while and then when Ben hears that she had had sex with other men before (she IS a lesbian as he understands), things start to tremble down from there on. What Ben proposes in the end makes sense, which I won't reveal for those who have not yet seen the movie. Then of course we see Jay and Silent Bob, and in this movie Silent Bob actually speaks MORE that loud/foul mouthed Jay! And what he says, is wise like always. Jason Lee plays as Ben's comic book partner and he is against Ben's love for Alyssa and he does it well in the movie. Joey Lauren Adams is a good actress for this movie and her relation with Ben in the movie fits in well. This is not the best romantic comedy, but a good all-round choice for everyone, for this is his most intelligent and "serious" movie he's made so far. If you have seen this movie and like it, check out Kevin Smith's next movie "Jersey Girl", which he said would have a "Chasing Amyish" theme. In all, it's a very good movie worth to be seen by everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Kevin Smith at His Best
Review: Many people have by now heard of Kevin Smith and have scene all his movies in the New Jersey Trilogy (which is strangely in Five Parts). Whilst many fans prefer his goofier, juvenile work such as Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back and Mallrats, his most serious and adult film would definately have to be Chasing Amy. It is for this reason that I have to say that this is my favourite moive that he has made.Chasing Amy is also a very personal film for Smith, who based it on his own relationship with Joey Lauren Adams though more extreme as all good fables are. The lesson to learn makes this unique in Smith's films; most of them are there for humours sake whereas this one has something deep and meaningful for us to take away with us when the film is over. Ben Affleck give a terrific performance as Holden, as does Joey as Alyssa (you mave have heard of her in Clerks). However, the lighter moments are stolen by the ever-impressive Jason Lee who give a hilarious performance as the maybe-homosexual Banky. The most suprising moment of the film in the tale of "Chasing Amy", but I'll leave that surprise for the enjoyment of the first-time viewer. The Criterion DVD is very good with a lot of special features including a commentary that is hilarious (listen for the guy who says "F@#k DVD" and tell who you think said it!). All in all a great movie in a great package. Well worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny but slow
Review: A lot of my friends like this movie, however it does not appeal to me. This show talks about how ben affleck fall in love with a lesbian. Nice plot and funny lines. But somehow it is a bit slow and at certain times it is very draggy. Trust me, you might be watching it once and that is it. For me, this has no re-watch value.
Rating:
Summary: A great film.
Review: kevin smith is one of my favorite writers/directors, and with this movie, he may have sealed his position as my top favorite. chasing amy manages to combine drama and comedy while not doing either any injustice. the diologue is perfectly and expertly delivered and makes the movie really come alive. whether the scene be hilarious or intense, the actors really make you feel how the character is feeling. with the combonation of smith's excellent writing and the entire cast's supreme acting abilities, this movie comes alive in away you may not have thought possible. definately watch this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Smith's Best?
Review: Kevin Smith has quite a list of movies: "Clerks," his first (and funniest) which follows a day in the life of two underachieving convienience store slackers; "Mallrats," not quite as funny but still an entertaining movie (due in large part to the addition of Jason Lee) focusing on the lives of two dumped guys trying to get their girlfriends back; "Dogma," a hilarious satire on religion where two angels have found a loophole in God's handiwork; and of course "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," in which the two Jersey stoners must save their good names from the clutches of Hollywood, which is making a movie based on the comic book versions of themselves. This is no easy list to top. So how does "Chasing Amy" do it? First and foremost, it has fantastic characters. Holden, the main character, is a smart, witty, loyal, and persevering individual (and also the best role Ben Affleck has ever played). Banky (Jason Lee) is Holden's cynical, manipulative, but always loyal and protective partner. Alyssa Jones (played wonderfully by Joey Lauren Adams) is a smart, adventurous, unapologetic, and very conflicted woman whom Holden falls in love with. In a more minor role, Hooper LaMont (played hilariously by Dwight Ewell) offers quirky insight as the gay black guy who acts like a black panther whenever confronted by strangers. And let's not forget the dynamic duo, Jay and Silent Bob, who are on long enough for Silent Bob to give his best speech ever. Secondly, it offers plenty of nods to Smith's previous films. The best is a snippet of conversation between Holden and Jay (Holden: So, what are you guys doing, going to the mall? Jay: Dude, we gave that ... up years ago). Finally, the plot is flawless. Holden meets Alyssa, is immediately smitten, even after finding out she's a lesbian, and after a while she finally falls in love with him as well. This does not go well with Banky, and partly out of jealousy, partly out of loyalty, he finds information that suggests Holden may not be the first man Alyssa has been with. All this leads to a brilliant climax and one of the best endings in any movie, period.(Though some thought it was depressing, I thought it left hope). All in all, this is Smith's most complete work. Rent Clerks for laughs, Mallrats for fun, Dogma for thought provoking silliness, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back for just plain silliness. If you're looking for an all around great film, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: Kevin Smith's finest work
Review: Kevin Smith entered the scene in 1994 with the fabulous cult classic "Clerks," and his career took off from there. Using an incredible array of vocabulary and references in his scripts, he creates works that can only be described as excellent. In "Chasing Amy," Smith decorates his materpiece with a brilliant cast, intelligent writing, and directing that is so simple, it's a delight to watch. Every moment is captured with a sort of intense reality that may strike one as too frank and up front at first, but it's this sort of honesty that allows a film like this to thrive. The story revolves around a character named Holden (Affleck), who befriends Alyssa (Adams), and soon falls in love with her. Little does Holden know, however, that she is a lesbian, and thus, this creates a conflict between his best friend, Banky (Lee), and Holden himself. How does Holden deal with the passionate love he has for this girl, and at the same time mantain a strong friendship with Banky? The cast is incredibly talented, and couldn't have been replaced by anyone else. Jason Lee is absolutely stunning as the bitter best friend who takes his frusterations out on Alyssa herself. However, this film does carry an R rating for very good reason. The subject matter is very mature, and everything discussed is at times hard to swallow for a more sensitive audience. The movie is also very honest, and deals with issues such as homosexuality, and homophobia in a manner that is both realistically honest, and smart. Incredible film, and really does deserve Criterion status.
Rating:
Summary: Smith's best movie!
Review: This is just a great movie. Kevin Smith's best. I completely enjoyed this from the very beginning to the ending which I still don't get completely. I just don't get what, well forget it. I'm not going to give anything away. (And I would like to let you know you'll know what I mean after you see the flick) Ben Affleck plays Holden, a successful comic book artist along with his best friend Banky (played absolutely perfectly by the hilarious Jason Lee) At a comic book convention, Holden meets Alyssa (the adorable Joey Lauren Adams). He immediately falls in love. But there's one problem. She's gay. Directed by Kevin Smith(who also scripted)the film does a wonderful job alternating between pure hilarity to heartfelt drama. It creates a realistic atmosphere. I'm serious. You may not think this is possible after Mallrats, but he does. The DVD to Chasing Amy is part of the Criterion Collection. Criterion has done an absolutely perfect job on the DVD. Nothing more. If you don't have it already, go buy this movie. It's simply perfect. From direction, to story, to the performances, it's simply perfect.
Rating: 
Summary: Too many positive reviews ruined this movie for me...
Review: Chasing Amy is a unique (well, if you've never seen any Kevin Smith movies, that is), cynical, and witty look at how pathetic and disturbing most ''relationships'' are today. In a world where everyone has problems, we're all only human, and we all make mistakes, it seems that Alyssa has made far too many to justify her reasons.. which you'll discover within this 50% brilliant, 50% cliche of a movie. Yes, they use ''bad words'' and are all so sophisticated and sexually driven and experienced, but the characters portrayed in Chasing Amy are all pretty hard to tolerate, let alone buy into, other than Bankie (Jason Lee's realistic, charming, and truthful addition to the cast). Joey Lauren Adams' Alyssa, .... is shockingly flamboyant in her .......... ways, but is even more of a.. well.. disappointment in casting, as Rene Zellwegger's clone is just not a prime choice for this type of role. Yes, the movie is funny. Yes, the movie does have a good point behind it. Yes, I love, adore, and damn near worship Kevin Smith as the best of us movie lovers adamantly do. However, I am not so blinded by his popularity that I will succumb to what is, at best, a mediocre movie, and give it nothing but positive feedback. When, well, IF, you watch Chasing Amy, forget any reviews you have read or heard, and just go into it with no expectations, and you'll probably shrug it off as an average movie. You may even like it. Unfortunately, I was so pumped up about this movie, that I expected it to be everything that I had heard. Sadly, it was not, and I can only look back on it as an average movie. Something that I would watch to pass the time or when I feel like being annoyed by Joey Lauren Adams' voice.
Rating:
Summary: Chasing Amy is more than a "Get-The-Chick" Flick
Review: While many of Kevin Smith's previous movies have primarily revolved around the convoluted lives of Jay and Silent Bob, those people looking for a breath of twisted reality will be happy to know- IT IS HERE. Ben Afflek plays a heartening (and believable) role of a lovesick guy-unfortunately the woman of his dreams is Bi-sexual-which you will hear plenty about, in glorious detail, throughout the movie. If that's not your thing, the movie has some great pull to it in "straight" scenes between Joey Lauren Adams and Ben Afflek that make you say "I have felt like that!", or "I know JUST what he/she means!". I was expecting an Adam Sandler "Almost Funny" comedy, but overall this was one of my favorite movies.
Rating:
Summary: See, I told you
Review: All it really takes to cure a lesbian of her silly, silly ways is for her to find the right man. A sensitive guy, who likes comic books and kung fu movies and knows all five Star Wars movies back to front. A guy who might be a little bit overweight and who (frankly) doesn't have the widest acting range around, but who's just "a regular joe." I mean, what woman wouldn't go crazy over a guy like this? Thank you, Kevin Smith, and God bless you.
|
