Post by StevePulaski on Aug 9, 2010 23:03:27 GMT -5
Holden and Alyssa on the swingset in Chasing Amy.
Rating: ★★★★
NOTE: Upon a necessary, if belated rewatched, I now have a few additional, more personal words to share about Chasing Amy. Check it out on Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/stevepulaski/film/chasing-amy/#
Kevin Smith is a genius when it comes to movies. Everything I've seen with him I'm a fan of and I like. Somethings I don't like as much, but I'm so into him a Front Row Steve will be made for him in this month. Chasing Amy is the third masterpiece in a row that Kevin Smith did right after the poorly received Mallrats and the acclaimed Clerks. Both movies I enjoy and are on my list of favorites and so is this one. This movie has Clerks style dialogue, a brilliant cast, and an excellent story. Only shot with an advanced 16mm called Super16 than blown up to 35mm, it may not look better than newer films, but sure is way better than a lot of them. A classic Comedy and a fine Romantic love story.
Kevin Smith has blown my mind with dialogue. Hes a genius when it comes to large conversations in movies. Whether dirty or just plain out of the ordinary, he can do it. Give him two or more characters, a setting, and a topic, and he'll turn it into a five minute talk about whatever the hell comes up. Clerks of all his films has the funniest dialogue. To date and since 2006, Clerks has been my favorite movie and I'm willing to bet it will stay my favorite forever. One of the first R rated films I watched and whenever I watch it back I pick something up I never caught before. Its a kind of movie I watch it at least two times a year and never get tired of it. Its that kind of movie.
Chasing Amy's plot is different from Kevin Smith's previous work it's a serious love story and sort of turns away from the buddies goofing around at the same time stays with it has a romantic story brings into play. Holden and Banky (Affleck and Lee) are two comic book writers whose friendship is effected when Alyssa Jones (Adams) walks into Holden's life and the two develop a close bond. Holden is crushed when Alyssa reveals she is a lesbian, but its not stopping him from still trying to maintain a relationship. But when Holden uncovers secret nicknames and such from Alyssa's past. His relationship is on the rocks. Not only with Alyssa, but his friendship with Banky is also starting to fade as all Holden starts talking and caring about is Alyssa.
Not only having a great concept. Chasing Amy does a brilliant keeping in sync with the "View Askew" storyline. Alyssa Jones is the sister of Heather Jones who walked in the Quick Stop in Clerks when Dante is getting fined. As well as Rick Derris being brought up numerous times who was in the Quick Stop at the same time with Heather. Caitlin Bree from Clerks is mentioned as well by Alyssa when they had an encounter which I wont get into.
Some dialogue in the movie, is very interesting and can almost span sometimes for half an hour which is why I like Smith's early work. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is referenced by a lot of people as their favorite KS movie. Not mine. Though still appreciating it, I feel that it was too Hollywood and that Vulgar was the last great KS movie. Nowadays I feel he does what he thinks would sell rather than his first movies he did with a rock bottom budget where he was working independently and had more freedom. This movie disappoints in no way and having the DVD be from Criterion Collection adds to the fun of the entire film all around.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, Dwight Ewell, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Brian O'Halloran, and Matt Damon. Directed by: Kevin Smith.