Chasing Chasing Amy

The movie Chasing Amy was a film ahead of its time in 1997. Even though it has become a staple of Kevin Smith’s radical film undertakings, there is a lot of debate over how the film would be interpreted if made by today’s standards. But there is merit in the message of Chasing Amy, especially to filmmaker Sav Rodgers. In Chasing Chasing Amy, Rodgers reopens and reintroduces the iconic film to the proverbial spotlight — trying to figure out the dichotomy of this film and how it is so loved yet so hated. And, in turn, Rodgers finally gives this film the ending that it truly deserves. 

In childhood Sav Rodgers found himself into all things Ben Affleck. This especially included the movie Chasing Amy and Affleck’s character Holden McNeil. For Sav, the film helped him through childhood and trying to understand and identify his own sexuality. But this is now the 2020’s, which is a vastly different landscape than that of the 1990’s. And in the 90’s, Chasing Amy told the story of an almost unheard-of dynamic: boy meets girl who likes girls….and they fall in love for a time. Ultimately, it told the story of Holden (Ben Affleck) and his growing attraction to the blond, bold Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams). While Holden eventually professes his feelings to Alyssa, she is initially hesitant but then comes around to the idea of a relationship. Chasing Amy pushed the boundaries of film at the time, even though there were more LGBT-friendly films made prior to it. So, how did the movie become the one that got the spotlight? 

Years later Sav’s mission to understand how the legacy of Chasing Amy is viewed today led not only to interviews with cast members Jason Lee (Banky) and Joey Lauren Adams (Alyssa), but meeting the director/writer himself Kevin Smith (Silent Bob). Through their interviews, along with other filmmakers, fans and LGBTQIA+ community members, Sav creates the narrative that has us questioning: how would a movie like Chasing Amy hold up today? And, more importantly, how do people feel about Chasing Amy now with the LGBTQIA+ community having more representation in film? 

Director Sav Rodgers is not afraid to make us question and get uncomfortable with Chasing Chasing Amy. He’s also not afraid to put one of his favorite filmmakers Kevin Smith into the hot seat and delve into the complex story of Holden and Alyssa and how that would play out in today’s world. As a New Jerseyan and Kevin Smith fan, I have found that Chasing Amy left me with so many questions…and even some concerns on the portrayal of LGBTQIA+ characters. How cavalier Banky became in conversations about Alyssa’s sexuality and sexuality in general. The notion that if you are somewhat hostile and snarky towards someone’s sexual leaning that you are secretly just like them. And, especially, how Chasing Amy fared after everything came out about Harvey Weinstein, who helped produce the film. Rodgers takes all these topics on with tact and grace…and a little bit of geeking out as he meets his idols and gets to grill them for the answers he is seeking. Ultimately, it is those answers that somewhat sour Sav’s experience of watching Chasing Amy…despite its impact on him growing up.  

While director Sav Rodgers truly pushes to the heart of the story behind Chasing Amy and how it was Kevin Smith’s personal “love letter” to his then-girlfriend Joey Lauren Adams, the documentary Chasing Chasing Amy takes on a whole new narrative. Sure, the interviews were compelling and Sav taking the helm as filmmaker/interviewer/occasional narrator really made me develop a deeper appreciation for LGBTQIA+ filmmaking as a whole….But Sav’s personal journey is the real story. Craftily woven through interviews and conversations in the documentary, a larger narrative takes focus: Sav’s relationship with his now-wife, Riley. And their story begins to take on characteristics of Holden (Sav) and Alyssa (Riley) with a twist….It is Holden who changes and grows into his authentic self with the love and support of his Alyssa. And hopefully, just hopefully….they get their Happily Ever After.