by Joey Guerra
Entertainment Editor
Writer/director Kevin Smith is used to doing things his way. He put together his first film, the bitingly funny Clerks, by maxing out his credit cards to the tune of $27,575. His next outing, the scattershot Mallrats, received studio backing and a budget of $6 million (not to mention pseudo-bad girl Shannen Doherty). For his latest film, Chasing Amy, Smith decided to go back to basics.
"There was a definite reaction to the kind of film that Mallrats was," said Smith during a recent screening of his new film in Houston for a capacity crowd of college students. "(Chasing Amy) is kind of a reaction to Mallrats, especially a critical reaction. Mallrats kind of put a lousy taste in my mouth for big-budget filmmaking."
For Chasing Amy, a bittersweet and often humorous look at love that crosses genders and sexual orientation, Smith's budget was around $250,000 for a four-week shoot. He rounded up some of the actors from Mallrats whom he felt were not properly showcased in that film, including leads Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee.
Smith said the studio pushed for name actors, including Scream queen Drew Barrymore, pouty Pallbearer David Schwimmer and now-defunct talk-show host Jon Stewart. Smith pushed for his group, though, crediting their talents and adding that the film would have been harder to relate to with "name" actors on the big screen.
There are other definite Smith touches in Chasing Amy, including veering into much more dramatic and complex waters, mainly in relation to the sexual ambiguity and confusion that hounds Alyssa (Adams) regarding her strange attraction to Holden (Affleck). Smith also explores the relationship between Holden and Banky (Lee), whose friendship is put to the test by the unlikely romance.
"I just felt like it was time," said Smith, speaking over the phone during a hectic schedule. "I've done two films, and they were both comedic."
Chasing Amy has recently received much attention precisely because of its content. Gay and lesbian publications have both heralded the film because of its frankness and booed it because of its shallowness. Smith takes it all in stride.
"C'mon, man, I'm not speaking for the entire community. I'm speaking for one character," said Smith in defense of his film's frank screenplay. "This is how (Alyssa) feels."
Smith added that his favorite review was in the national gay and lesbian magazine The Advocate, which was not entirely positive but provided a fair opinion of the movie.
In regards to the audience Chasing Amy will play to, Smith said, "It's just like, whoever goes, goes. This movie, I think more than others, people can dig on. Anybody that has a heart can relate - or a heartbreak."
So, are there some semi-autobiographical touches in the film?
"There are elements," Smith admitted. "Holden is very much close to me."
Turning his head towards the future, Smith is currently dealing with two projects, including Dogma, his own take on Catholicism, and the script for the next Superman film (which will probably star Oscar winner Nicholas Cage).
"Superman will be the first comic-book film with real dialogue," said Smith proudly of the project, which will begin shooting in October and aim for a summer '98 release. "It was fun the entire time."
In between his successes, Smith said that he was offered a variety of "interesting" projects, including a Michael Jackson vehicle where the King of Pop morphs into a car and goes for a joyride with a kid.
Also permanently on the back burner is Rock 'n' Rollers Don't do Homework, where Guns N Roses frontman Axl Rose teaches a couple of teens that there's more to life than loud music. Needless to say, Smith took a pass on both of those gems and opted to chase Amy.
"I love it so much better than the other two," said Smith. If moviegoers are as perceptive as Smith, they'll think so too.