by Joey Guerra
Entertainment Editor
Who woulda thought that the guy behind films like Clerks and Mallrats would churn out one of the frankest, most refreshing films about sex and sexuality in recent memory?
Leave it to writer/director Kevin Smith.
After hitting independent film lovers' funny bones with the surprise favorite Clerks and misfiring with the Shannen Doherty-starrer Mallrats, Smith is in top form with Chasing Amy, an immensely entertaining film that takes a candid and open look at sex and love - gay, straight or otherwise.
Smith has concocted a telling screenplay and assembled a first-rate cast of actors to expertly nail the laugh-out-loud jokes and aggressive innuendoes. A lot of Chasing Amy's language and text is raunchy (including hilarious bits on the secret sexual attraction between Archie and Jughead), but Smith constructs it in a way that is often alluding to something more, such as insecurities or fears in characters. And, of course, there are plenty of laughs.
Best friends Holden (Ben Affleck) and Banky (Jason Lee) are enjoying sweet success as the creators of "Bluntman and Chronic," a cult comic book that is a favorite among serious collectors. It is at a convention that Holden meets the charming and bubbly Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams), and he becomes convinced that she is his one and only soul mate.
All seems to be going well, at first, despite Banky's protests at another potential heartbreak for his pal. Holden and Alyssa talk, walk, joke and eat at late-night diners together. A friendship develops until Alyssa drops a bomb - she is a lesbian.
Initially shattered, Holden continues to pursue the friendship with even deeper feelings. Alyssa, while long-set and secure in her sexuality, begins to find herself attracted to Holden as well. What eventually develops, before and after the film's first "climax," is a genuinely surprising set of events that comment on love and all its messy, mind-boggling moments.
While Holden's claim of love for Alyssa seems to come without prior warning and comes too soon to be truly convincing, the rashness of it all seems to fit in with the whole scheme of things after a while.
Smith's point seems to be that love is not always sure or definite, but spontaneous and unconcerned with any sort of rules.
Films like Threesome and The Doom Generation bear similarities to Smith's foray into l'amour, but neither is as poignant or effective as Chasing Amy. Smith retains some deft comic moments comparable to the humor in Clerks, to be sure (an early bit relating Star Wars and gentrification is hilarious), but never before has he worn his heart so freely and eloquently on his sleeve.
Smith gets a lot of mileage out of his young cast, including Affleck as the hopelessly straight Holden. His reactions and afterthoughts are at times aggravating, but there is truth in his nuanced, dead-on performance.
Lee provides plenty of comic relief as Banky, Holden's partner in crime who looks out for his friend with a little too much vigor. While Banky seems to be trying to save the comic-art partnership, his deeper feelings for his friendship for Holden also create some interesting exchanges.
As Hooper, a fellow comic-book creator who uses a militant black stance as a facade to sell more comics, Dwight Ewell becomes much more than a token gay black character. Many actors would have taken the opportunity to camp it up with a part like this, but Ewell shines in a relatively minor role and allows it to become a showcase for his talents.
Adams, though, gives the film's most powerful and complex performance. As Alyssa, she achieves a raw intensity that burns off the screen and radiates a glowing sexuality. Adams is especially outstanding in one particular scene in the rain, and Smith wisely uses this moment to voice stupid stereotypes heterosexuals have about gays and lesbians.
And never fear, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) are back with more commentary on the mysteries of life. The scene in a coffee shop with Holden is a filth-filled, laugh-out-loud highlight, and the surprisingly eloquent Silent Bob chooses to break his silence and takes this time to explain the mysterious meaning behind the phrase "chasing Amy."
Smith also wisely chooses to explore the unique and offbeat relationship between Holden and Banky. How many times has a love interest come between you and your best friend? Instead of pandering to tired plots about jealousy and affairs between buddies, though, Holden and Banky constantly battle with the situation, not wanting to lose their friendship. But with Holden's unshakable attraction to Alyssa, the scene becomes extremely heated.
Chasing Amy isn't a "straight" film any more than it is a "gay" film. Smith's goal was to create a piece that explored as many sides of as many issues as possible, and he has succeeded in creating a portrait that explodes off the screen.