The finale to the Kevin Smith New Jersey Trilogy is well worth the wait. Even if you loathed the past two (Clerks, Mallrats), Chasing Amy will blow you away. Such a perfect blend of comedy and drama, it's the date movie that Billy Crystal seems permenately stuck on trying to, and failing to, create.
The story of a guy who falls in love with a lesbian who than falls in love with him is so 90's. Kevin Smith has set off a new genre of films: the straight person falling in love with a gay person (My Best Friend's Wedding, The Object of my Affection).
Joey Lauren Adams is such a stand-out. Her tiny girl voice seems so ironically perfect for the been there - done that lesbian. She has everyone in the room falling in love with her after she sings "Alive." She was nominated for a Golden Globe and deserved the nomination, but not the nod. Every time she cries it seems just slightly forced and it will be a matter of time before Adams perfects that loose end of her craft. The final scene though is so touching. Adams seems to be showing such pure emotion that you almost demand a sequel.
Ben Affleck and Jason Lee have both used this film as a starting point for what should be a stellar set of careers. Affleck is off and running with faggoty friend Matt Damon and Lee co-starred in the small budget (and smaller grossing) Kissing A Fool. Lee is the better of the two actors in this film and it will be just a matter of time before the rest of America realizes that although Affleck is good, Lee is great. Jason Lee's lines in this film will have you checking your pants for urine stains. He's that funny.
Kevin Smith has pushed the envelope of how great can you be before you make a financially colossal movie. He is the best modern day writer of our generation. Quentin Tarantino is too caught up with himself to realize, he's not as good as he thinks he is. Smith is a god. He knows the youth of America far better than Kevin Williamson (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer) does. Smith just lacks the critical acclaim. He gets noticed, but not by the right people.
Chasing Amy is funny, sad, and incredibly emotional. And the end shows just how failable man truly is. I give Chasing Amy an A.
