Disney / Buena Vista | 1997 | 113 mins. | Rated R
After the unexpected success of Clerks, Kevin Smith became the new “wonder kid” of Hollywood. His follow-up film, Mallrats had a staggering budget of $6 million dollars and some well know cast members including Beverly Hills 90210’s Shannen Doherty. Unfortunately, the film was a disappointment, with a box office take of just over $2 million. Down but not out, Smith’s third film, Chasing Amy took him back to his independent film roots. Working with a budget of just $250,000—all Smith could get after refusing to cast David Schwimmer, Drew Barrymore, and John Stewart in a film he considered deeply personal, and had written for the then largely unknown Ben Affleck.
With Chasing Amy, Kevin Smith effectively combines adult humor with a well written tale about relationships. Ben Affleck and Jason Lee star as Banky and Holden, comic artists that draw “Bluntman and Chronic.”. While participating in a discussion at a comic con, Hooper (Dwight Ewell), a longtime friend of Holden and Banky, introduces the two to Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), another comic book artist. The four go out to a bar, where Holden soon realizes he really likes Alyssa. However, any hopes of a relationship suffer a serious blow when another visit to a bar reveals that Alyssa is a lesbian. Despite the revelation, the two continue to hang out, and develop a deep friendship.
Holden’s friendship with Amy puts a strain on his relationship with Banky. Banky can’t figure out why Holden is spending so much time with a girl who’s gay; the way he sees it, there’s no reason to be friends with her. When Holden confesses his love to Amy, she can’t resist. The path to true love is never smooth, especially when the lovers are hindered by personal baggage. Their initial happiness is soon marred by the anger of their friends and a dark secret that once unearthed refuses to be reburied.
The film builds to an ending that pits friend against friend, explores sexual identity and the nature of love. Chasing Amy will have you Laughing and crying, as it takes you through the highs and lows of friendship and love. While a few gags fall flat, Kevin Smith’s most personal work remains funny, exploratory, dramatic and a true indie classic.
This was a low budget film, so the Blu-ray transfer is far from top-notch. The 1080p/VC-1 transfer is extremely soft, and noise reduction has done a lot to hamper the overall look of the film. Faces look smeared, and edge enhancement is present throughout. That being said, the high-definition transfer has brought some improvements to the film. Colors have received a boost; black levels are fairly well resolved overall clarity still represents a step up from the DVD’s presentation. I didn’t detect any significant artifacting, banding, or aliasing. Regardless, it could look a lot better than it does here.
Chasing Amy’s DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is nothing special. Disney’s lossless mix is often a flat, front-heavy affair that doesn’t have a whole lot of juice behind it. Dialogue is intelligible, but prioritization remains shaky. Ambient noise pays little respect to voices, effects are sometimes accompanied by air hiss, and the film’s music doesn’t have the presence it’s had on other high definition Kevin Smith releases. Rear speaker activity is subdued, LFE output is humble, normalization is spotty, and dynamics lack the crystal clear punch they need. The soundtrack for Clerks, though it has its issues, is far more immersive.
Comprised largely of exclusive content, the Blu-ray edition features an all-new audio commentary, a newly produced high definition documentary, a conversation between Smith and Adams, a solid Q&A, and other previously released DVD extras.
• Newly Recorded Audio Commentary: Writer/director Kevin Smith and producer Scott Mosier provide a solid track. This “technical commentary” isn’t all business. Smith and Mosier routinely drift off subject, missing entire scenes because they’re chuckling their way through a story. They do touch on quite a few key sequences and tricky shots, as well as elements of the script and Smith’s development of the characters, but it’s clearly crafted for the View Askew faithful who love to hear the director deliver his patented jabs and jokes.
• Tracing Amy (HD, 82 minutes): This newly produced exclusive is an absolute must-see. It not only provides an overview of the production, its shaky start, the many challenges that accompanied a $200,000 budget, and the various hangups and conflicts that arose during the shoot, it examines the film’s lasting appeal, the cast’s investment in their characters, and Smith’s continued commitment to his original vision.
• Was It Something I Said? (HD, 18 minutes): Smith and Adams sit down for a conversation about Chasing Amy and its finale, their personal relationship, their eventual falling out, and their thoughts on the film’s legacy and staying power.
• 10 Years Later Q&A (SD, 28 minutes): Smith, Adams, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Dwight Ewell, Jason Mewes, and Scott Mosier participate in a candid, Q&A that earns its fair share of laughs.
• Deleted Scenes (SD, 25 minutes): While not as expansive or hilarious as the countless deleted and extended scenes included with some of Smith’s other films, the ten cuts in this collection are entertaining nonetheless.
• Outtakes (SD, 5 minutes): An amusing series of crackups and line flubs.
• Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2 minutes)
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