Search - Chasing Amy on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Adult Humor, Profanity Movie Release: 1997 DVD Release: 06/13/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 53 mins Studio: Miramax Members Wishing: 6 Genres: Comedy Drama, Romantic Comedy, Sex Comedy See Also: Chasing Amy, Chasing Amy [Blu-ray]

After a pair of films about hipster slackers, the work of writer-director Kevin Smith matured and gained critical respect with this low budget, independent comedy-drama about love, sex and the fine line between the two. Ben Affleck stars as Holden McNeil, a New Jersey comic book writer who is roommates with his best friend and professional partner, artist Banky Edwards (Jason Lee). Their hit comic book series, "Bluntman and Chronic," is loosely patterned after a pair of acquaintances, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (played by Smith), two characters already familiar as supporting players in several Smith films. Into Holden's life comes Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), a lesbian and fellow comic book creator who quickly becomes a close friend, although Holden is powerfully attracted to her. Eventually, Alyssa realizes that she is attracted to Holden as well and they begin a physical relationship, much to the consternation of Banky, whose ire over losing his best friend to a lesbian seems to border on romantic jealousy. After he learns something about Alyssa's sexual past, however, Holden's immature response to his new knowledge destroys both his romance with Alyssa and his friendship with Banky. Chasing Amy (1997) was the third film in what Smith referred to as his "New Jersey series," films set at least partly in the Garden State and featuring the Jay and Silent Bob characters. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Ben Affleck - Holden McNeil
Joey Lauren Adams - Alyssa Jones
Jason Lee - Banky Edwards
Dwight Ewell - Hooper

Chasing Amy benefits greatly from its release as a Criterion Collection title, once again proving Criterion is still the best game in town when it comes to supplement-heavy DVD. The anamorphic, 1.85:1 digital transfer has been supervised by cinematographer David Klein and makes the film look as good as a low-budget indie film can look on DVD. The Dolby Digital soundtrack fares well also, with the effect most apparent in the film's music. Most of the supplemental material is carried over from the Criterion laserdisc, except for a brief introduction to the DVD by director Kevin Smith himself. The commentary with Smith, producer Scott Mosier, actors Ben Affleck and Jason Mewes, associate producer Robert Hawk, Miramax executive Jon Gordon, and View Askew historian Vincent Pereira at times rivals the film for laughs and proves once again that Affleck should be featured on every commentary. The disc also features ten deleted scenes, including the original ten-minute opening cut from the film, as well as some humorous outtakes. All of the deleted scenes are introduced by Smith and members of the cast, and the introductions are as entertaining as the scenes themselves. The original theatrical trailer and a guide to the characters in the trilogy are also included. All in all, =Chasing Amy rivals Universal's =Mallrats disc for the most comprehensive Kevin Smith DVD on the market. ~ Oliver Thornton, All Movie Guide