Story Line: Buddies and business partners Holden (Affleck) and Banky (Lee) are the artists behind Bluntman And Chronic, an adult comic book with a growing readership. When Holden falls for fellow comicbook artist Alyssa (Adams), who is a lesbian, he persists in dating her despite Banky’s warning that he’s risking their friendship.

Bottom Line: Director Smith bounces back from poorly receivedMallrats with an origianl look at life and love among hip young urbanites — actually Jerseyites — struggling in lower manhattan and its environs. These are Smith’s Clerks idlers five years later, when adulthood can no longer be avoided. Although Holden’s life does indeed fall apart as the effervescent Alyssa upsetes all the rules. Chasing Amy presents the young man’s highs and lows as a vital part of emotional growth. A high-profile theatrical release and a slew of press guarantee this one to be a hot renter from the start. One caution: The sex talk is couched in frank street language and may shock some sensibilities.

— Andy Wickstrom (Executive Editor)