The Criterion Collection
(1997)

• Audio Commentary by Cast and Crew
• Ten Deleted Scenes and Outtakes
• Dolby Digital (AC3) Surround Sound
• Original Theatrical Trailer

Notes: The third installment in director Kevin Smith’s “New Jersey Trilogy,” “Chasing Amy” follows the tumultuous love affair between a young comic artist (Ben Affleck) and the beautiful woman he loves (Joey Lauren Adams). There’s one little hitch however…she’s gay. Best known for his critically-praised indie feature “Clerks”, Kevin Smith has become one of Hollywood’s most influential young filmmakers (even though he lives in New Jersey). The strength of his writing compelled many to proclaim him the upcoming king of independent filmmaking.

That is, until a little sophomore picture called “Mallrats” hit theaters. To say the film was lambasted is to go easy on it. The Prince of Indie was quickly chastised as a disgrace to the throne and dismissed by many of the same people who had built him up.

When “Chasing Amy” beamed onto the screen at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, it was obvious that the East Coast filmmaker did, in fact, have a special gift for storytelling. Though some were critical of the message that a gay woman could be turned straight by the right guy, most found the writing and acting to be on an above average par.

The performances by Joey Lauren Adams and Ben Affleck are more than just a little bit responsible for the high praise. Both put a great deal of passion and emotion into a pair of roles that could very easily have fallen short of the mark in the hands of less able actors.

The inevitable return of Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (director Smith) is among the film’s many great gems. After spicing up “Clerks” and taking their lumps in “Mallrats,” many were happy to see the stoner pair back in top form–spouting obscene and thought-provoking tales while eating bagels and smoking cigarettes.

At its heart, however, is a tale of insecure love through the eyes of three very different people. Smith has called the film his most personal project and, in many ways, it shows. Moreover, perhaps, it shows that Smith’s filmmaking is something special and can shine under the right circumstances for the right studio.

The Criterion Collection special edition of “Chasing Amy” is one of the good ones. Besides a total of 10 deleted scenes, there are outtakes, the original trailer and commentary by director Smith and Co. The package also contains a map of the “New Jersey Trilogy” — complete with detailed info on the players of all three features.