Chasing Amy (R)
Dated romantic comedy wrong for all kids.
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Seen the movie?
Movie details
- Studio: Miramax
- Running Time: 113 minutes
- Release Date: 01/23/1997
- Video/DVD Release Date: 06/13/2000
- Genre: Comedy
- MPAA Rating: R
- MPAA Explanation: strong graphic sex-related dialogue, language, sexuality and drug content
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie deals with sexuality. The primary plotline is a friendship-turned-romance between Holden and Alyssa, who is introduced as a lesbian. There are numerous conversations detailing characters' sexual practices and fantasies. Characters drink, smoke, have sex, use drugs, gay-bash, and get in fights.
Families can talk about issues of gender and sexuality. The film raises a number of interesting questions about sexual behavior and identity. Does Alyssa's affair with Holden undermine her identity as a lesbian? How does her affair alienate her from her community? Holden's reaction to information about Alyssa's past ultimately destroys their relationship. How might Holden have dealt with his feelings more productively? Is there a double standard about the amount of sexual experience that's acceptable for men and women?
Families can talk about issues of gender and sexuality. The film raises a number of interesting questions about sexual behavior and identity. Does Alyssa's affair with Holden undermine her identity as a lesbian? How does her affair alienate her from her community? Holden's reaction to information about Alyssa's past ultimately destroys their relationship. How might Holden have dealt with his feelings more productively? Is there a double standard about the amount of sexual experience that's acceptable for men and women?
Message
Social Behavior:
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
The comic book "Bluntman and Chronic" is about two anti-superheroes who use drugs.
Violence
Sex
Characters engage in multiple explicit discussions about sex and sexuality.
Language
Very strong language.
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Carly Kocurek
Holden and his business partner and childhood friend Banky Edwards (Jason Lee) are enjoying the success of their comic Bluntman and Chronic when Holden falls head over heels for fellow comic artist Alyssa. Faced with the information that Alyssa prefers women, Holden remains undeterred, and the pair forms a close friendship that ultimately crosses the line between platonic and romantic.
Is it any good?
CHASING AMY is an age old story: boy meets girl, boy falls head over heels for girl, boy discovers girl has no interest in him. In this case, the twist is that Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) is a lesbian. Although smart for its time, the movie has not aged particularly well, and subsequent films from other directors have dealt more intelligently with the often blurry boundaries of sexual identity. This film deals with adult themes that should definitely be taken into consideration before allowing kids to view it.
Director Kevin Smith's atypical romantic comedy follows the relationship between Holden and Alyssa, while also entertaining an interesting discussion about the ostensibly straight male friendship between Holden and Banky. The movie is part of Smith's series of films focusing on characters living in New Jersey, but is definitely not his sharpest work. The acting is overall fine, but Adams' performance as Alyssa often makes her seem weepy and weak.
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Parents and kids say
All Reviews
There are 2 reviews.
Age 5+
Posted on 12/07/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Adult Reviews
There are 1 reviews.
Age 5+
Posted on 12/07/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Kids Reviews
There are 1 reviews.
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