“That’s the most famous lesbian in the world.”

In a film, it’s always delicate to balance the personal with the universal, but Chasing Chasing Amy does both very well. Director Sav Rodgers recounts of how he watched Chasing Amy for the first time at 12-years-old, finding queer representation. The queer landscape in 1997 was quite different than it is now. The documentary does a great job of talking about how Kevin Smith and Rose Troche appeared at the Sundance scene at the same time and how Smith’s career took off, and the queer Troche’s did not (although Smith benefited from a conversation with her which he directly put into Chasing Amy). 

Rodgers dedication to his obsession for the film and yet retaining a respect for the material and actors is quite something. He was able to interview Amy’s star, Joey Lauren Adams, and to ask her questions that people had never asked her before. It was ultimately disturbing as she recounts Harvey Weinstein’s resistance to have her in the film and then immature boyfriend Kevin Smith. To Smith’s credit, he disowns Weinstein and regrets that his name is on the film. Adams talked about how Smith put her down during the relationship. To Smith’s credit again, it really seems like he has grown as a human being: being married for over 20 years and becoming vegan after suffering a widowmaker heart attack (the latter event was not discussed in the film). However, if anyone has suffered at the hands of an emotionally abusive partner, it is still hurtful to think of how Adams was treated by Smith, and really by the industry in general. Like Troche, she has almost been completely forgotten by Hollywood. 

Rodgers does a good job of portraying the reception of Chasing Amy by the queer community. Ultimately, it’s a film by a straight, white, cis man who explores the idea of a lesbian getting a boyfriend. Rodgers comes to term with this. We see him as he evolves over the years and forges a relationship with his girlfriend, Riley. 

If you’re a fan of Smith and/or LGBTQ cinema, it is definitely worth checking out. Full disclosure: not only am I a fan of both, but I love the tough issues the documentary did not shy away from.

Rating: 8/10