Chasing Amy (MA 15+) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

Chasing Amy (MA 15+, 1997) Presented in 35mm Film by The Revival House Perth

Comic book artist Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) falls hard for fellow artist Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) after meeting her at a comic convention, only to discover she's a lesbian, complicating his growing feelings in ways he struggles to process. As Holden and Alyssa form a genuine, deepening friendship that gradually shifts into something more, their unexpected relationship forces both of them to confront their own assumptions about sexuality, identity, and love, while Holden's insecurities and possessiveness—fuelled partly by jealousy over Alyssa's past—threaten to unravel the fragile, unconventional connection they've built together. Complicating matters further, Holden's creative partner and close friend Banky (Jason Lee) struggles with his own discomfort watching their friendship transform into romance.

Director Kevin Smith delivers his most emotionally ambitious work, trading the broader comedy of his earlier films for a genuinely thoughtful examination of love, sexuality, and possessiveness. Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams bring raw vulnerability to Holden and Alyssa, grounding the film's frank conversations about sexuality and relationships in genuine emotional stakes rather than mere provocation. Smith's dialogue-driven approach, a hallmark of his View Askewniverse films, finds unexpected depth here, using extended conversations to explore how insecurity and possessiveness can poison even genuine connection. The film's candid treatment of sexual fluidity and identity was considered groundbreaking for mainstream American independent cinema at the time, while its unflinching examination of jealousy and emotional immaturity gives the romance genuine complexity beyond typical genre conventions.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Sunday, October 4th at 7:00PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: MA 15+ (Sexual references, High level coarse language)

Smith's most emotionally ambitious film explores love, identity, and possessiveness with genuine depth—experience this indie landmark on 35mm film.