Chasing Chasing Amy
Chasing Chasing Amy
7.494%
CHASING CHASING AMY explores the transformational impact of a ‘90s rom-com on a 12 year old kid from Kansas, coming of age and contending with queer identity. For young Sav Rodgers, the Kevin Smith cult classic, CHASING AMY, became a life raft. As Rodgers examines the film and its making as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cinema, he finds himself at a complicated crossroads.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 2, 2025
A really wonderful look at the complex space Chasing Amy occupies within our culture. Director Sav Rogers a transgender male recounts being obsessed with the film as a 17 year old and credits it with saving his life. He previous gave a TED talk detailing his experience that went viral. Sav sets out to make this documentary in part to pay tribute the film and the filmmakers but also to explore why it is controversial among the LGBTQ+ community. Sav interviews Kevin Smith, who offers context to how the characters and dialogue were conceived. We also get perspective of contemporary lesbian filmmaker Guinevere Turner (Go Fish). Having befriended Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier, she was part of the inspiration for the Amy character. Yet when Chasing Amy achieves critical acclaim she has to sort of watch this cis white male reap all kinds of accolades for telling a gay story when she’s been filming gay stories without garner near as much attention. It’s a really fascinating of how art can be completely recontextualized based on perspective. What is a life saving work of art to some, could be a hurtful non-affirming scar to others. Layer in the fact that Sav is filming and conducting interviews while coming out as trans and transitioning--the audience can actually witness Sav’s own perspective shift. But the biggest revelations come from Sav’s interview with Joey Lauren Adams. She really pushes back on the line of questioning. And she reveals how she does not look back on that period of her life very fondly. Her relationship and breakup with Kevin, having to be around Harvey Weinstein, (remembering the alleged Rose McGowan rape occurred at the Sundance festival that Chasing Amy premiered), and her treatment in the media and subsequent discourse of the film.
Chasing Chasing Amy turned out to be not at all like I expected and I really enjoyed it for that reason. It’s a fascinating exploration of our relationship with art--how they can differ based on perspective, how they can change over time with new context. Worth checking out whether you’re a Chasing Amy lover or detractor. Seen at Tribeca Film Festival 2023