Kevin Smith starred within the 1997 LGBTQ+ film Chasing Amy and invited “ “essentially the most well-known lesbian on the earth” Ellen DeGeneres to its screening. However she sadly walked off mid-premiere. Within the lately launched documentary Chasing Chasing Amy by filmmaker Sav Rodgers, Smith recalled the anecdote.
The actor stated he bought the “largest blowback” after studying that the previous discuss present host and her then-partner Anne Heche went for the premiere however left within the first half. “And us being like, ‘Effectively, that is essentially the most well-known lesbian on the earth. We simply misplaced her. Meaning we’re by no means getting on The Ellen Present,’ ” Smith added.
Their concern was legitimate contemplating DeGeneres was making headlines for popping out of the closet the identical 12 months Chasing Amy was launched. The movie featured Ben Affleck as Holden McNeil, a comic-book author and artist who falls in love with fellow comic-book author Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams).
Regardless of being a lesbian Alyssa reciprocates Holden’s emotions however issues go south when the latter learns that the previous has had relationships with different males earlier than him. On condition that the movie was launched within the late 90s, it had many insensitive and problematic jokes.
The story instructed via Holden’s lens featured “harsh terminology” from characters just like the homophobic Banky (Jason Lee). Within the latest documentary, Smith displays on the movie’s controversial nature and says he understands why folks from that group may not just like the movie to this present day.
“Completely. Consider me, I’ve had 22 years to get used to that. I bought used to that on the f—ing first week it got here out. There have been some folks … who have been upset,” Smith stated. Nonetheless, damaging rankings apart, this movie is considered one of Smith’s most beloved movies with an 87% Rotten Tomato score.
The movie additionally gave a much-needed enhance to Smith’s profession on the time. “So you bought me needing to do one thing to remain on this enterprise, or else we have been out. That is a giant a part of the place [Chasing Amy] comes from,” the actor added.