Take Amy

I've seen most of Kevin Smith's movies, but one I hadn't watched until recently was Chasing Amy. It was something of a turning point for him, often cited by critics as the first time he reached above simple juvenile humor for something a little more emotional.

That said, he still of course stuffs the movie with his signature patter and vulgarity.

For those who haven't seen it, the movie follows Ben Affleck as his character falls in love with a woman who can't love him back -- she's a lesbian. But his efforts to "just be friends" with her serve only to frustrate himself and his roommate-and-co-worker, played by Jason Lee.

A lot of the movie works. It is funny throughout, and in particular the secondary characters pop, especially "sassy" friend Hooper X. The direct dialogue sets the right mood for uncomfortable laughter; it would have been interesting to watch this one in a theater with an audience.

That said, the lesbian aspect of the plot feels like a gimmick, tossed in there just to A) be controversial; and B) try to inject something unconventional into what is otherwise a very conventional romantic-comedy plot. (He loves her; she doesn't love him.)

It turns out that while this character, Alyssa, seems to be unequivocal about who she is in act one, that starts crumbling in act two and collapses altogether the more the movie advances. Before the movie is done, she no longer feels like a genuine character that's true to herself; she's a device, speaking and acting in ways that feel inauthentic just to progress the plot.

The jokes do keep coming at least. Jay and Silent Bob show up for a one scene cameo, where Kevin Smith gives probably his best performance in any of his movies. There are enough good things about the movie to keep it worthwhile overall, but not enough to cover up the fact that a large chunk of the movie feels false.

I rate it a B-. Not bad, but not Kevin Smith's best.