“I find it to be authentic to the ‘straight white man falling in love with a queer woman’ community.” – Guinevere Turner

Ever since I discovered Sav Rodgers’ TED Talk about how watching “Chasing Amy” saved his life, and announcing “Chasing, Chasing Amy” – I have been waiting for this incredible documentary! 

While I don’t feel even remotely the same way about Ben Affleck as Sav does (my crushes were reserved for Jason Lee AND Joey Lauren Adams), I do have a similar story of realizations that happened when I sat down in the theater to watch Kevin Smith’s latest flick. As an only-child, Gen X kid who was somewhat sheltered, I didn’t have a firm grasp on what being queer meant; I had just a few gay friends in my 20s, and the topic of bi-sexuality never entered our conversations. 

Already a Smith fan, “Chasing Amy” quickly became one of my absolute favorite films, and helped me to realize that me liking both men and women was actually a real thing – not a “phase” as most people liked to tell me; not something I would “grow out of” or “get over” – it was really a core part of myself that made me, well, “me.” I felt seen in a way I never had before. 

“Chasing Chasing Amy” does an amazing job of examining the problematic elements of the film’s story arc, as well as getting a lot of info on the genesis of the script, and most importantly, detailing Sav’s journey of discovery throughout the entire process. 

And while the doc does include lots of screen time with Kevin Smith plus interviews with Jason Lee and Joey Lauren Adams, Sav elevates LGBTQ+ voices to discuss the problems inherent with a straight male telling the story of a queer woman. I was thrilled to see Guinevere Turner (“Go Fish,” “The Watermelon Woman,” and so many more great films!) speak about the film, and learn that her close relationship with Smith’s Producing partner Scott Mosier was the genesis of the story – and how that blended into Smith’s own relationship with Lauren Adams. 

Rogers expertly blends everything in the film into a stunning narrative, also leaving room for some brutally honest and thought-provoking revelations. No matter how you feel about “Chasing Amy” itself, ALL sides of the story are told in this doc. 

“Chasing Chasing Amy” will be available on demand on December 17, 2024 – I HIGHLY highly highly recommend you check it out.