Kevin Smith says he’s not a fan of Chasing Amy Star Ben Affleck is ad-libbing in the film and revealed an instance about the film’s marketing that caused the pair to clash. Chasing Amy is Smith’s third film and was released in 1997. In the film, Affleck plays a comic artist named Holden McNeil, who falls in love with a lesbian named Alyssa Jones (Joy Lauren Adams).
While talking with EWSmith talked about how Affleck loves to ad lib, and did so many times while filming Chasing Amy. Smith, who was also the screenwriter of the film, then told the actor to stick to the lines written for Holden in the script. Smith also joked about how he told Affleck to save his ideas for his own script, and how he later won an Oscar for it. Good luck hunting. Smith’s full quote about Affleck’s ad-libbing can be found below:
“Ben Affleck loves to ad-lib and he ad-libs like crazy.” [Chasing Amy]. I said, ‘Look dude, I can’t stand it. You are always ad-libbing. Like, don’t do it, don’t make dialogue. Just do the script as written. If you really want to make s— and say things, save all that s—, put it in your own f—ing script one day. And he did, and he won an Oscar.”
Smith also shared that Affleck isn’t a fan of the movie’s poster, which is just a black and white image of Adams’ Alyssa Jones. According to Smith, Affleck did not like that he was not featured on the poster, despite Holden being the main character of the film. Smith then told Affleck that the reason Adams was on the poster was because the movie was called Chasing AmyDespite how Adams’ character is actually named Alyssa.
The film’s title is a reference to a girl that Quiet Bob (played by Smith himself) talks about in a monologue to Affleck later in the movie. Although Affleck did not get to appear on the Chasing Amy poster, Smith said that the next poster with Affleck was Good luck huntingwhich was also released in 1997.
What sticking to Smith’s script meant for Chasing Amy
Smith has a very distinct writing style
As Smith’s third film after 1994’s Clerks and 1995s MallratsThe filmmaker’s style would be one of the big draws of Chasing Amy. Just like his other two films, Chasing Amy Uses Smith’s distinct crude humor. Smith also brings heavy dramatic and heartfelt moments to his films. Chasing Amy Allowing Smith to focus more on drama than his other two filmsAnd showed what he can still bring as a filmmaker. This led to Chasing Amy Always considered one of Smith’s best movies.
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Our take on Smith and Affleck stick to chasing Amy’s script
Both Smith and Affleck have had successful writing careers
Since Chasing Amy Was celebrated as one of the highlights of Smith’s career, it was the right choice to keep the film in his style. As the third film in Smith’s View Askewniverse, sticking to Smith’s script also gives the universe consistency established in his first two movies. Smith and Affleck have also returned to revisit Holden McNeil since Chasing Amy. Affleck later reprized the role in Jay and Silent Bob strike back (2001) and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019).
In addition to Good luck huntingAffleck co-wrote the screenplays for gone baby gone (2007) and the city (2010), which he also directed. While Affleck did not appear on the poster of Chasing AmyThe film’s DVD and Blu-ray covers featured him, as well as Adams, Smith, Jason Lee and Jason Mewes.
Source: EW