Okay but now I really want you to write about Chasing Amy because I remember loving it when I watched it as a 19 year old or so, but since then hearing/reading all the thinkpieces of the problematics. But also, isn't it kind of about a man figuring out that *he's* bi and that he actually wants to sleep with his friend? Am I misremembering that whole ending?
You are remembering correctly! The male bisexuality element is subtler and less personally relevant to me so I don't think about it as much, but Banky being in love with Holden and unable to deal with it is a huge part of why he sabotages the Holden/Alyssa relationship. And then there's the really subtle bit at the end where Holden sees Banky at the Comic Con and makes the "moment" gesture to him, implying ... something gay.
Anyway I strongly recommend rewatching and writing about it; I'm def gonna do a more full on essay about it here at some point. I've watched it a couple of times as an adult — I think the last time was about three years ago — and while some of the humor doesn't age well I think the core premise still holds up very well (and I stand by my belief that people who think it's problematic either haven't seen it or are intentionally misrepresenting it).
I remember feeling so queer-gatekept when my still-coming-out-to-myself teenage bi ass watched that movie and chattered about it enthusiastically to my then-lesbian-identifying older stepsister (now married to a dude fwiw) she went off about how problematic it was for the idea that all lesbians really needed is the right dicking (or however we were making that point in the 90s). I haven't rewatched it as an adult with the lens of societal biphobia; I clearly need to give it another go!
I'm very very curious to know how it hits you as an adult! I think it is a movie with SO MANY LAYERS, and the fact that people keep saying it means that lesbians secretly want dick when the movie is very very clear that Alyssa has a history of attraction to men and is a lesbian by choice and affiliation rather than inborn attraction drives me bonkers.
I've seen Kevin Smith at KCCC and he was a delight. A wonderfully honest person, and recognizes his faults. Chasing Amy had a profound effect on me too, for similar reasons, but also that anyone could start out one way, think they are firmly set in some position, idea or belief until an experience changes how you feel. It was a movie dedicated to exploration of love, self, and sexuality. It was a complex message with dick and fart jokes wrapped in a big blunt--which if you know anything about Smith, that's his best medium.
I suspect his daughter Harley has a lot to do with what he said on that episode of Degrassi.
Anyway - when anyone asks me what my favorite Kevin Smith movie is - It's Chasing Amy. Good choice. :)
Okay but now I really want you to write about Chasing Amy because I remember loving it when I watched it as a 19 year old or so, but since then hearing/reading all the thinkpieces of the problematics. But also, isn't it kind of about a man figuring out that *he's* bi and that he actually wants to sleep with his friend? Am I misremembering that whole ending?
You are remembering correctly! The male bisexuality element is subtler and less personally relevant to me so I don't think about it as much, but Banky being in love with Holden and unable to deal with it is a huge part of why he sabotages the Holden/Alyssa relationship. And then there's the really subtle bit at the end where Holden sees Banky at the Comic Con and makes the "moment" gesture to him, implying ... something gay.
Anyway I strongly recommend rewatching and writing about it; I'm def gonna do a more full on essay about it here at some point. I've watched it a couple of times as an adult — I think the last time was about three years ago — and while some of the humor doesn't age well I think the core premise still holds up very well (and I stand by my belief that people who think it's problematic either haven't seen it or are intentionally misrepresenting it).
I remember feeling so queer-gatekept when my still-coming-out-to-myself teenage bi ass watched that movie and chattered about it enthusiastically to my then-lesbian-identifying older stepsister (now married to a dude fwiw) she went off about how problematic it was for the idea that all lesbians really needed is the right dicking (or however we were making that point in the 90s). I haven't rewatched it as an adult with the lens of societal biphobia; I clearly need to give it another go!
I'm very very curious to know how it hits you as an adult! I think it is a movie with SO MANY LAYERS, and the fact that people keep saying it means that lesbians secretly want dick when the movie is very very clear that Alyssa has a history of attraction to men and is a lesbian by choice and affiliation rather than inborn attraction drives me bonkers.
I've seen Kevin Smith at KCCC and he was a delight. A wonderfully honest person, and recognizes his faults. Chasing Amy had a profound effect on me too, for similar reasons, but also that anyone could start out one way, think they are firmly set in some position, idea or belief until an experience changes how you feel. It was a movie dedicated to exploration of love, self, and sexuality. It was a complex message with dick and fart jokes wrapped in a big blunt--which if you know anything about Smith, that's his best medium.
I suspect his daughter Harley has a lot to do with what he said on that episode of Degrassi.
Anyway - when anyone asks me what my favorite Kevin Smith movie is - It's Chasing Amy. Good choice. :)