Kevin Smith’s Relationship Advice

Chasing Amy as Romance for Realists

This review isn’t about Clerks. Someday there will be a review about Kevin Smith’s Clerks (and the sequels) but today is not that day, but if I didn’t watch Clerks way back when I was working retail (those years spent in retail sometimes feel like a previous life) then I probably wouldn’t have sought out Chasing Amy. Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and I got to thinking about doing reviewing a book or movie about relationships. Chasing Amy (first viewed oh so many years ago), was the first ‘relationship’ movie I could really identify with (although there is some interesting relationship advice in Clerks worth discussing at a later date). Some elements of Smith’s 1997 movie may be a bit dated in 2026, but the core message of the movie still holds true.

Much like Clerks which has the ability to speak to those of us who have worked in retail, Chasing Amy speaks to those of us who have been in complicated relationships (the word complicated is a bit cliché but using a word like problematic is putting a dime word in a penny sentence). You don’t need to be in the same kind of romantic relationship as Ben Affleck’s Holden McNeil to empathize with his situation. If you have ever allowed friends, or those who call themselves friends, to guide your relationship decisions then you can relate to Chasing Amy. If you have ever allowed preconceived notions and feelings of inadequacy whisper in your ear then you can relate to Chasing Amy. If you’ve never allowed these things to sway your relationship decisions then this movie just might give you an idea of how the rest of us muddle through our love lives.

Chasing Amy is a realistic portrayal of two people trying to work through their issues and develop a meaningful relationship. It is a movie that speaks to any of us who have struggled with similar issues. The movie does have some 90s vibes, but Smith’s story is still relevant and worth a view.