Sweet blonde walks up to a boy with chestnut hair and soft features. She asks him if he writes adult comic books. He smiles. That look comes over his eyes - that look you get when you've just seen someone endearing, some one who makes you smile, even laugh, some one whose drivel you could listen to without hearing a word of what they're saying.
Boy and girl get to know each other. Boy falls for girl. Girl also inadvertently falls for boy. Makings of a silly rom-com. One problem though - she is gay.
In 'Chasing Amy', a young Ben Affleck plays Holden McNeil, a smitten comic book writer who is compelled to let his gay female friend (which, in her head, is all she is to him) know of his feelings on a dark, rainy night, in a car, while on their way back from dinner. Because he "just can't take it any more".
I will be honest. Besides an off-beat premise, and decidedly adorable portrayals both by Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee, what I really love is the the monologue that Holden launches into when he admits his feelings for Alyssa to her. Seriously, the simplicity and mature sincerity with which Holden professes his love for Alyssa is like soft porn to me. I can watch it over and over. Its not trite, its honest, brave, grown-up, and very convincing in its hopeful lack of expectation of any reciprocation from Alyssa; its at once complete, touching, and crisp in its acknowledgement of the price of his admission - the possible loss of a good friendship. Most importantly, to me its special because that is exactly what I would have done. I would have confessed, too, letting my hopes overshadow my expectations.
I watch my occasional rom-com,occasional because most are shitty. Despite the obvious complication of Alyssa's sexuality, I love the movie for its simplicity. None of the new fangled rom-coms these days have this old-fashioned, honest-cry sincerity about them.
Ben Affleck, being the extraordinary actor that he is, plays the role with innocence (and jealous zeal) of a high school lover boy. And yet, quite satisfyingly, his portrayal is not over-done, juvenile or misplaced. His is the love we all want, but dread to have to offer.
In case I ever need to refer to it, here is my favorite excerpt from the movie :
I love you. And not, not in a friendly way, although I think we're great friends. I love you. Very, very simple, very truly. You are the-the epitome of everything I have ever looked for in another human being. And I know that you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is-is-is the furthest thing from an option you would ever consider. But I had to say it. I just, I can't take this anymore. I can't stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can't-I can't look into your eyes without feeling that-that longing you only read about in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. And I know this will probably queer our friendship - no pun intended - but I had to say it, 'cause I've never felt this way before, and I-I don't care. I like who I am because of it. And if bringing this to light means we can't hang out anymore, then that hurts me. But God, I just, I couldn't allow another day to go by without just getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And, you know, I'll accept that. But I know, I know that some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there's a moment of hesitation, then that means you feel something too. And all I ask, please, is that you just - you just not dismiss that, and try to dwell in it for just ten seconds. Alyssa, there isn't another soul on this fucking planet who has ever made me half the person I am when I'm with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next plateau. Because it is there between you and me. You can't deny that. Even if, you know, even if we never talk again after tonight, please know that I am forever changed because of who you are and what you've meant to me.
Boy and girl get to know each other. Boy falls for girl. Girl also inadvertently falls for boy. Makings of a silly rom-com. One problem though - she is gay.
In 'Chasing Amy', a young Ben Affleck plays Holden McNeil, a smitten comic book writer who is compelled to let his gay female friend (which, in her head, is all she is to him) know of his feelings on a dark, rainy night, in a car, while on their way back from dinner. Because he "just can't take it any more".
I will be honest. Besides an off-beat premise, and decidedly adorable portrayals both by Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee, what I really love is the the monologue that Holden launches into when he admits his feelings for Alyssa to her. Seriously, the simplicity and mature sincerity with which Holden professes his love for Alyssa is like soft porn to me. I can watch it over and over. Its not trite, its honest, brave, grown-up, and very convincing in its hopeful lack of expectation of any reciprocation from Alyssa; its at once complete, touching, and crisp in its acknowledgement of the price of his admission - the possible loss of a good friendship. Most importantly, to me its special because that is exactly what I would have done. I would have confessed, too, letting my hopes overshadow my expectations.
I watch my occasional rom-com,occasional because most are shitty. Despite the obvious complication of Alyssa's sexuality, I love the movie for its simplicity. None of the new fangled rom-coms these days have this old-fashioned, honest-cry sincerity about them.
Ben Affleck, being the extraordinary actor that he is, plays the role with innocence (and jealous zeal) of a high school lover boy. And yet, quite satisfyingly, his portrayal is not over-done, juvenile or misplaced. His is the love we all want, but dread to have to offer.
In case I ever need to refer to it, here is my favorite excerpt from the movie :
I love you. And not, not in a friendly way, although I think we're great friends. I love you. Very, very simple, very truly. You are the-the epitome of everything I have ever looked for in another human being. And I know that you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is-is-is the furthest thing from an option you would ever consider. But I had to say it. I just, I can't take this anymore. I can't stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can't-I can't look into your eyes without feeling that-that longing you only read about in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. And I know this will probably queer our friendship - no pun intended - but I had to say it, 'cause I've never felt this way before, and I-I don't care. I like who I am because of it. And if bringing this to light means we can't hang out anymore, then that hurts me. But God, I just, I couldn't allow another day to go by without just getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And, you know, I'll accept that. But I know, I know that some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there's a moment of hesitation, then that means you feel something too. And all I ask, please, is that you just - you just not dismiss that, and try to dwell in it for just ten seconds. Alyssa, there isn't another soul on this fucking planet who has ever made me half the person I am when I'm with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next plateau. Because it is there between you and me. You can't deny that. Even if, you know, even if we never talk again after tonight, please know that I am forever changed because of who you are and what you've meant to me.
