Chasing Amy – The Scene

I was stumbling through movie quotes the other day and I came across a blog that listed the top 25 most romantic movie quotes. Don’t ask why this interested me, it just did. This article even had a quote from Gone With The Wind which I particularly appreciated even though I’ve never seen the movie. Either way, some of them were good and some were pretty lame. Whatever right? That’s the beauty of top whatever lists is you can agree or disagree but they do get you thinking about the subject matter.

What I did notice was the blog missed a quote from one of my favorite Kevin Smith movies, Chasing Amy. Although not the most popular, mainstream movie, I think it makes the cut. The scene is where Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) announces his love for his friend, Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) who just happens to be, well, gay. Check out the clip.

This definitely doesn’t capture the entire moment and the ending to the scene is cut out where she runs back into the frame, jumps into Holden’s arms and kisses him. They make-out all intensely on the truck, in the rain, and then… of course sleep together. Which throws a wrench in the whole friend/gay/straight/lovers dynamic. It’s pretty interesting. Especially when Holden’s best friend, Banky (Jason Lee) walks in on them in the morning after, naked and on his couch.

If you’re a Kevin Smith fan, like myself, and haven’t seen this movie check it out. It’s one of my all time favorites. It’s got the witty banter, great characters and as always an underlying geek motif since pretty much all the characters are comic book illustrators and writers. There’s also a cameo from Jay and Silent Bob.

Snoochie Boochies

Alyssa Jones: Why are we stopping?
Holden McNeil: Because I can’t take this.
Alyssa Jones: Can’t take what?
Holden McNeil: I love you.
Alyssa Jones: You love me?
Holden McNeil: I love you. And not, not in a friendly way, although I think we’re great friends. And not in a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although I’m sure that’s what you’ll call it. I love you. Very, very simple, very truly. You are 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 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, because I’ve never felt this way before, and 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 is a moment of hesitation, then that means you feel something too.

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’m forever changed because of who you are and what you’ve meant to me, which – while I do appreciate it – I’d never need a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind me of.

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