Chasing Amy
A pair of comic book authors named Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards, who live in New Jersey, have been best friends for 20 years. They spend their time working in their studio, and in the evenings they are going out. But their friendship is about to be disputed for the first time in their life, when a beautiful young lesbian woman named Alyssa Jones enters their life and Holden falls in love with her. Now Holden has to deal with Banky's jealousy, and with his new girlfriend's very rich past.
Despite its shoestring budget of $250K, Chasing Amy became a massive hit, earning $12.0M worldwide—a remarkable 4709% return. The film's distinctive approach attracted moviegoers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
5 wins & 16 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Chasing Amy (1997) exhibits carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Kevin Smith's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Holden and Banky at a comic convention, successful as the duo behind "Bluntman and Chronic." They're best friends and creative partners living the dream, but Holden's emotional life is empty.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Holden meets Alyssa Jones at a comic convention. She's beautiful, talented, funny, and completely captivates him. Instant connection and chemistry during their first conversation.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Holden actively chooses to pursue a deep friendship with Alyssa despite knowing she's a lesbian. He commits to being in her life in whatever capacity possible, entering her world rather than walking away., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory: Holden and Alyssa are happily together. Their relationship seems to be working beautifully. Holden appears to have everything he wanted. But the stakes raise: Banky becomes increasingly hostile, and the complications of Alyssa's past begin to surface., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Holden confronts Alyssa about her past in a devastating car scene. His jealousy and inability to accept her sexual history erupts. Alyssa is heartbroken that he can't accept all of her. The relationship dies—not from external forces but from Holden's own insecurity and possessiveness., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Silent Bob tells Holden the story of "Amy," a woman he loved and lost because of his own insecurity and inability to accept her past. The story provides clarity: Holden realizes he's repeating the same mistake, but it may be too late., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Chasing Amy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Chasing Amy against these established plot points, we can identify how Kevin Smith utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Chasing Amy within the comedy genre.
Kevin Smith's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Kevin Smith films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Chasing Amy represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kevin Smith filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Kevin Smith analyses, see Cop Out, Jersey Girl and Dogma.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Holden and Banky at a comic convention, successful as the duo behind "Bluntman and Chronic." They're best friends and creative partners living the dream, but Holden's emotional life is empty.
Theme
At a panel discussion, someone asks about sexuality and comics. The exchange hints at the film's central theme: the tension between identity, sexuality, and the fear of accepting someone's complete past.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Holden and Banky's friendship, their comic book success, the New Jersey indie comics scene. We see their dynamic: Holden is romantic and idealistic, Banky is crude and cynical. They attend conventions, hang out, talk about women.
Disruption
Holden meets Alyssa Jones at a comic convention. She's beautiful, talented, funny, and completely captivates him. Instant connection and chemistry during their first conversation.
Resistance
Holden pursues Alyssa, spending more time with her. They bond over comics and personal conversations. Banky warns Holden. Then the revelation: Alyssa is a lesbian. Holden is crushed but tries to maintain friendship. Internal debate about pursuing someone he can't have.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Holden actively chooses to pursue a deep friendship with Alyssa despite knowing she's a lesbian. He commits to being in her life in whatever capacity possible, entering her world rather than walking away.
Mirror World
Holden and Alyssa's deepening friendship becomes the film's emotional core. She represents the thematic mirror: someone who challenges his binary thinking about sexuality and identity. Their late-night conversations explore vulnerability and connection.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Holden and Alyssa's friendship deepening. Hockey games, late night talks, emotional intimacy. Holden confesses his feelings in the rain outside the nightclub. Alyssa reciprocates. They begin a romantic relationship despite her lesbian identity. The promise of the premise: can love transcend labels?
Midpoint
False victory: Holden and Alyssa are happily together. Their relationship seems to be working beautifully. Holden appears to have everything he wanted. But the stakes raise: Banky becomes increasingly hostile, and the complications of Alyssa's past begin to surface.
Opposition
Pressure builds. Banky resents Alyssa and feels abandoned. He digs into her past and reveals she was promiscuous and had a threesome with two guys. Holden's insecurities and possessiveness grow. His jealousy over her sexual history consumes him despite her honesty. His flaws—insecurity, inability to accept her past—destroy the relationship from within.
Collapse
Holden confronts Alyssa about her past in a devastating car scene. His jealousy and inability to accept her sexual history erupts. Alyssa is heartbroken that he can't accept all of her. The relationship dies—not from external forces but from Holden's own insecurity and possessiveness.
Crisis
Holden wallows in misery. He lost Alyssa and damaged his friendship with Banky. He processes the loss, recognizing his mistakes but struggling with the possessive feelings he can't shake. Dark night of the soul.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Silent Bob tells Holden the story of "Amy," a woman he loved and lost because of his own insecurity and inability to accept her past. The story provides clarity: Holden realizes he's repeating the same mistake, but it may be too late.
Synthesis
Holden attempts to fix everything with a misguided solution: he proposes a threesome with him, Alyssa, and Banky, thinking it will resolve everyone's issues. The plan backfires catastrophically. Both Alyssa and Banky reject him. He loses both relationships. The finale shows the cost of his inability to grow.
Transformation
One year later. Holden sees Alyssa at a comic convention with a new girlfriend. They exchange a brief, bittersweet look. He's alone, she's moved on. The closing image mirrors the opening: Holden at a convention, but now transformed by loss rather than triumph. He understands what he had and lost.