Kevin Smith vividly recalls the shock and disappointment when he learned that "the most famous lesbian in the world," Ellen DeGeneres, walked out of a screening of his 1997 LGBTQ+ movie Chasing Amy. In filmmaker Sav Rodgers' newly released documentary Chasing Chasing Amy, Smith shared this painful experience. He said, "The biggest blowback, God's truth, that I heard, felt and was told about was when they told me that Ellen [DeGeneres] and [then-partner] Anne Heche went to see Chasing Amy, and it was reported that they walked out in the first half hour." This incident had a significant impact on Smith's career and his hopes of getting on The Ellen Show. A rep for DeGeneres did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The Impact on Smith's Career

Chasing Amy stars Ben Affleck as Holden McNeil, a comic-book writer and artist who falls in love with fellow comic-book writer Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams). Alyssa, who is a lesbian, reciprocates Holden's feelings, but their relationship faces challenges when Holden learns about her past sexual relationships with men. The story is told through Holden's perspective and also features "harsh terminology" from characters like the homophobic Banky (Jason Lee), who Smith said is gay and acting out due to his own "repressed" sexuality. Despite some negative feedback about the film, it remains one of Smith's most beloved films, with an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also resuscitated Smith's once-failing career, which he said began with his 1994 debut film Clerks and was "killed" with his sophomore effort Mallrats the following year. Speaking of Mallrats, the filmmaker said, "So you got me needing to do something to stay in this business, or else we were out." And Joey Lauren Adams played a crucial role in Chasing Amy. Smith continued, "Chasing Amy without Joey would've been a soulless husk, like an idea."

The Controversial Nature of the Film

The movie explores its controversial nature, and Smith openly acknowledges that he "of course" understands why some people in the LGBTQ+ community might not like it. He said, "Absolutely. Believe me, I've had 22 years to get used to that. I got used to that on the f—ing first week it came out. There were some people … who were upset." This shows Smith's awareness and respect for the diverse views surrounding the film.

The Cast and Their Roles

Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams brought the characters to life in Chasing Amy. Ben Affleck's portrayal of Holden McNeil added depth to the story, as he navigated the complexities of his relationship with Alyssa. Joey Lauren Adams as Alyssa Jones was essential in making the story believable and relatable. Their chemistry on screen was palpable and added to the overall impact of the movie. Anne Heche and Ellen DeGeneres also had a significant presence in the film's context. Their appearance and subsequent walkout added another layer of drama and controversy.Chasing Chasing Amy is now streaming on demand, allowing audiences to experience this important film in a new way. It continues to be a significant part of Smith's career and the LGBTQ+ film landscape.