Chasing Amy

Visi(bi)lity: How Did I Get Here? (or: What Chasing Amy Taught Me About Media and Identity)

Movie poster for “Chasing Amy.” A blonde woman faces front with her chin over her shoulder. Written over her shoulder are the names of Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams and Jason Lee. The title is in the center, below Lee’s name. In the top right corner is the tagline, “It’s not who you love. It’s how.” Below the title is illegibly small text. The coloring is blue-tinted with bright white highlights. When I was 11, I saw the trailer for Chasing Amy. I don’t remember why it caught my attention—I didn’t recognize the actors, and I don’t think I consciously knew what it was about. It certainly wasn’t targeted toward 11-year-olds, so I’m not even sure where I saw the ad. But something in my gut told me that this was a movie I needed to see. It was the first time I experienced such a strong, immediate response to a movie, let alone a trailer.