Ben Affleck, 52, continues to enjoy a remarkable career in Hollywood, earning recognition as a talented actor, director, writer, and producer.
He has won two Academy Awards—one for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, which he co-wrote with Matt Damon, a film that launched both of their careers. His second Oscar came for Argo, which he directed and co-produced, earning the award for Best Picture and cementing his status as a respected filmmaker.
In a recent interview with GQ, Affleck reflected on his body of work and the journey he’s taken throughout the years.
The 1997 film Chasing Amy sparked controversy over its portrayal of sexuality.
The movie grossed $12 million at the box office and has since gained cult classic status, although Ben Affleck later expressed disappointment with his own performance.
In the romantic comedy-drama, Affleck, now 52, played Holden McNeil, a comic book artist who falls in love with Alyssa, a lesbian writer portrayed by Joey Lauren Adams. Their relationship creates tension with Holden’s best friend and business partner, Banky, played by Jason Lee.
While the film received praise at the time for bringing conversations about gender and sexuality into the mainstream, it also drew criticism for perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
One of the most contentious aspects was the implication that Alyssa, despite identifying as a lesbian, could be romantically swayed by Holden’s affection. Many LGBTQ+ critics and viewers found this narrative problematic, arguing that it echoed the regressive trope of a woman being “a lesbian until the right man comes along.”
A documentary was later made on the film, titled Chasing Chasing Amy, during which the director of the original, Kevin Smith, recalled the ‘gut-punch’ feeling when Ellen DeGeneres, whom he called ‘the most famous lesbian in the world,’ walked out of a screening of his 1997 movie.
Speaking on the controversial film, Affleck touched on the relationship between the characters Holden and Banky.
The Gone Girl star said: “At the time, what I thought was interesting about it was that it alluded to a spectrum of sexual orientation. Because to me it was very suggestive around the homosexuality between the two friends.
“What does a love relationship between two men look like, too? You love this other man, we have friendships with men that we love very much.
“It was a way of looking at well, how is this also similar to homosexual relationships? Or maybe there’s a continuum or spectrum, and I thought that was honest.”
Affleck also delved into an internal struggle that Chasing Amy put him through.
The actor said candidly, “Frankly, I found myself having to challenge my own kind of internalized homophobia because I found it so difficult to kiss Jason.
“And I thought, ‘This is really embarrassing. Like, this is clearly some internalized thing because why should that be a difficult thing to do, for me?’”
Affleck also shared he would ‘love the chance’ to go back and do the film again.
“I still think I did a s****y and unconvincing job at it, and I feel very disappointed by that,” the actor shared. “And I would love the chance to do better at that.”
“Although, of course, now, I’m not sure the idea of playing a gay character would be welcome. I might be averse to that because I don’t want to offend anyone in this direction.
“It was a movie that, at the time, felt like it was pushing some boundaries. And in retrospect, as often happens, the world has evolved.”
