WARNING: This Article May Contain Spoilers
I want this article to act as a reminder that, like Chris Evans with Flame Boy and Captain America, Ben Affleck had pulled on the super-suit prior to becoming Batman. I’m going to be completely honest, I haven’t seen the Daredevil from beginning to end – I always seem to catch it at the same point. In saying that, it also means that I have no idea what Affleck’s Daredevil is like, because he isn’t in the scene that I keep catching.
Chasing Amy
I was actually confused by the title… because the girl he’s chasing, and eventually gets, isn’t called Amy at all. Her name is Alyssa so the question remains, who is Amy? However, this is explained later on. I can’t decide if it’s Kevin Smith’s (probably better known to some as Silent Bob who stars alongside Ben in another film in this article) great writing or the brilliant casting, and I don’t just mean Ben Affleck, but this is actually a really good film! There’s one scene that sells the whole thing to me, which is the speech Affleck’s character, Holdon, gives to express his love to Alyssa – that’s just powerful.
The Sum of all Fears
Ben Affleck, 3rd actor of 5 to play Jack Ryan – following in the footsteps of Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford. Interestingly, unlike Chris Pine but similar to John Krasinki (I haven’t watched the series yet but I’m aware from trailers) who both followed this iteration, Affleck’s Ryan refers to himself as an analyst and that field work isn’t his thing. Which does explain why his character seems to disappear into the background in places more than I expected. I do like that they stick to this though, because in his only real ‘fight scene’ he doesn’t seem to actually want to have the fight, no matter how angry he is by this point of the film.
Dogma
I’m going to be completely honest with you all – there is no way I could write this article without talking about this film! It’s potentially my favourite Ben Affleck film! Now, if this film was made now, I’m sure people would be offended by some of the themes in this film. Anyone who watches this, please remember that this is a satirical take on theology. Affleck plays Bartleby, an angel trapped on earth along with his friend Loki (played by Affleck’s close friend Matt Damon) and what I love about the pair of them is that they aren’t subtle and don’t hide who they are – take the scene in the hunting store, for example, they’re talking about Sodom and Gomorrah so casually. It’s funny to think that it’s Bartleby’s persuasion for Loki to give up being the angel of death but he allows rampage on earth. What’s interesting however is that their feelings change as the film goes on, Bartleby wants to take his anger with God out on humans and Loki becomes less rapturous.
Honorary Mentions
I mentioned about his work with Kevin Smith, aka Silent Bob. Well, Dogma and Chasing Amy aren’t the only times the pair have worked together. Affleck also stars in Mallrats, Clerks II and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. He’s also worked alongside amazing actors like Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting (I’m not sure if they share a scene as Matt Damon is the main character) and Bruce Willis, to name just one, in Armageddon. What was interesting to me however is that Affleck also has a cameo in Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 1992 as Basketball Player #10 so I will be looking pretty closely next time I watch that film!
