Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Starring Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, and Craig Robinson
Directed by Kevin Smith (Clerks)
Rated R on appeal for strong sexual content including dialogue, graphic nudity, and pervasive language
Appropriate for ages 18+
Zach and Miri, best friends since grade school and current roommates, are underpaid barristas that struggle to make ends meet. In order to try to get ahead financially, the two decide to make a porno together, hoping that it will get them out of the hole they are in.
For over a decade now, writer/director Kevin Smith has excelled at making the dirty adult comedy. Some were funnier than others, but over and over again, he has proven that he can push the line of decency. With Zack and Miri now, I am pretty sure he doesn’t even see the line. This is a crass, crude comedy that has more potential to offend than any movie that has hit theaters in recent memory. That being said, if you think it might offend you – it will. TV commercials have done a great disservice to audiences by only allowing the movie to be advertised as Zach and Miri. After all, Zach and Miri, for the uninformed consumer, can sound just as cute as Nick and Norah, or even Harry and Sally. Put Make a Porno in the title, however, and immediately the viewer knows – “maybe this film is or is not for me.”
But enough about the title. While a perverse pic on the outside, this is just a cute love story at heart. While telling the story of two friends with a great deal of sexual tension might not be original, the backdrop most certainly is. And only in a movie about porn could Smith deliver what will perhaps be the biggest sight gag of the year (sorry – too awful to tell you about, or even hint at).
The characters are all fun and while the script lacks a natural feel, there are still many laughs to be had throughout. I especially loved the very talented Craig Robinson as the co-worker/porn producer. Just like in The Office, and the recent Pineapple Express, he steals every scene he’s in and I can’t wait to see him in bigger roles.
Smith’s films all have the same problem in that they read better than they sound. Sure, the lines are funny, but much of the time they just don’t sound right. Also, just as in Clerks 2, many of the jokes are dirty, but not funny. While this is a huge improvement upon that horrible little sequel, at times during the film I wished that the focus would have been on making the movie more hysterical, rather than just more revolting. B-
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