Kevin Smith reminds us of his softer side in this best-friends-who-secretly-have-a-thing-for-each-other comedy about being broke and making porn. We've got Zack (Seth Rogen, a man who should always wear glasses), a scruffy cafe employee with a dirty mouth. Living with him is his best friend since grammar school Miri (Elizabeth Banks, looking good but with way too much hair), an adorable clothing store cashier with some pent-up frustrations about her looks and general situation in life. So, she convinces Zack to go to their high school reunion with the hope that they still are better off than some of their former classmates, and with the intention of revenge-scoring with Bobby Long (Brandon Routh), the guy who called her "Stinky Linky". There, they meet successful porn actor Brandon (Justin Long), who plants the seed of potential porn star glory in their heads. After missing several payments, their water, gas, and electric are shut off and they decide to make a very low-budget amateur porno to get some quick cash. They recruit Deacon (Jeff Anderson), who used to film high school basketball games, to be the cameraman, fellow cafe employee Delaney (Craig Robinson) to produce, wannabe actors Lester (Jason Mewes) and Barry (Ricky Mabe), dancer Stacey (real-life adult film actress Katie Morgan) and Bubbles (Traci Lords), a woman who can do something very special with her namesake. Zack and Miri act in the film as well, prepared to sleep with one another for the sake of keeping their apartment, resolving to not make a big thing of it and keep their deep platonic friendship. Of course, sex complicates things and maybe they have feelings for each other but will act like jerks instead of just talking about it. But things will probably work out ok eventually.
I don't know why Zack and Miri Make a Porno is being massively panned. I thought it was funny and interesting, with fantastic characters and good premise. The plot was a little thin but I don't watch Kevin Smith films for complex stories. He maintained his penchant for crass, sharp dialogue, superfluous nudity, great soundtracks, and Star Wars references. Along with stellar performances from the co-stars, Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks have great chemistry. There are a lot of over-the-top gags and some serious gross-out moments. The whole thing is a nice combination of lewd humor and heartfelt romance- a love story for the anti-prude. Admittedly, it doesn't stand up to the comedic antics of Mallrats and Clerks but I really liked seeing Smith frame a movie around a pair of best friends who aren't both dudes, as well as bringing a romantic relationship to the center of the plot. I guess in a way he's looking back to Chasing Amy, but with someone who isn't Ben Affleck (thankfully) and with more pornography. It's outside the View Askewniverse, so I did sort of miss Jay and Silent Bob and the familiarity of New Jersey, but not in a big, detrimental way. Overall I dug it, and I think people are being too hard on it. It's not the best thing ever, and I didn't expect it to be. It was funny and surprisingly endearing and I'll still be (as ever) anxiously awaiting this guy's next movie!
4/5
Extra Stuff:
Kevin Smith's Account of how the movie came to be, especially Seth Rogen's involvement
"You and I Are a Gang of Losers"- The Dears (a song I would not have expected to hear!)
"Hey"- The Pixies (great party scene song)
Monday, November 10, 2008
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
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I'm with you on the Seth Rogen wearing glasses thing. The scene where he shaves and then takes the glasses off was a little awkward. I much prefer looking at him when he's gruff.
ReplyDeleteI like your take. I'm thinking if Chasing Amy were to come out today, it might get panned, too. Hard to say what people are expecting to see. My expectations were low going in, only because I was less than impressed with Clerks II.
ReplyDeleteLoved the soundtrack, specifically the usage of "Hey." Good call.