A classic love story—with dildos
Outrageously vulgar and proud of it, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” epitomizes the essence of director Kevin Smith, even with its clichéd conclusion.
Zack (Seth Rogen, “Pineapple Express”) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks, “W.”) are two best friends that are unable to pay their utility bills. When their paycheck comes, they lack the common sense to pay off their debts and instead buy sex toys. At their latest high school reunion, Miri reunites with her old crush only to learn that he has become a gay porn star. With the future looking grim and only a small fire in a barrel to heat their house, the lifelong pals decide that drastic times call for drastic measures; in their case, turn a profit from making a porno.
Director, writer and actor Kevin Smith has made quite a career for himself. With the creation of characters Jay and Silent Bob in the first “Clerks,” he started a franchise known for its raunchy dialogue and inappropriate scenarios. Many thought his scene involving a bit of bestiality in “Clerks II” was his most politically incorrect contribution to cinema. Lo and behold, Smith outdoes himself once again by exposing audiences to the “shitty” consequences of filming an anal sex scene below the actors.
Besides the bout of anal leakage, Smith fills the film with dozens of raunchy one-liners, but surprisingly adds a heart to all the filth. While his always entertaining graphic dialogue works, his juvenility in creating an original and unpredictable romance ultimately keeps this film from becoming his masterpiece. Instead of focusing on finishing the production of “Swallow my Cockachino” in the last half hour of the film, viewers get to witness the heartwarming though clichéd start of two friends taking their relationship to the next level.
In the most obvious yet best casting choice of the year, Rogen owns the screen as the morally deprived Zack. Looking like your average bum off the street, Rogen turns a deviant cappuccino barista into a very likeable guy. Always trying to make the best of things, he is able to convincingly compare porno to a Coke or Pepsi – except with a dick in them.
In her third movie in a month, Banks steps out of her comfort zone by creating a fearless Miri. Walking a thin line between desperate and skank, her interaction between her and her high school crush is one of the film’s best moments.
And of course, no Silent Bob film would be complete without Jason “Jay” Mewes (“Clerks II”). As the random guy off the street who can get a boner in a matter of seconds with no visual help, he gives fans a glimpse of what he has been hiding all those years under those baggy pants.
Add in a couple real life porn stars and Justin Long in his best cameo ever as a raging bear homosexual in love with Superman (Brandon Routh, “Superman Returns”) and you have one of the greatest ensembles of the year.
While hardly suitable for anyone who hasn’t seen a real porno before, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” is one of the few great adult comedies not part of the Apatow collection.
‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’
Release Date: Oct. 31
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Rating: R for strong crude sexual content including graphic nudity and pervasive language.
Grade: B
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on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 at 2:44 am and is filed under Arts & Entertainment, Film Reviews, Vibe.
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