Zack & Miri Make a Porno (B or 3/4 stars)
First & foremost, I understand that the title of this film has sparked some controversy across the nation. But to me, it really shouldn't, as it's more specifically used for comedic purposes & not in an overwhelmingly sexual context. Moving on: Lifelong platonic pals Zack & Miri (Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks) are out of luck & out of $$. And they look to solve their problems by making an adult film together in the aptly titled, 'Zack & Miri Make a Porno', written & directed by Kevin Smith (Chasing Amy, the Clerks movies). Though most of the film is hysterically funny, & highly raunchy, the main thread is a sweet one; once their camera rolls, the duo begin to sense that they may have more feelings for each other than previously anticipated. Though the ending could have been more fleshed out, 'Z&M' offers a rare combination of raunch & sensitivity. I enjoyed the combo.
Zack & Miri have been friends since the 1st grade. So when it's time to go to their 10 yr. high school reunion, they know that they have each other to fall back on. The reunion sucks (as they usually do). And they drive home to their small apartment; only to discover that the electricity & plumbing has been cut off. Since their menial jobs have not raked in the necessary dough to pay their bills, they ponder making a porno movie for some cash to pay off their debts. After enlisting the help of some old & new friends, the 2 vow that having sex together would not put a damper on their strong friendship ... yeah, right.
Helping finance the porno is Zack's fellow co-worker, Delaney (Craig Robinson, of The Office). Deacon (the very funny Jeff Anderson) will be behind the camera. And also starring in said porno will be Lester (Jason Mewes), a man with an acute erectile talent; Barry (Ricky Mabe) a guy who's up for anything; Stacey (Katie Morgan, a real-life porn star); & Bubbles (Traci Lords, yet another porn star). How Bubbles gets her name is something to behold (in the film). The rest of the story plays out as one would assume. Foul language flies, body parts shake, & vulgarity ensues as the group tries to both name their film and shoot it. All the while, what started out as a simple business proposition between Zack & Miri ... just may turn into something more.
OK, the level of smut & profanity is off the charts in this movie (without having it go NC-17 on us) ... and it is great! I didn't even mind a certain constipation scene, haha. It's actually hard to recall individual jokes/moments because they come at you at such a hilarious breakneck pace, that all you can do is remember that you laughed, at all. The situations they get into are wonderful. i.e., 1) initially going with a Star Wars ("whores") theme for their film. 2) And the entire sequence leading up to Zack & Miri's turn to have sex-on-film is side-splittingly funny. Not only are Rogen & Banks superb as Zack & Miri, but the supporting characters are great, as well. I even enjoyed a pair of cameos from Justin Long & Brandon Routh (the new Superman) at the high school reunion; very funny stuff.
But the film really does work because of the leads. How Rogen is able to pull-off being both completely loveable & completely disgusting is beyond me. And Elizabeth Banks is not only gorgeous, but very funny, as well (a surprise). It's a bonus that they make a great pair onscreen. The sensitive scenes involving the 2 of them really, really strike a chord. It felt right. As far as complaints go, I only have a few. For one, the film ends a good 5-10 minutes earlier than it should have (awkward romance cliches and all). A subplot involving the actual tape is not fulfilled. And some intended funny moments don't always come through (involving some black-themed humor). But overall, 'Zack &Miri ...' is a easy, breezy, fun, energetic & sweet movie to visit your local theater for.
Zack & Miri have been friends since the 1st grade. So when it's time to go to their 10 yr. high school reunion, they know that they have each other to fall back on. The reunion sucks (as they usually do). And they drive home to their small apartment; only to discover that the electricity & plumbing has been cut off. Since their menial jobs have not raked in the necessary dough to pay their bills, they ponder making a porno movie for some cash to pay off their debts. After enlisting the help of some old & new friends, the 2 vow that having sex together would not put a damper on their strong friendship ... yeah, right.
Helping finance the porno is Zack's fellow co-worker, Delaney (Craig Robinson, of The Office). Deacon (the very funny Jeff Anderson) will be behind the camera. And also starring in said porno will be Lester (Jason Mewes), a man with an acute erectile talent; Barry (Ricky Mabe) a guy who's up for anything; Stacey (Katie Morgan, a real-life porn star); & Bubbles (Traci Lords, yet another porn star). How Bubbles gets her name is something to behold (in the film). The rest of the story plays out as one would assume. Foul language flies, body parts shake, & vulgarity ensues as the group tries to both name their film and shoot it. All the while, what started out as a simple business proposition between Zack & Miri ... just may turn into something more.
OK, the level of smut & profanity is off the charts in this movie (without having it go NC-17 on us) ... and it is great! I didn't even mind a certain constipation scene, haha. It's actually hard to recall individual jokes/moments because they come at you at such a hilarious breakneck pace, that all you can do is remember that you laughed, at all. The situations they get into are wonderful. i.e., 1) initially going with a Star Wars ("whores") theme for their film. 2) And the entire sequence leading up to Zack & Miri's turn to have sex-on-film is side-splittingly funny. Not only are Rogen & Banks superb as Zack & Miri, but the supporting characters are great, as well. I even enjoyed a pair of cameos from Justin Long & Brandon Routh (the new Superman) at the high school reunion; very funny stuff.
But the film really does work because of the leads. How Rogen is able to pull-off being both completely loveable & completely disgusting is beyond me. And Elizabeth Banks is not only gorgeous, but very funny, as well (a surprise). It's a bonus that they make a great pair onscreen. The sensitive scenes involving the 2 of them really, really strike a chord. It felt right. As far as complaints go, I only have a few. For one, the film ends a good 5-10 minutes earlier than it should have (awkward romance cliches and all). A subplot involving the actual tape is not fulfilled. And some intended funny moments don't always come through (involving some black-themed humor). But overall, 'Zack &Miri ...' is a easy, breezy, fun, energetic & sweet movie to visit your local theater for.