Kevin Smith tries to recapture some of that Chasing Amy magic in the salaciously titled Zack and Miri Make a Porno, though he only gets about two-thirds of way there. For its first two acts, Zack and Miri is a delightfully raunchy comedy that’s right up there with Smith’s best work.
That’s all but lost when the film slips into routine rom-com formula for a predictable climax; sure, many decent films devolve into formula, but when it comes from a director who has set some high standards, it stings even more.
Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen star as Zack Brown and Miriam Linky, two working-class roommates and platonic friends living in a small Pittsburgh apartment and struggling to pay the bills.
When two Bean-N-Gone Coffee Shop customers film Zack’s bare ass and turn him into an internet meme, an idea is born: to capitalize on the temporary fame and make some quick cash, Zack and Miri will do the title of this film justice.
Miri seems to take to the idea unreasonably quickly, and the pair is off to shoot “Star Whores” – complete with elaborate dildo lightsaber props – in an abandoned warehouse.
Along for the ride are “producer” (the only guy Zack knew who could front the cash) Delaney (The Office‘s Craig Robinson), cameraman Deacon (Jeff Anderson), and stars including Lester (Jason Mewes) and Bubbles (Traci Lords).
You know where this is going, of course: in the midst of all the raunchy sex, Zack and Miri will discover they have feelings for each other. There’s nothing wrong with that, but Smith handles the final act with a jarring Jersey Girl thud as the comedy comes to a standstill.
Banks and Rogen are quite good, and have a great rapport, but we never really buy the budding romance between them. Nothing against Rogen, but I wasn’t buying it between him and Katherine Heigl in Knocked Up either.
Justin Long has a great scene as a porn star, and Anderson (of Clerks fame) is terrific as the cameraman – he’s still playing Clerks‘ Randal Graves, but he’s damn good at it – why haven’t we seen him in more features?
Location Pennsylvania shooting creates a vivid atmosphere (though it isn’t all that different from Smith’s usual New Jersey universe). Great little bonus: numerous references to George Romero’s epic Dawn of the Dead (which shot at some of the same locations), including a cameo by Tom Savini.
Despite the mixed review, there’s plenty to like in Zack and Miri Make a Porno. If you can forgive Smith the one transgression, this ranks up there with some of his better work. And despite the title and plotline, Zack and Miri isn’t as explicit as one might expect (Smith’s dialogue, however, is predictably…colorful).
