Kevin Smith’s (Clerks, Dogma) latest writer/directorial effort, Zack and Miri Make A Porno, is a deceptively sweet tale about a raunchy subject: amateur pornography. Lifelong losers/platonic friends Zack (Seth Rogen of Pineapple Express) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks of W.) fall into hard financial problems; their water and electricity are shut off, their rent is months overdue, and their jobs are taking them nowhere.
After a disappointing ten-year high school reunion they come to the drunken conclusion that their cash flow problem elixir may come in the form of a self produced adult film, however, once they record button is hit, they find they may not just be friends but “friendlier”.
For fans of Smith, this film will not disappoint. It has all the staples of our favorite Smith films; realistically vulgar dialogue, schlubby yet quirky heroes, and a highly original story. The film is a joke-a-minute farce with warmth to melt any underdogs heart. The soundtrack is filled with early to mid 90’s grunge reminiscent of Smith’s earlier efforts including Mallrats and Clerks.
The cast is a pure delight to any hard-core fan of film; Jeff Anderson (Randall in the Clerks movies) as the “cinematographer”, Jason Mewes (the Jay to Smith’s Silent Bob) as the mostly naked male porn lead Lester Molester, Craig Robinson (of The Office) as the producer, Justin Long (Dodgeball) as a star of “all male films” and Superman himself, Brandon Routh, as his lover, with, of course, Smith’s wife Jennifer in a small cameo.
What separates this film from other gross-out-sex-comedies is the true pathos felt for the characters.
While the characters are certainly exaggerations, they are not caricatures of lame stereotypes. Smith’s script crafts characters that relate to the underdog in all of us, from the Plain-Jane high school girl to the recovering heroin addict.
The story is not just about pornography and anyone who says such is only viewing the film on its most basic level.
The film is not just about titillation; it’s about the process of being a filmmaker and trying to connect with an audience while still maintaining originality. What is so absorbing about the story is that it presents the American staple of a gang of underdogs banding together to accomplish the impossible.
Each character is realistically flawed yet maintains the gusto needed to succeed despite having the world against them.
Filled with a cast of cult icons (Tom Savini, The Jason Mewes, Jim Norton just to name a few), porn legends (or so I’m told), and a plethora of fluid-related jokes, this film is definitely not aimed for more conservative crowd, but for the averagely liberal young or young at heart.
