Rama’s SCREEN

I’m not sure if I want to call this as one of Kevin Smith’s best but it sure beats Jersey Girl. It seems like there are so many ways to come up with a story that ends with two best friends of opposite sex falling in love, you can throw in any supporting situation to help with the story and how those characters eventually are confronted with their feelings for each other, in this case, it just so happens that… Kevin Smith chooses the concept making your own amateur porno video and that is definitely something unique. Whether or not it would cater to many audiences, that’s a whole nother ball game. Some might consider this yet another one of the string of many crude comedy movies with penis shot that’s been so popular lately but ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO is only for those who are familiar with Kevin Smith’s brand of storytelling.

Lifelong friends and roommates Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are facing hard times and a mountain of debt. When the electricity and plumbing get cut off, they seize upon the idea of making a homegrown porno movie for some quick cash, enlisting the help of their friends. The two vow that having sex will not ruin their friendship. But as filming begins, what started out as a business proposition between friends turns into something much more.

Do I think this is an all round hilarious movie? Not quite. Yes, usually I don’t mind crude humor and I’m a big fan of Superbad but what’s disappointing is when you hear a joke or two that the filmmaker thinks are funny but what comes through your ear is a bunch of unnecessary and gross words that only work if you’re an irresponsible adolescent who don’t know anything funnier, this movie’s got a lot of that.
At the same time I have to appreciate the simplicity of it all. I don’ t need to explain that this sorta project may not be Laurence of Arabia but in its own turf, ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO does have a good structure and development from beginning to the end, it’s got complications, it’s got resolutions, not to mention the little bumps and ups-and-downs along the way.. pun intended. Like a typical comedy/romance movie would have, notice I didn’t say romantic comedy.

I’m not too impressed with the supposed chemistry between Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, I’m sure they’re decent actors who give their all for this one, and it’s definitely better than the failed Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst combo in How To Lose Friends and Alienate People, but if Kevin Smith wants to reach the same emphasis that Judd Apatow did with the whole goofy guy gettin’ the hottie in Knocked Up, I think Smith’s dialogue and moments don’t get quite get you straight at the heart. I’m not sure if most people would care for those two characters in the end. The last scene where Zack (Rogen) expresses his feeling for Miri (Banks) while she’s taking a poop in the bathroom kinda messes with the intention, it all happens so fast it loses its purpose, it’s supposed to be the highlight but it becomes ordinary instead. For some reason, I can’t help but imagine that those two characters could be played by some other more convincing actors.

Maybe 10 years from now comedy movies like ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO would be considered a classic just like what we currently think of John Hughes’ 80s hits (The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles) but ZACK AND MIRI make a porno will never be as electrifying as Clerks, no matter how many same actors Smith tries to put in there and no matter how much the movie wants to push the limit of soft-core. After all is said and done,… it was good while it lasted, now what’s next?

* Place the cursor on the image below to check my grade for this film