Sunday, November 16, 2008

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)

Kevin Smith's once-undisputed reign as the King of Gross-out Comedies has been recently challenged by the Apatow and company. However, he proves everyone that when it comes to making comedies chock-full of popular culture references, likable losers, and un-PC comedy he is still the undisputed King. It is unfortunate, then, that he has to prove his worth with a film starring the star alumnus of the Apatow school of laughter.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno does everything it says on the tin. The titular Zack and Miri are platonic friends, who are in financial dire straits. In order to pay their overdue monthly bills, they decide (more like Zack decides then persuades Miri) to make a home-made porno. Cue auditions, endless brainstorming sessions for a viable porn title, and the little issue of them not having slept before.

The cast - especially Craig Robinson as Zack's unhappy-at-home co-worker and Jason Mewes' slow loser - are in top form. However, the winning formula is the titular couple. As improbable as it may look on the surface, Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks have great chemistry. And that shows itself in the inevitable scene, which involves Live's never-before-released outtake, "Hold Me up".

It is a sweet movie that falls for the inevitable - that word again! - at the end, but now that Apatow-style comedy is growing old, it is refreshing to see Smith at his best again. In what has been a very disappointing year in terms of movies, Zack and Miri Makes a Porno is one of the better offerings so far.

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