Zack and Miri Make a Porno

For Kevin Smith fans, Zack and Miri Make a Porno was a slightly worrying prospect. It’s not set in the same filmic universe as most of Kevin Smith’s films (you can tell this because it’s not set in New Jersey, and Jeff Anderson’s character isn’t called Randal). The only other film that he’s made without Jay and Silent Bob was Jersey Girl, an ok film struck down by the curse of Gigli. There is no need to fear, however, because from the very first scene it is clear that we are in classic Kevin Smith mode; the movie is chock-full of the filthy humour, endearing moments and lack of cinematographic flair that we have come to love.

Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) have been best friends since high school, and share a flat. Faced with major money troubles, they decide to get out of debt by making and starring in a porn film. They find that turning a platonic relationship into a sexual one has consequences.

The script is full of Smith’s trademark dirty discussions and some pretty gross moments. The scenes where the ragtag cast and crew make the film are very amusing and reminiscent of his debut, Clerks¸ shot in the shop where he worked outside of business hours. Porn is an innately funny genre, what with the ridiculous scripts and acting, and this film gets its money’s worth out of the concept.

The cast is eclectic, and all the better for it. It is always nice to see Smith regulars Jeff Anderson and Jason Mewes on screen, this time joined by real porn stars Traci Lords and Katie Morgan. Josh Rogen is cuddly and sweet as Zack (a character obviously based on Kevin Smith) and Elizabeth Banks is charming as Miri, if a little bland. She is definitely flavour of the month in Hollywood, but her face so closely resembles Parker Posey’s that I always have unrealistic expectations of her wackiness and comedic talent, leaving me slightly disappointed.

But it is Justin Long (last seen in Die Hard 4.0 and Ed) who steals the show in a single scene. Using an unnaturally low voice to play a gay porn star, he manages to be at once creepy, cool and hilarious. It is the highlight of a very funny film with a very sweet heart.