REVIEWS
Kevin's Review: Zack and Miri Make a Porno - In a Way, Just Like Real Porn
by Kevin Powers
October 31, 2008
Analyzing Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno feels remarkably similar to what it must be like to review an actual porno. The film has baseline appeal, so the only question is whether it's really good or really bad. The film has a built-in draw since Smith mated his universe with Judd Apatow's, creating a cast and context that definitely gets you excited. But like most adult films, Zack and Miri serves a solitary purpose of providing a good time. Smith hits this low bar pretty easily, delivering punching, raunchy lines the likes of a headboard rapping against a wall. But for all the raucous obscenities and those fan-favorites delivering them, Zack and Miri is an adult film that delivers pretty much what's on the box.
As the film begins, Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are platonic lifelong friends and roommates who are stupidly poor. Their one car is a rolling, frozen POS, while their apartment is besieged by a lack of water and electricity since the two can't seem to make ends meet. Following an enlightening high school reunion and a drive-by YouTube-ing, Zack and Miri figure having sex on tape isn't such a bad idea to righting their financial situation. The two set out to craft a hip, marketable storyline and settle on "Star Whores." From there, they begin to write the script and recruit the rest of the cast, which includes Kevin Smith-fave Jason Mewes as Lester and Traci Lords as Bubbles (named for her trademark talent).
Underlying Zack and Miri's pursuit into porn is the two friends coming to terms with their own feelings. Even though they say it's just sex, both know venturing down that path will change things. The push and pull that ensues is as predictable as a money shot. Nevertheless, Smith manages to keep the tempo and lewdness up so as to avoid the story from going limp. It's a decent balance between tenderness and nakedness, though obviously the latter gets the most laughs and attention.
While the film is obviously not porno-grade, Zack and Miri definitely takes the idea of softcore up a few notches. You see more of Mewes than you probably would ever want to, and there's a particularly disturbing scene highlighting the perils of one sexual position. Equally educational is a technique Lester imparts to Zack that allows for two guys to "mess around," but not in a truly homosexual way. Just like actual porn, Zack and Miri might actually teach you a thing or two.
Rogen and Banks are obviously the featured duo in the film, but the couple that stole the movie was Justin Long and Brandon Routh as the gay pair Zack and Miri encounter at their high school reunion. Long is richly hysterical as a throaty gay porn star, especially when he makes a scene professing his love for Routh's character (and his ass). If you stay through the end of the credits, there's an additional scene with the pair that is just about the best punctuation you could hope for. Zack and Miri gets a lot of things right and proves versatile with both love and sex, but it isn't remarkable by any stretch. But just as if you were evaluating real porn, do really you care about the particular degrees of good or bad? It's meant to be a fun time, plain and simple. And under that rubric, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is a fine piece of porn.
23 Comments
1
So why the 7? Your grade kind of makes me lose faith in the ratings system. If the film went out and achieved what it meant to achieve, and was still a great film to watch.... why not 10/10?
Marcus on Oct 31, 2008
2
3
I saw an early screening of this in Chicago and absolutely loved it. Even though Rogen tends to play roughly the same character in his movies, i thought Kevin Smith was really able to bring out the best in him with this film. I knew it was going to be hilarious, and it exceeded my expectations beyond that. I've been a Kevin Smith fan for years, and this, i feel, is one of his finest achievements.
Michael on Oct 31, 2008
4
Saw it today and I enjoyed it. Craig Robinsonabsol utely stole the show for me, he was hilarious.
bill on Oct 31, 2008
5
Dude, I don't think you got it, not that its rocket science, but reviewers general aren't as talented as the makers of the things they are reviewing, else they would be making and not reviewing. This is a movie about the difference between sex and making love? How powerful is that love scene against the backdrop of the shallow porn fantasy world? I walked in thinking I was seeing just a comedy and walked out having just been reminded of how special it was the first time I made love. That's film making, thats a great flick. I’m probably reading way to much into this film, but I can’t help but notice how so many people get caught up on things like language, nudity, the word “porn”, ratings or other “morality politics”, and miss the point that someone is trying to make a statement about love. We get a ton of exposure to sex in this country but maybe not enough exposure to love, maybe sometimes we confuse them, and it takes a master film maker to remind us! Everyone go see the flick!
yourmomsmaster on Nov 1, 2008
6
Justin Long's cameo obliterates every other performance, seriously, I'll never be able to look at him again without thinking the words: "Cum Dumpster"
Homero on Nov 1, 2008
7
I fuckin LOVED this movie, it was the first time I've walked out a theater in a long time not bemoaning the fact that Hollywood stole another 12 bucks from me.
Briann G on Nov 2, 2008
8
The rating system needs to be abolished. Writers often fall to it as a crutch. A complex opinion can not be represented by a mere number.
B33 on Nov 2, 2008
9
Another tiresome, redundant use of male frontal nudity. The double standard against men continues. I hope that young men will soon realize that they are being had and refuse to see shows that do not include an equal amount of female frontal nudity. It is about respect and equality.
Tim1974 on Nov 3, 2008
10
When I saw this movie the whole theater was roaring with laughter for at least 3/4 of the movie. If you're a fan of his films, you won't be disappointed. If you're not, get the hell on board, cause this movie is hilarious. The movie has some of his most classic scenes by far, with some great performances and spectacular lines by Justin Long, Rogen, Mewes, and Craig Robinson who steals the show. I guarantee you won't leave the theater unsatisfied. It's like Clerks 2 had sex with Dogma, and left the horrendous emotional scenes at the door, and kept the bad dialogue thoroughly intact. Came across a site which has wallpapers and other interesting trivia of this movie.. Check out http://movies.iexplorehere.com/review/775/Zack-and-Miri-Make-a-Porno.html
agileankit on Nov 3, 2008
11
I thoroughly enjoyed it; between this and Role Models I've had a fun couple of weekends at the movies. Both films are hysterically funny, and though I think that Role Models is stronger from both a narrative and technical perspective, I will probably pick up the DVDs of both and pop them in whenever I need a good, clean... make that dirty laugh.
Lady Aerin on Nov 15, 2008
12
fuckin LOVED this movie, it was the first time I've walked out a theater in a long time not bemoaning the fact that Hollywood stole another 12 bucks from me. ooo miii lev..
porno on Nov 29, 2008
13
I loved this movie if it was me i would have given it a 10 out of 10. The sex scenes was funny except the poop that was funny and gross.
Guy on Dec 5, 2008
14
@9 Geeze, could you be more out of touch with this world? Finally, male frontal nudity isn't taboo is being used. We hardly EVER see movies with male nudity, and it's really only been the past 5...I've even go as far as 8-10 years that men have been put on the market. I hope you were kidding otherwise, I'll know how old you are and how limited your movie experiences are. In either case, I loved Zack and Miri. Everyone knew how raunchy this movie was going to be before you saw it so everyone in that theater is looking for the same good time, OK? And they delivered that plus a little romance to give it some sort of emotional character struggle. I'm loving Seth Rogan right now, so this movie rocked!
Kaye on Apr 28, 2009
15
I believe that it may be you who is out of touch of reality. There is an abumdance of male frontal nudity in mainstream American movies, new HBO series, and in plays. Apparently, males being exploited constantly doesn't bother you and here I always thought that females were all about equality. However, it appears many females are only interested in equality when it benefits themselves. I will agree that "Zack and Miri" did have both male and female frontal nudity. I have no problem with that. I do with the many films that show only male frontal nudity only. I should have specified that in my previous comment. It has become a disgusting trend and needs to be stopped. It is time for equality. Let's see as much female frontal nudity as male frontal nudity.
Tim1974 on Apr 29, 2009
17
Another tiresome, redundant use of male frontal nudity. The double standard against men continues. I hope that young men will soon realize that they are being had and refuse to see shows that do not include an equal amount of female frontal nudity. It is about respect and equality. :)))))
porno on Oct 13, 2009
18
I think a very good movie I would congratulate all böle oyuncular?da great work to say I really like the slant for tönetmeni already can not find a word to him all would like to thank all the films emegi days. 🙂
gokmen on Oct 27, 2009
19
film was released on 31 October 2008 I watched a little late, but I saw on my friend's advice I was following a very enjoyable and immersive iyikide there was an issue for many liked not recommend follow 🙂
olga on Oct 31, 2009
20
very nice film 🙂
olga on Oct 31, 2009
21
Thanks you.. When I saw this movie the whole theater was roaring with laughter for at least 3/4 of the movie. If you're a fan of his films, you won't be disappointed. If you're not, get the hell on board, cause this movie is hilarious. The movie has some of his most classic scenes by far, with some great performances and spectacular lines by Justin Long, Rogen, Mewes, and Craig Robinson who steals the show. I guarantee you won't leave the theater unsatisfied. It's like Clerks 2 had sex with Dogma, and left the horrendous emotional scenes at the door, and kept the bad dialogue thoroughly intact.
Element on Dec 27, 2009
22
Perfect lol 🙂 Analyzing Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno feels remarkably similar to what it must be like to review an actual porno. The film has baseline appeal, so the only question is whether it's really good or really bad. The film has a built-in draw since Smith mated his universe with Judd Apatow's, creating a cast and context that definitely gets you excited. But like most adult films, Zack and Miri serves a solitary purpose of providing a good time. Smith hits this low bar pretty easily, delivering punching, raunchy lines the likes of a headboard rapping against a wall. But for all the raucous obscenities and those fan-favorites delivering them, Zack and Miri is an adult film that delivers pretty much what's on the box.
silvia on Dec 27, 2009
23
In either case, I loved Zack and Miri. Everyone knew how raunchy this movie was going to be before you saw it so everyone in that theater is looking for the same good time, OK? And they delivered that plus a little romance to give it some sort of emotional character struggle. I'm loving Seth Rogan right now, so this movie rocked! lii..
porn-m on May 6, 2010
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