Review: Zach and Miri Make a Porno

The Plot in 13 Words

Best Friends Zack and Miri Make a Dirty Porno Picture with People from Pennsylvania

Star Whores!

A brilliant idea hits Zack (Rogen) when he and Miri (Banks) are sulking at bar: "Why don’t we make a porno?!" And so Kevin Smith takes this concept and goes all the usual places we’ve come to expect from the coarse but heartfelt and witty director. Don’t worry, you’re going to laugh your pantalones off during some parts. Rogen is still hilarious, Craig Robinson from the Office comes close to being the primary scene-stealer, and Banks keeps up with them every step of the way as if she’s one of the guys. The side characters (Kenny from Kenny Vs Spenny, the Apple guy, Superman, the dude from Clerks) are all well suited for the movie and score some more laughs.

Yes, Smith nails the comedy aspect. But the story fails to elevate the movie from its schmorgasboard on funny people saying dirty things. The story is actually interesting when it follows two completely unexperienced filmmakers trying to film a porno, but then Zack and Miri garner some funny feelings for each other, and then you have to try and give and hoot about their relationship, and the comedy turns to lame ass rom-com cliches. I didn’t want the two to fall in love! I wanted to see them succeed with their porn and have fun making more.  After all, they came up with twenty or so brilliant title ideas.

So in the end, the movie just line after line of nasty and hilarious dialogue that you can quote with your friends for the next couple of weeks. While the story is pretty lame and convetional, I guess it’s bearable enough to enjoy again sometime in the future. And if I’ve learned anything from Zack and Miri, it’s that everyone should dabble in porno at least once in their life. But please don’t force that love stuff into it, it’s a turn off (and you need some good lube too).

6/10 Fake Pornstar Boobs