Show i Zack and Miri Make a Porno a crude comedy with a sweet edge I Diana Joy Jones Arts Reporter v If the title Zack and Miri Make a Porno isn't enough of an indication those familiar with Kevin Smiths Smith's previous films Clerks Mall Rats and most notably Chasing Amy will likely expect this film to be chockfull chockfull chockfull chock- chock full of vulgarities Not to undermine the crude factor but this films film's plentiful obscenities are also a up cover-up for a sweet bythe bythe bythe by- by the- the book romance Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks steer this film around its initial coarse subject matter with their natural chemistry Zac Rogen and Miri Banks are platonic roommates who have known each other since their days in high school Miri zips through life forgets to shut the bathroom door changes her clothes at Zac's place of employment in which she reveals granny panties' panties that serve as a cornerstone joke through-out through the film Zack keeps a na naive ve unassuming expression even when he spouts out lewd lines The two seem well grounded in their friendship and play other other with wistful swiftness i Despite I i their carefree J attitudes Zac and Miri are surrounded by debt After the water gets shut off and Miri is forced to rinse her hair in water from the toilet tank the two realize they have a serious dilemma on their hands At their lowest point the two sit in front of a makeshift fireplace A metal garbage can which encases a blazing fire fueled by a pile of unpaid bills and devise a plan to save their residence When all logic fails and your stuck in a Kevin Smith movie why not make millions and shoot a porno This is where the plot synopsis takes a turn into territory best left uncharted Every sexual reference that can be employed is The title leaves little Seth Roen Elizabeth Hanks axles f m f m mJ M f mm mm I m made a movie movie so titillating that we can only omy show shoal you this drawing i i oo make a porno E r w T w u t wr w 41 f B M I PW r 11 K HIP Mn B K ll 11 IWi R Q 4 G r r. r October 31 to the imagination and neither does this movie There is some restraint but what really dampens the tati v nature f Of this film is the underlying romance H I nr 1 ii I m r p 1 mil t What makes the movie is that Rogen's genuine facial expressions and Banks' Banks lighthearted quality make their char characters likeable They are down on their luck and have questionable methods but within their humanity there are glimpses of charm Despite the two leads the side characters have some fun themselves Jason Clerks Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is along for the ride Though is barely recognizable from the loud obnoxious Jay character he has played in previous Smith films His hair is cut short and he struts about the film a lot more quietly then usual usual- usual though though his character is still pretty uncouth to I say the least Traci Lords veteran actress with a number of racy films in her credit plays Bubbles and she seems delighted for I Ithe the chance to play up on the cliche of the porn porn star Unfortunately even if you focus on the loving fun-loving cast contrivances that this film cant can't seem to avoid The buoyancy of Zac and Miri Mid starts to fizzle as it progresses into familiar territory This movie is mainly for fans of Smith who does admittedly have a way of adding whimsy to offensive material The films film's real assets again are Rogen and Banks They have a great dynamic together in Zac and Miri and further showcase their abilities as appealing comedic actors Zack and Miri Make a Porno is rated R for full frontal nudity sex vulgarity language and racial epithets |