MOVIE REVIEW: Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)

In 2002, I wrote a film book that ended up as one of my most praised (not to mention best-selling...) director studies.

In An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith, I described how the New Jersey-born filmmaker serves as Generation X's Woody Allen; a writer/director obsessed with the holy comedy trifecta of love, romance and sex...and not necessarily in that order.

As a filmmaker, Kevin Smith is a Grade A intellect who deploys a grade school sense of humor -- a predilection for what he calls "dick and fart" jokes -- to make trenchant points about the universal verities of human nature. Smith's unique creative formula consists of canny Generation X touchstones or allusions, plus a focus on the nitty-gritty of romantic relationships (with a heavy focus on realism...) and more than a dash of absolutely raunchy, potty-mouth humor.

In the right proportions, and under the right circumstances, this can prove a magical equation. Accordingly, Smith's approach served him well with critics and audiences in the 1990s with films such as Clerks (1994), Chasing Amy (1997), and, to a lesser degree, Dogma (1999).

The 21st century hasn't been as kind to Smith or his cinematic work.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) is indeed hysterically funny -- a gift to fans -- but perhaps too insular a product for the average movie-goer. Jersey Girl (2004) was accused of blunting Smith's delightfully raw edges...even if the film's heart was in the right place. And Clerks 2 (2006) -- regardless of the film's nostalgia factor and overall good humor -- was perceived by some as career retreat; a sanctuary where the filmmaker could weather the storm over the failure of Jersey Girl.

All this history, however, is but prologue leading up to the arrival of Kevin Smith's latest movie, Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008). To my delight, it's Smith's authentic return to top form. In fact, Zack and Miri finds the writer-director at his bawdiest and most clever.

I'll be more specific even than that: this comedy is likely Smith's finest cinematic outing since Chasing Amy, and perhaps the funniest since Clerks. I usually mock critics who declare that movies are laugh-out loud funny, but -- hell -- I laughed out loud in Zack and Miri. A lot.

Only Smith, an unrepentant X'er, could marry the syrupy romantic-comedy formula with the bracing, ridiculous nature of X-rated adult films and emerge with a movie that is not simply sweet, not merely compassionate, but actually life-affirming.

And surely only Smith could pepper his genre-bending comedy with so many off-the-wall-references to pop culture history. For instance, he gives Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979-1981) a shout-out with a reference to Twiki and Dr. Theopolis, but in a sexual context (!) And then Smith gives 1980s action-television a nod with an allusion to one character being something akin to a "filthy MacGyver."

Smith doesn't stop there, either. He sets his entire movie in the very burb where George A. Romero shot Dawn of the Dead (1979), called Monroeville. He even takes his cameras to the very mall (interior and exterior) where most of that movie's horrific action took place...and it looks exactly the same, thirty years later. Given that fact, there's some ironic subtext here about Zack and Miri being distinctly un-zombie-like in a town and world that seem to encourage conformity, consumption and zombie-ism.

And surely, only Kevin Smith could get away with Zack and Miri's first effort at a porno film. It's a film called Star Whores and it features characters including Darth Vibrator, Hung Solo, Luke Skybanger, and R2-T-Bag.

And did I mentioned the Phallus-shaped Dia-Noga?
In terms of story, Zack and Miri Make A Porno is the tale of two lovable losers, Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks). They have been best friends since high school and now, nearing thirty years old, they share an apartment together. Still, they've put up force fields in their personal life; careful never to stray into the dangers of a romantic (or sexual...) relationship. This is despite the fact that they argue, debate and laugh like an old married couple.

Zack and Miri can't make the rent for their shitty apartment, and their power and water gets turned off the very night of their ten-year high school reunion. At that event, Zack comes up with a brilliant money-making scheme after an encounter with two gay porn stars (Justin Long and Brandon Routh). He decides that he and Miri should make a porno film.

So, with an entourage of crazy characters in tow -- from money man Delaney (Craig Robinson) and videographer Deacon (Jeff Anderson), to a porno wannabe named Lester (Jason Mewes) and an industry veteran named Bubbles (Traci Lords). -- Miri and Zack are set to emerge Porn Stars for the Internet Age. Much of the film's tension (and comedy) arises from the fact that Miri and Zack -- "just friends" -- will finally have sex together...but on camera. The film's final act deals with the repercussions of their decision to do just that.

Given this set up, the first half of the film is a raunchy extravaganza, and the last half is something a bit more touching. Sometimes a good director knows how to get out of the way of his story and characters...and just let things unfold in front of the camera. That's what a trusting, confident and mellow Smith does with dynamic effect in the third act here. As Zack and Miri prepare to take center stage and film their sex scene together, all the outrageous comedy bells and whistles drop away. The audience is left with a painfully earnest, clumsy, raw, honest sequence that acknowledges the deep friendship between this "couple," and the gentleness, irritation and love with which they treat each other. In typical Smith fashion, the awkward scene unfolds and Zack and Miri never stop talking, never stop bickering, never stop being...in love.

I often decry the state of American film comedy in the 21st century. I hate how disposable studio comedies pretend to be brutal but serve only to reinforce the status quo in their third acts. I'm reminded, for example, of the abominable Wedding Crashers...which I fucking hated. That movie introduced two great scoundrels in Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn's characters, gave them some truly wicked comedic business to vet..but then spent the entire over-long film on reforming them both and proving that wedding crashing is, you know, bad.

The 40-Year Old Virgin is the same story. It starts out wicked and wonderful but ends up all smug happiness, hugs and puppies. It doesn't live up to the brutality of its title, and a comedy without brutality isn't worth a pot of spit.

What I enjoyed so much about Zack and Miri Make a Porno is that neither the characters -- nor Smith himself --back away from the premise, or ever stand in judgment of it. Zack and Miri do have sex on camera, in a porno, in this movie, and they don't flagellate, torture or punish themselves over that fact. Even better, the movie doesn't ask us to judge them or their illicit activities as immoral, bad or worthy of condemnation. Good comedy is observation, not judgment. Where movies like Wedding Crashers of 40-Year Old Virgin forget or ignore that important fact, Zack and Miri remembers. We don't go see a comedy to laugh a little, and then get a sermon. We see a comedy to laugh, and -- if we're lucky - connect with a unique world view or experience.

Also, Smith doesn't trade in stereotypes. Indeed, his characters are sometimes slightly-exaggerated (or larger than life, perhaps), but they're also -- miraculously -- very true to life. As with Holden and Alyssa in Chasing Amy, you'll detect something of yourself and your mate, spouse, or significant other in the tribulations, victories and pettiness of Zack and Miri. You'll recognize their fears, insecurities and dreams... and become invested in them and their success. I guarantee it.

That Smith can forge so strong a sense of identification amidst ridiculous humor (including a bubble gag with Traci Lords, and the best constipation joke in years...), is a testament to his talent...at observation. At listening.

Kevin Smith's movies are simultaneously forthright and without guile...and he's made a lot of enemies on all sides of the political spectrum by simply telling things like they are. From the right, Catholics went to war with Smith (one of their own...) over Dogma, and Smith had to contend with bomb threats against his family on a daily basis. From the left, Smith was bombarded by the Gestapo-like tactics of GLAAD for his use of the word "gay" as a playground pejorative in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Like that never happened before Kevin Smith...

And, true to form, Zack and Miri Make a Porno also proved highly controversial to moral watchdogs last year. Because it has the word...porno...in the title. Apparently many theater chains wouldn't screen the film, and Smith had to wrestle with the MPAA to avoid an X-rating. A result of such controversy is that the movie didn't make nearly as much money as it should have, or would have.

Which kind of sucks. So if you're inclined, give Zack and Miri Make a Porno a whirl on the old DVD player. If you're in tune with Smith's style and world-view, the film may remind you why you fell in love with your significant other. If not, at least you'll get a lot of really good laughs.