Few things irritate me more than a theater chain that refuses to show a film because they deem it inappropriate. And that's just what Larry Miller's Megaplex Theaters in Salt Lake City, UT did. Even though the MPAA gave the movie an R rating, Miller still opted to black ball it from his theaters. Funny thing is, they have no problem with torture porn, as they're currently showing Saw V. Come to think of it, Megaplex Theaters also had no problem showing Kevin Smith's own Clerks 2 back in 2006, a film that showcased, among other things, a man making love to a donkey. A bit of a double standard, don't you think? Perhaps Clerks 2 was more appropriate because it didn't have "Porno" in it's title.
This isn't to suggest that Zack and Miri isn't dirty. On the contrary, the film is loaded with verbal raunch, sexual activity, and a hilariously disgusting fecal matter gag that prompted me to blurt aloud; "Rewind!" as I sat their dumbfounded in the theater. In the end, as dirty as Zack and Miri is, it isn't much raunchier than the films we've seen from Judd Apatow's camp in the last few years (i.e. 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall).
Regardless of the material though, Megaplex Theaters really should have given audiences a choice. Yes, at the end of the day, it's ultimately Larry Miller's decision and yes, it's not like other theaters in the Salt Lake area aren't showing it. I just think a little consistency would be nice. Of course, they're not the only theater chain in the country that decided to keep Zack and Miri out of their movie houses. Take little independent chain Westates in St. George UT for instance. They also chose not to screen the movie. Why? Well as far as Westates go, I have no doubt far more pressure was involved. I'm sure it probably had to do with phone calls from the "moral" police threatening to not support Westates if they brought the film to town. I'm guessing these very same "moral" police haven't even seen the movie. Furthermore, it's quite clear that they don't believe in the first amendment. I'm also guessing these constant complainers embraced Mamma Mia!, a rather poorly produced musical whose main character's promiscuity is practically championed.
So how is Zack and Miri Make a Porno? Entertaining to a point, but hardly Kevin Smith's masterpiece. The film starts off strong enough introducing us to the film's title characters, best friends – and roommates – who come up with a most interesting solution in order to make ends meet. Zack suggests that they round up a crew – comprised mostly of their fellow coffee shop employees – and set out to make a porno. At first, Miri thinks Zack is off his rocker, but before long, she's ultimately bowled over by his enthusiasm. She not only agrees to help in the endeavor, but she also agrees to have sex with him in the film for, you know, prosperity. And this is really where Smith's heart and old school romantic sensibility come into play.
Sex is certainly the star of Zack and Miri Make a Porno. It's clear that Smith wants to push the proverbial envelope. But it's also a film about one's perception of sex. And in fact, as we meet Zack and Miri, sex is no big deal to them. They just as soon sleep with anything that moves in an attempt to get their rocks off. As the film progresses however, a certain event changes the way these two look at one another, and I really bought into that notion of the story.
What really irritated me about Zack and Miri Make a Porno were the tonal shifts. A big portion of the movie is extremely broad in approach. Some of the sex scenes are somewhat shocking, but they aren't really offensive because they're so completely comical in nature. When the film switches gears and delves into the love story, it's like a completely different movie. The balance just isn't quite right. While Smith has influenced a whole generation of film makers guys like Judd Apatow have taken the ball and run with it. Superbad had just the right mixture of raunch and heart, and while Smith is clearly going for that here, it doesn't quite come across. Too often in Zack and Miri, the dirty stuff overshadows what's so sweet about the film's center. It's a shame too because the adorable Elizabeth Banks is clearly up to the challenge. Their was an opportunity here for her to go into some really amazing places as an actress. I almost wish Smith would have devoted more time to Miri as a person. Shown us her insecurities and such. Banks conveys some of this stuff but the script doesn't really allow her to go for it. Seth Rogen is terrific too although this is, more or less, a variation of his lovable slacker role in Knocked Up. As a pair, Rogen and Banks prove to have quite a bit of chemistry, and their key moments in the picture are extremely effective.
There's actually quite a bit to like in this movie. In a way, Zack and Miri almost plays like a homage to Smith himself. I imagine that some of the things that prompt Zack to get into film making in this picture are the same things that prompted Smith to make Clerks nearly fifteen years ago. Smith is also a master at pop culture references. Here he winks at everything from Star Wars to Night of the Living Dead. And while these references aren't quite as witty as the ones in Smith's earlier films, they're still chuckle worthy. Furthermore, kudos to solid casting. Smith regular Jason Mewes returns as a porn star for hire whose pretty much up for anything. This includes a Jason Segal inspired moment towards the end of the film. Smith has also managed to round up some hilarious cameos that we'd rather not reveal in this review.
I would have preferred a more grounded in reality Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Something along the lines of Smith's best and most mature film, Chasing Amy. That picture had the raunch factor but it also had a kind of honesty and sincerity that Zack and Miri only seems to hint at. Smith is so busy talking about sex and trying to make us laugh, that he never truly allows these characters to come into their own. That's why the film doesn't truly earn it's sweet but slightly undeserving ending. In the end, Zack and Miri Make a Porno does offer up laughs and lead players Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks do prove to be quite an endearing pair. If Ed Wood had directed Boogie Nights, it might have ended up a little something like this. Certainly, the controversy surrounding Zack and Miri Make a Porno has been over bloated. There have been mainstream films that were far more explicit–I'm looking at you Basic Instinct.
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