Kevin Smith's new film, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," is like a candy bar with a crunchy, rugged outside and a creamy center -- raunchy, crude sexual humor with a soft little romance in the middle.
Zack (Seth Rogan) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are two long-term friends who live together in the epitome of what could be called a horrible living situation. They have no money to pay their bills so their water, heat and electricity are shut off. After visiting their high school reunion together and having a hilarious, yet strange encounter with a former classmate's boyfriend (Justin Long), Zack realizes the solution to all their financial woes -- why not make a porno?
Miri rejects the idea at first, but Zack's crazy enthusiasm about the project leads her to hop on board, and they even agree to have sex together for a scene. The two gather a cast and make a very low-budget production in the coffee shop where Zack works, with his best friend as the producer to fund it. The only problem: When sex is thrown in the picture -- literally -- the two face the reality of what casual sex with each other leads to -- a realization of the pent-up feelings that they have kept from each other.
The comedy was hilarious in the film, although you have to be one of those people who enjoy Smith's humor in order to appreciate it. The dialogue was dead-on for the type of movie he tried to make, and had the audience rolling the whole time. I was amazed and quite impressed that he didn't pull his usual Seth MacFarlane type of deal, with pop culture references laced throughout. Warning to those with weaker stomachs though: There will be a part to this movie that will either make you laugh hysterically or want to vomit. The reactions in the theater varied, but most laughed.
The acting was also quite believable for the characters. As a huge fan of "The Office," I was ecstatic to see that Craig Robinson was in the film. He probably delivered the best performance, as his humor was witty, quick and flowed incredibly well. His references to his wife had the audience in hysterics.
Rogan and Banks delivered good performances as well. Their on screen chemistry was easy to see, as they chucked jabs at each other left and right, as close friends do. The romance was cheesy, but that's to be expected of any film with a story of this nature. There was a lot of sex, so if you aren't comfortable watching that, then by all means stay home.
The other characters worked well together, including one of Smith's friends, Jason Mewes. (You may know him as Silent Bob's hetero life partner, Jay.) Other characters are no-namers, minus Jeff Anderson from Smith's "Clerks" films. Each one adds something different to the movie, and, all in all, the hilarity outweighs the vulgarity.
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