DVD REVIEW: Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Directed by Kevin Smith
(Weinstein Company)

I always said (though nobody but me was listening) that what Kevin Smith needed was good actors to deliver his often chunky, but usually very funny dialogue and he’d have winning films. I’ve championed all the guy’s efforts, (being a Jersey guy just like Smith how could I not?) from Clerks to Mallrats to Chasing Amy (my personal fave Smith flick) and to his last, Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

As the films name implies Z&M isn’t really about much more than Zack, played by Seth Rogen and Miri, played by the bubbly Elizabeth Banks, trying to stave off eviction by making a porno. With great guest turns by old Smith alumnus Jason Mewes, Craig Robinson (of ‘The Office’ fame), new superman Brandon Routh and Justin Long-in one very hilarious scene-and ‘real’ porn stars Traci Lords and Katie Morgan.

There’s a love story at the crux of Z&M but it’s not all that convincing since Smith takes too much time with the porno’s particulars (there’s a really unneeded scene about the storage locker/film set burning down) and not enough with showing the unrequited tension between Zack and Miri.

Still, you’re bound to laugh at Zack and Miri Make a Porno. There’s great Smith one-liners and Rogan, Robinson, and Justin Long are especially funny. This 2 disc DVD also has extras like: “Popcorn Porn: The Making of Zack and Miri” and “Money Shots Webisodes.”

Ralph Greco, Jr.