Zack and Miri: A Review

Zack and Miri Make a Porno sounds like it should be awesome, but it is a disappointment.

On paper, this movie wins the internet:

The idea of Kevin Smith embracing the style of recent 'Apatow style' comedies should be a 'best of both worlds' type of deal, and the plot - two broke, platonic friends decide to make a porno to get out of debt - sounds tailor made for a filthy, hilarious romp.

But it doesn't really work. The film swings between filth and cheesy sentimentality. It feels like two competing movies a lot of the time.

The premise that pornography has gone mainstream is mentioned in the film, and is unwittingly proven by the tameness of proceedings. The concept hangs there with nothing really to support it. The love story grows to encompass the whole plot, so that the initial idea of the film being made is abandoned without any resolution.

Elizabeth Banks acts well and Seth Rogan is capable, but none of the other characters grow beyond a one sentence description.

Of course, a film like this can often get a pass on all else if it is funny. Sadly, Zack and Miri isn't all that funny either. While there are some great gags, it's not consistently hilarious like, say, Anchorman or Clerks, which both took an obvious concept and rode it for all it was worth.