Zack and Miri Make a Porno Reviews

"EVERYBODY wants to see ANYBODY fuck. I hate Rosie O'Donell, but if somebody said "I got a tape of Rosie O'Donell getting fucked stupid" I'd be like "Why the fuck aren't we watching that right now?""

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is one of Kevin Smith's most purely enjoyable and accessible motion pictures to date, a straight-up crude comedy in the vein of The 40-Year-Old Virgin that manages to supplement its humour with heart and depth. It's an ideal project for Smith, calling for his usual modus operandi of profane mischief, unfussy technical specs and a sizable roster of familiar faces. Written and directed by the filmmaker, the film is also firmly in the Smith's comfort zone. Over the years, Smith has repeatedly declined offers to tackle superhero movies and other projects since he knows his limitations. He often does much the same thing in terms of humour and content with his movies, but at least he's good at this stuff.

Sharing an apartment together, do-nothing barista Zack (Seth Rogen) and his long-time school friend Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are destitute, hopelessly behind on their bills and facing homelessness. After their 10-year high school reunion further highlights their lousy circumstances, and after their water, heating and electricity are all shut off, Zack and Miri agree that drastic measures are in order. Desperate to get out of their financial hole, the pair decide to act upon an off-the-cuff idea to make a porno and reap the monetary benefits. Teaming with friends Delaney (Craig Robinson) and Deacon (Jeff Anderson), as well as eager performers Lester (Jason Mewes), Stacey (Katie Morgan) and Bubbles (Traci Lords), they begin production on their porno odyssey, shooting after hours at the local coffee shop where Zack works. Zack and Miri agree to have their first sexual encounter on-camera, but the filming brings out emotions and feelings that the pair never knew they had.

The ultimate narrative trajectory of Zack and Miri Make a Porno is predictable, but, as with all the best comedies, it's more about the journey than the destination. As proved countless times before, Smith has a talent for witty dialogue and entertaining characters, and this remains unchanged here. Zack and Miri Make a Porno is loaded with side-splitting one-liners, hilarious bantering and film references - the characters initially set out to make a Star Wars porno parody called Star Whores, with character names and costumes destined to provoke belly-laughs. As the characters talk, they constantly name-drop websites, movies, actors and other pop-culture stuff, not to mention there's plenty of profanity. Critics have slammed the movie for its excessive language, but Smith is a poet with profane words, and the swearing comes off as a natural part of the characters' vocabulary rather than a gratuitous addition.

With each new film, Smith continues to grow as a filmmaker. He has come a long way since the drably-filmed, amateurish Clerks. - Zack and Miri Make a Porno is visually accomplished, and it's as competent and well-paced as one could reasonably expect from a simple comedy sans big visual effects. Sensitive viewers should tread lightly, as Smith does not baulk from capturing the type of content one would expect from a movie about shooting a porno. Nudity and sex scenes abound, which led to the MPAA slapping the film with an NC-17 rating (not a new experience for Smith). Indeed, the film is just as aggressive as its title. Speaking of the title, it stirred up much controversy, leading to advertisements and even DVD covers shortening the title to Zack and Miri, much to Smith's chagrin. It seems like a strange move to shorten the title as such, since it may fool viewers into believing the film to just be a simple, sweet romantic comedy. Oh boy, that would be a regrettable error. Besides, is the word "porno" really that bad in a world where the Sex and the City movie can be widely advertised?

Smith's best movies are those which are about something, and tackle some sort of life issue. He's also good at telling personal stories that incorporate the writer-director's own experiences (see Chasing Amy). Zack and Miri Make a Porno continues in this vein. The way that the crew make the porno is very much reminiscent of the way Smith produced 1994's Clerks.: shot in the writer-director's place of work at night and produced on the cheap, using hockey sticks for boom poles and only a tiny crew. Smith also probes a sensitive topic: long-time friends becoming romantically involved. The scene depicting Zack and Miri's on-camera sex is one of the director's finest moments; it begins as a hilarious parody of awkward porn situations, but the actual sex is sweet and romantic, even though the characters are on top of a bag of coffee beans. The dramatic aspects of the story do not feel like obligatory rom-com stuff; Smith actually put some emotion and feeling into it, resulting in something fairly mature. The best thing about Zack and Miri Make a Porno, though, is that it still works as entertainment despite its dramatic material.

In the lead roles, Rogen and Banks are marvellously talented and sharp. Rogen just leaned on his usual shtick here, but he's terrific at what he does, espousing charisma and spouting obscenities with confidence. Smith wrote the role of Zack with Rogen in mind, and has stated he would not have made the film if Rogen wasn't interested. Banks, meanwhile, is hugely endearing and beautiful. Rogen and Banks don't exactly share sizzling chemistry, but they're both believable in their respective roles. The supporting cast is fun and colourful, with Robinson and Smith regular Anderson enormously entertaining as the crew of the movie. Jason Mewes (the Jay to Kevin Smith's Silent Bob) is also present here, putting in a playful performance as uninhibited performer Lester. Likewise, real-life porn star Katie Morgan makes a good impression. Added to this, Justin Long and Brandon Routh show up in cameo roles, and their work is hilariously shameless.

If you're in the right mindset, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is a perfect time-waster, enjoyable and thoughtful. It's perhaps one of Smith's less daring filmmaking endeavours, as it essentially uses the When Harry Met Sally formula...except it involves making a dirty movie. Plus, the film not as mature or insightful as Smith's Chasing Amy. Nevertheless, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is good fun, and it's hard to imagine Smith's fanbase being dissatisfied with it.

7.8/10

I already saw this movie but since it was a while back and since I have it on DVD, I was quite eager to check it out again. To be honest, even though the title and the concept were pretty awesome, eventually, the movie didn't really fulfill my expectations. I remember it very well, before this flick was released, there was a big buzz about it and some major controversy, mostly about the title. Indeed, many found it inappropriate to have the ‘P’ word in the title but I thought it was genius and a rather impressive marketing stunt. However, as usual with Kevin Smith, the whole thing turned out to be quite harmless. I mean, I have to admit that it was funny, entertaining and all but I wish it had been edgier. Above all, up until they start to shoot their porn flick, the damned thing was actually pitch-perfect and very often quite hilarious. Unfortunaly, it seems that Kevin Smith pretty much chickened out concerning the shooting of the porn flick as it turned out to be terribly tame and, above all, not really entertaining.  Anyway, apparently, Smith was really disappointed that this movie did underperform at the box-office and he thought, especially with Seth Rogen involved, that he would have had some commercial success but it wasn’t meant to be. Personally, I thought it was quite understandable. I mean, on one hand, many people would obviously avoid a movie with such a title and subject, whereas the audience who might be interested didn’t care much for it since it was so tame. Still, in spite of its flaws, I thought it was a nice ride and it is definitely some compulsory viewing for any decent Kevin Smith fan.

Hahahahaha! What a really funny film this is. It is a film that I don't think people will appreciate because of the silly story and the title name. Some people might get the wrong impression of the film because of the title name. No, it isn't a porn film but it is a film about porn where they make a porn film. It is a very crude film. Probably the crudest film I've ever watched as far as sexual language is concerned. This is a film that I think a teenager shouldn't watch with parents or siblings because of the embarassment. It is probably better watching it with friends so you can follow story and joke with them about the dialogue of the film. It is a very dirty film but it is a deep, affectionate film as well because the two friends who are the lead in their porn film start to fall in love.


Seth Rogen is probably the best comedian of his age. He has become an actor with making a comedy of seriousness. His performance as Zack was hilarious and serious at the same time. Zack is obviously a complete idiot but a really nice guy as well. Elizabeth Banks was good as Miri as well because she's really good for her character. It is brilliant chemistry between all of the characters. It reminds me a lot of the way Ben Stone and Alison Scott were in Knocked Up. They do something that affects their relationship and then they start to fall in love which is what Zack and Miri end up doing.


Overall, Zack And Miri Make A Porno is a funny film that I enjoyed but is just for entertainment nothing else. Seth Rogen has become a very interesting actor for me now because I loved Knocked Up and I really enjoyed this. Zack And Miri Make A Porno is probably the crudest film I've ever watched. It isn't the funniest film of 2008 but it is one of the best comedies of 2008. It is a very enjoyable film that I could watch again at some point in the future.

If your looking for a way to tickle your funny bone and don't mind crude humor, this may be the movie for you. The language is pretty strong and the comedy is mostly sexual in nature but it is funny. Just make sure the kids are in another room when you watch this one.

The plot revolves around Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Bank's characters. The two roommates are having trouble keeping up with the bills and keep falling behind. The last straw is when the power and water get turned off in their apartment. After going to their high school reunion, they get the idea that they can make a porno by themselves.

With the help from a few friends and real porn stars, the two set out the make the movie. Of course things don't go according to plan and the fun begins. Katie Morgan and Traci Lords have key parts and really support the movie and the porno. Blowing bubbles will never be the same after watching this one. Mewes also lets it all hang out for his role (literally). Looking for a funny movie without putting too much thinking into it, this movie should fit the bill.

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