Zack and Miri Make a Porno – DVD Review

By Jeff Swindoll Feb 16, 2009, 22:20 GMT

Get ready for the wild comedy that goes where no movie has dared go before! Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express) and Elizabeth Banks (Role Models) star as two cash-strapped roommates who try to get out of debt by making an adult film. Once the cameras start rolling, things quickly get complicated...and hilarious! Writer/Director Kevin Smith is at his funniest, backed by a motley cast, including Craig Robinson ("The Office"), Jason Mewes ...more

“Let us [censored]!”

You wouldn’t think that any movie with porno in the title would be a romantic comedy, but director Kevin Smith isn’t one to take the normal course.  It may be a bit raw, but Zack and Miri Make a Porno is a warm, cute film that also teaches you the meaning of a “Dutch Rudder” (you may not want to know).  

Zack Brown (Seth Rogen) and Miri Linky (Elizabeth Banks) are roomies.  Nothing less, nothing more.  The two have been BBFs since first grade and see no romantic possibilities in their relationship.  The not-so-dynamic duo has a stack of unpaid bills and is struggling to get caught up. 

Miri works at the mall and Zack is a barista at a local coffee shop.  The biggest event of their social calendar currently is their high school reunion.  Miri is excited to finally to get to see Bobby Long (Brandon Routh) who she had a crush on in school.  Don’t know why since Bobby gave her the dreaded high school nickname “Stinky Linky.” 

While Miri goes and tries to woo him Zack strikes up a conversation with Brandon St. Randy (Justin Long) at the punchbowl.  It turns out that St. Randy is a gay porn star and that he’s attending the reunion with his lover – Bobby.  Cue awkward moment for Miri, which Zack revels in. 

When the two go back to their apartment to drown their sorrows they find that the power and water have been cut off for lack of payment.  Miri has become a viral star because two punk kids used their cell phones to get some video of her when she was changing at the coffee shop.

Zack comes up with the idea that they should make a porno since he found out from St. Randy how much money he was making shooting and distributing his gay porno films.  That would be the end of all their money troubles.  The two decide that they only “do it” with each other since they’re such good friends and promise that having sex will not interfere with their friendship. 

Zack convinces his old chum Delaney (Craig Robinson) to bankroll their venture and take producer’s credit.  Casting begins in earnest and they add Lester (Jason Mewes), Bubbles (Traci Lords, no stranger to the industry herself), Barry (Ricky Mabe), stripper Stacey (Kati Morgan), and shot by his buddy Deacon (Jeff Anderson). 

They come up with the idea of Star Whores and rent a warehouse to shoot their naughty epic in (a Tom Savini cameo as the warehouse owner).  After shooting some test photos of the elaborate costumes and sets the crew goes home for a good night’s rest before shooting and screwing their brains out. 

The next day that arrive to find that the warehouse has been demolished with all their equipment inside (don’t rent a warehouse from Tom Savini).  Depressed and even more broke than before they gather at the coffee shop to commiserate, but Zack discovers that the owner has installed some surveillance equipment and they requisition it to shoot their new epic Swallow my Cockuccino!

“Touching and endearing” are not exactly words that you’d use to describe most porno movies.  “A tear formed in my eye at the money shot” might not also be in most reviews, but I digress. 

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is the latest film from wunderkind director Kevin Smith.  He’s created a very cute film with this one and it actually does become endearing by the end.  Though you should be warned that the subject matter is very adult and if you read endearing and think that grandma would enjoy watching it you may have another thing coming as there’s some very frank sex scenes and sex talk. 

Unless you want granny taking the definition of a “double Dutch rudder” back to the nursing home then you might want to reconsider (though I’ve heard lately that some homes are becoming dens of iniquity with the rise (har de har har) of Viagra).  If the subject matter wasn’t a bit risqué then it might be the perfect date movie. 

Zack and Miri are an unlikely match that have never really considered romance and think of each other as more like brother and sister.  You think that they’re an item at first since they’re living together, but you quickly realize that it’s more a friendship than a romance.  It’s not until romance, brought on by a supposed to be uninvolved sexual encounter, and rears its ugly head that things get troubling for the two. 

The plot does move along at the usual romantic flow (characters fall in love, complications ensue causing going of separate ways, then get back together in time for credits to roll), but it does end up tugging a few heartstrings before it all comes to a close. 

A romantic happy ending, which gives this film a potentially sticky end considering the potential dual meaning of the term.  I’m going to wash my hands after typing that last sentence but I did enjoy the film.  

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  Disc one contains 94 minutes of deleted scenes as its only special feature.  Though it’s great that we get enough of those to make another film, it’s disappointing that Kevin Smith doesn’t provide a commentary. 

Disc two starts off with the 74 minute “making of” called “Popcorn Porn.”  There are also 47 minutes of webisodes made to promote the film.  Next is a 23 minute “Comic-Con 2008” appearance by the cast and crew.  The 13 minute “Gang Bang” is a collection of outtakes, adlibs, and bloopers. 

Finally you get the 7 minute “Seth vs. Justin” which is a collection of adlibs that Rogen and Long did during their big scene in the movie.  

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is really a date movie that has been spiced up with screwing so that the guy’s have something to watch as well.  You’re a tricky one, Kevin Smith.  There are some raw moments, but it’s ultimately a film that’s both sticky and sweet.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is now available at Amazon. It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a March 23rd release. Visit the DVD database for more information.