Zack And Miri Make A Porno

Jun 22, 2009 | 1 Comment | @andrewmarcec

In this economy job security is a thing of a past, and according to statistics each new generation grows further and further into debt.  As the internet opens more venues of new and interesting ways to make money, how far would you go to survive?  If you were down to your last couple of dollars, had no friends or family to turn to, what lengths would you go to to pay the bills?  A part-time retail job, pan-handling, porn?  This is the exact situation that Zack and Miri find themselves in, and choose to go the latter route.

Zack and Miri have been friends since first grade, and are currently two incredibly close roommates that are struggling to pay their bills.  Due to some poor money management, unnecessary purchases, and low paying jobs they find themselves in an apartment with no utilities.  They seek a reprieve at a local bar where Zack misconstrues Miri’s joke, and thinks that making a porn is a great idea.  After a long talent search, and much scrutinizing over the genre and title of the film, Zack and Miri make their porn.  However, tensions between the two rise on set posing the question, can anyone really have sex without feelings?  Is a friendship strong enough to survive anything?

Kevin Smith came back to the screen fresh, and sans Jay and Silent Bob, to write and direct his best work since “Chasing Amy”.  He really developed well rounded characters that you could really relate to.  There were several points where, when the outcome of Zack and Miri’s friendship was in question, the audience genuinely cared whether or not they made it.  This is much different from his usual dick and fart joke films (though this one was not totally devoid of that humor).  Kevin also did an excellent job writing dialogue that is incredibly realistic.  Everyone has that one friend of the opposite sex who you are like a sibling to, and you are open enough to have those conversations with.

Another thing that Kevin did a great job with, was the porn.  It was very obvious that Kevin had done a lot of research into the porn industry (even if he didn’t mean to), and went so far as to note actual porn films (“Edward Penishands”), cast current and former porn stars Katie Morgan and Traci Lords, and even had the actors overact and mug for the camera as they filmed for the first time.  Though Kevin brought humor to set, and showed how odd it has to be to perform in front of a camera and professional onlookers, he did not portray it as a glamorous profession.

This film also came under harsh scrutiny nationwide because of the advertising campaign.  The original poster (featured at the top) was deemed too controversial because it almost appears as if the characters are receiving oral sex.  Several other poster concepts were thought of, but it was the one that Seth Rogan joked about that made it.  Seth said to Kevin that they should just use stick figures because it was all the MPAA would allow (see below).  Also, many states were upset of the word “porno” in the film’s actual title.  Even after Kevin Smith cut the title down to just “Zack and Miri”, the states would still not approve to market it to be spiteful.

All in all this is an incredibly funny film that hardcore Kevin Smith fans, and first time experimenters will love.  Pick this up on blu-ray!

Trailer:

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1 Comment to “Zack And Miri Make A Porno”

  1. Kira

    Jun 22nd, 2009

    I totally agree about this film. I didn’t expect to like it because I’ve been sick of Kevin Smith for a while and it didn’t sound like my sense of humor. But it actually had heart and the humor was a little immature but still tasteful. I loved the characters and it’s one of those movies I could watch over and over!

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