Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Craig Robinson is funny)

Holy shit - am I too old for Kevin Smith? Clerks was one of those key movies I watched in my formative years. The filthy sex talk, the Star Wars references, the odd little touches (Berserker! A three-year-old smoking! Batshit-crazy guidance counsellors! 37 dicks!); all of it seemed like it was made to appeal directly to my perverse little mind. I followed Smith's efforts through the sophomore slump of Mallrats, to the sincere Chasing Amy, onto the controversy-courting Dogma, and I even went to the theatre for the ultimate 'View Askewniverse' (his series of recurring New Jersey-based characters) pic - Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

By this point, Smith's formula of man-children discussing sex and life in his uniquely clunky voice had run a little dry. Then Jersey Girl dropped. It took me a while to actually get around to watching it, as I figured the pg-13 rating would totally neuter Smith's profanity-laced screenwriting. I guess I was kind of right - the movie was sweet, almost saccharine, but the edge was gone. I did admire his valiant attempt at growth, even more so now in light of the 'back-to-well' (Kevin Smith's own words!) sequel Clerks II.

Which brings me to Zack and Miri Make a Porno. I loved the idea of this movie - Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks in the title roles, Kevin Smith casting outside of his usual repertoire of actors (at least for the leads), and the movie wouldn't be connected to his previous 'View Askewniverse' works. Unfortunately, the movie remains mired in the general sensibilities of Smith's past work. The uninspired shooting style, the gloriously filthy dialogue (which waffles between hilarious and groan-inducing), and the oddly inert and weirdly paced acts are on display here.

Basically, Zack and Miri is tried-and-true Kevin Smith filmmaking. The thing is - I don't know if that's enough anymore.

I'm not going to bother providing a synopsis of the movie - the amazing title does that all on its own. Seth Rogen does his best with the dialogue, and performs to mixed results. I love the guy, and he's had a meteoric rise up the comedy ranks with very few missteps; but I'm at the point where I need to see him stretch his acting muscles a bit. For a promising look at Rogen's next leading role, Observe and Report, click here. Elizabeth Banks actually puts in an awesome performance - she's the heart of the film and maybe the best leading lady to ever grace a Smith film (next to Joey Lauren Adams in Chasing Amy, natch!). She doesn't show bush, boob, or even sideboob, but she is adorable and convincing in the role. Also, she shakes her ass in grannie panties sans any trace of self-conciousness.

The supporting players are also a mixed bag. Jason Mewes plays Jason Mewes (actually he plays Lester, in a role seemingly designed to bag the actor himself more chicks post-release), and Traci Lords shows up as a slut, which I'm sure was a stretch. A certain Canadian [and mean-spirited and jewish] actor shows up early on for a funny cameo. Brandon Routh and Justin Long appear in the same sequence and prove that they're game for self-mockery and stepping to the edge of the cliff and jumping.

And then there's Craig Robinson. He plays Delaney, Zack's co-worker at his mundane coffe-shop job. He fucking nails his line delivery and single-handedly elevates the film from 'slight guffaws' to 'approaching decent'. Robinson laid the base as Darryl in TV's The Office, and followed it up with a great appearance in Knocked Up. With this performance I think he's poised to break out large and do some great things. He takes innocuous dialogue and totally owns it with his unique and disarming readings. Me likey Craiggers.

As for the movie itself - it plods along at that uniquely awkward Kevin Smith pace, clanging from one boring static interior shot to another, with some moderately funny quips along the way. The actual consummation of Zack and Miri's relationship is an oddly moving sequence that shows that Smith has not stagated entirely. Kevin - please pursue this avenue further. The second-act conflict that is required in all romantic comedies (and make no mistake - this is a romantic comedy) is contrived and predictable, with the third-act resolution arriving abruptly. But by that point, you've probably had enough.

There's a 'frosting' scene that merits laughs (and was apparently hard to sneak by the MPAA), but the reaction shot is cut short and makes you long for more full-on filthiness. Jason Mewes scores some laughs close to the credits when he describes a sex act that... well... I don't want to ruin that gag, but I would like to know if anyone has done or attempted this (feel free to comment below! We don't judge here at Filmspurt!).

Listen up true believers: it's another middle-of-the-road effort from Smith. I really hoped he'd be inspired by Judd Apatow's recent successes and produce something to rival flicks like The 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up. Instead, we have another Kevin Smith film which just so happens to rip on the newly-minted Apatow formula.

I give it two-and-a-half 'Dutch Rudders' out of five. If you're intrigued by that reference, then I guess this film may be for you. If not, then welcome to adulthood. You should probably eat more bran and drink only clear liquors.

On a side note, I'll be seeing Smith this Tuesday at a special screening of Dogma at The Bloor Cinema in Toronto. He's conducting a post-film Q and A and if you've got a decent question to ask him, post it below. More to come on that later.

Stay golden Ponyboy,
Filmspurt.