Zack and Miri Make A Porno

With Judd Apatow taking Smith's title as the champion of vulgar comedies with heart, Smith brings the full force of his scatological humour to bear to stay in the filth race. Zack and Miri Make A Porno is as bluntly obvious a title as those of the flesh films it jeers at and celebrates. In the crush of economic despair two life-long platonic friends decide that making a porno is the ticket to affluence, or at least getting their utility bills paid. This revelation comes after a particularly embarrassing high school reunion, a comedic high-water mark in the film thanks to the brilliant casting of Brandon Routhe and Justin Long as lovers, the later as a scene-stealing gay porn star. With that dirty seed planted, Zack and Miri solicit financing from Zack's co-worker Delaney, a jaded husband played by scene-stealer number two: Craig Robinson. Cash in hand, the budding porn entrepreneurs start casting and find a location to build a set for the high-concept skin flick StarWhores. A cast is locked in, featuring a couple of porn performers, young Canadian actor Ricky Mabe and Kevin Smith's stalwart muse of all things nasty, Jason Mewes, in a ball-baring role he was born to play. Problems arise and Smith takes the audience on a bit of a history lesson. A slacker chasing his passion with the help of friends, the limited means at his disposal and the sheer will to accomplish the project despite any technical shortcomings speak directly to Smith's DIY Clerks origins. Of course, at the core of all this sex, nudity and vocational achievement is a tenderly unfolding love story between two skilful and charming actors. Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks are among the leads best suited to the roles and material Smith has worked with. It's interesting to see so much improvisation in a View Askew production, a topic explored amongst the vast volumes of bonus content. The first disc has an insane amount of deleted and extended footage, leaving room on disc two for an extensive "making of." Smith fingers Chris Rock as his icebreaker for accepting improv. An interesting discussion on the casting of Rogan shows Smith started writing the role for him after seeing The 40-Year Old Virgin but had to approach him after Knocked Up made Rogan a huge star. Luckily for Smith, Rogan was a long-time fan. "Webisodes," "Comic-Con 2008," "Gag Reel" and a "Seth vs. Justin" improv battle all have hilarious moments, especially any time Jason Mewes or Justin Long are on screen. Smith may have mined Apatow's crew for some fresh funny but the biggest laughs still come from his own catches.