Every time I see a new Seth Rogen film advertised, I assume it was directed by Judd Apataow. There, I said it. And you all thought it too, so don’t judge me.

 

From what I hear, Zack and Miri Make a Porno was greenlit by the studio based solely on the title, and that’s pretty much why I wanted to see it. But I got really excited when I realized that it wasn’t Apatow’s new one, but Kevin Smith’s. I know, I’m slow on that one, shut up.

 

Kevin Smith is Obi-Wan Kanobi to Judd Apatow’s Skywalker, plain and simple. They both have great senses of humor, a good eye for direction, and a group of solid actors to work with. But Smith has always had more substance in his films. Sure, Apatow deals with 40-year-old virgins, and getting pregnant after a one-night-stand, but Smith has always been able to make a great comedy about real people having fantastic dialog in blue-collar settings. (And anyone who places all of their movies in New Jersey gets a nod from me.) 

 

That’s why I was so confused watching this movie. The plot could’ve been claimed by either director: Two long time friends and roommates are down and out, with a pile of unpaid bills. After a chance encounter at a high school reunion, they decide to get some extra income by making a porno, with the help of some friends.

It is hilarious. How can random people trying to make a porno not be? Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks have a great interaction, they know they’re out of their element, and they don’t care. Jason Mewes is…typical. Craig Robinson and Jeff Anderson are still really funny in a subtle way. Even Brandon Routh is now almost completely forgiven for Superman Returns.

 

One thing I have always liked about Kevin Smith is the ease with which he blends ridiculous humor, witty realistic dialog, and sincere emotion. I really do feel that the blending was a bit off with this one. Maybe it really is just Rogen’s connection to Apatow that threw me. But as entertaining and hysterical as this film is, I’m still confused, because it’s either Judd Apatow’s best film, or Kevin Smith’s worst film (not counting Jersey Girl, and taking into account that Smith cannot ever make a bad movie.)

I think the problem is just me. I need to give Seth Rogen more credit, and Judd Apatow needs to suck Kevin Smith’s Cockuccino. 

 

Final Grade: A-

Leave Comment

Name

Email

Website

Comment