I loved it, actually. It was one of the cutest movies I've seen this year and in an odd way, I think it's about the value of loyalty in an oversexed world.
Sorry, Josh, here's an unsatisfactory effort by Kevin Smith, he leaves his film needing more, it's lazily told.
It had me laughing. Certainly. But it failed to arouse.
In fact, instead of watching Zack and Miri Make their awkward Porno, I'd rather be back at home in Albany having a soapy tit wank.
And here's why:
Rather than illuminating the lives of the characters or impacting the plot, virtually all the supporting characters are underused. They're functional in gross-out sight gags but lack an agenda and a memorable screen personality.
An appearance by Traci Lords was an opportunity to add a commentary on bad porn, something self-referential, something insightful, something sorely missed, she blows bubbles with a fanny fart but anybody could've done that.
Zack and Miri do Make Jizz. And there's something genuinely beautiful about the moment. But where's the set up? Instead of gradually waning Zack's sexual confidence or building Miri's anxiety, Kevin Smith glosses over 'raising the stakes' with his incessant dialogue. Zack clumsily soothes Miri. And then, they make the Porno.
Zack convincing Miri to Make the Porno is relatively easy, we're expected to buy her cheap I Will, in the same way we're expected to buy Katherine Heigl's falling in love with Seth Rogen in Knocked Up, both films are missing a scene where the female leads make a decision all by themselves.
But look at Elizabeth Banks, go on, look at that face, she's a radiant screen presence, isn't she?
NB: Ms. Banks, you're a radiant screen presence, that's a noble quality dear, never loose that. Because it often disappears with old age or entering politics.
Originally posted on:
Lewis Bostock