Zach & Miri Make a Porno (2008)

Zach and Miri make a porno (2008) is the latest offering from Kevin Smith, and revolves around two long-time platonic friends who decide to enter the adult film business to solve their financial woes. It's a bit of a stretch, but the winning cast makes it work, with Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as the title pair, with Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes, and Traci Lords as supporting cast (in the movie and in the movie in the movie). The chemistry between Rogen and Banks is probably what makes the somewhat silly premise both believable and sweet. Much of the sex is outright stupid, which is really the point. The goal, in our adult lives, successful or not, is to fall in love, and find intimacy. And, typically, this has been under our nose all along. Like The Wizard of Oz, but with more swearing and potty humor.

And I think Smith makes a wise choice to leave himself out of the movie, and attend to what he does best: cementing the details of late-20-something life in the cold, wintery, dead-end little town you went to high school in. And it's effective. You care about the characters, and root for them, even though (or because) they're adorable losers - perfectly, relatably flawed.

Cinematography is by David Klein, who has worked with Smith in the past, and done a lot of TV (including Pushing Daisies). Smith himself does the editing, and I think he's to be commended. The story moves swiftly without overexploiting its laughs and gaffes. The sentiment is sweet but not overbearing; and the happy ending is deserved.