Sex and the granny knickers (Zack And Miri Make A Porno (DVD))

Member Name: sunmeilan

Product:	Zack And Miri Make A Porno (DVD)
Date:	14/06/09 (137 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny, sweet at times

Disadvantages: Very very very crude!

Zack and Miri have been friends since the first grade. Having no other family, they now live together, yet have never considered getting together as a couple, feeling that it would just be too weird. However, when they struggle to pay their bills and the water and electricity are turned off, they are forced to come up with a solution to their problems. A chance meeting with a gay porn star provides them with this solution - why not make a porn film? Miri is initially unsure, but Zack persuades her by saying that she won't have to have sex with anyone but him. But then, during the course of filming, Miri realises that directing a film has brought out the best in Zack and she begins to see him in a different light; plus it seems that Zack's feelings are changing too. Will the two of them get together? Or has making a porn film ruined any chances of them having a relationship?

First things first. The clue to this film is in the title. It is, indeed, about making a porno, although it isn't as graphic as and does have more of a storyline than your average porno. So anyone who thinks that, because Seth Rogen appears, it is going to be more of a comedy than anything else could be in for a shock. There is a huge amount of sex talk, quite a lot of sex on screen (albeit minus graphic close-ups) and lots of swearing. For anyone that is likely to be offended by this, or that prefers their love stories to be romantic, perhaps with a bit of chaste kissing included, this film is not going to be for you. To be fair, the title really should give all this away, but I have read reviews of people who have watched it not expecting it to be as smutty as it is, and have then been disappointed. There is a rating of 18 on the film - be aware of this.

I have a soft spot for Seth Rogen, who plays Zack. The role is quite similar to Rogen's role in Knocked Up - he's a bit of a loser, who fails at everything he does, but has a good heart underneath it all. It isn't an inspired role by any stretch of the imagination, but he does command the screen when he's in it, and I really enjoy watching him - if only for the strange thing he does with his eyebrows, which is really rather cute. Some may wonder what Seth Rogen looks like with his clothes off - well, we don't get to see more than a flash, which is probably just as well. What I like about Seth Rogen though is that, at the beginning of the film (and Knocked Up), I couldn't really see him as a romantic interest, but by the end of it, I had totally fallen in love with him myself. Anyone who has that power has got to be a good actor as far as I'm concerned.

I also liked Elizabeth Banks as Miri (short for Miriam). She is the sensible half to Zack's outrageous one; nevertheless, she is obviously a fun girl with a strong desire to better herself. As the film progresses and her feelings for Zack develop, she really grows into the role. She also has surprisingly good comic timing - initially, it seems as if that isn't very likely, but she does very well and bounces off Seth Rogen brilliantly. I'm not really that familiar with Banks as an actress (she was in 40 Year Old Virgin, but I can't really remember her), but this role made me think that it would be worth watching her in another role.

Other members of the porn film team include real-life porn stars Traci Lords and Katie Morgan as 'Bubbles' and Stacey. We don't get to see all that much of Traci Lords, but Katie Morgan is pretty much totally naked at times and looks great. Then there's Jason Mewes as Lester, who frequently appears in Kevin Smith films, Jeff Anderson as Deacon and Ricky Mabe as Barry - none of them really stand out and I'm not sure I'd even recognise them again. Craig Robinson as Delaney stands out much more, mainly because he is a friend of Zack's from the beginning and helps to bankroll the film - he doesn't take part in the porno himself, but definitely enjoys watching. Finally, I have to mention Brandon Routh and Justin Long as the gay couple that give Zack the porno idea - Justin Long in particular is very funny - I didn't even recognise him at first.

There is a real need to suspend disbelief while watching this film. To be honest, although Rogen and Banks work well together, it isn't all that easy to believe that they have known each other since first grade and yet have never contemplated getting together as a couple. And the idea of them falling in love while making a porn film does stretch the imagination more than a little. It does just about work for the purpose of the film, but only because I got carried away with the story. The whole making a porn film is quite hard to accept as well - I just can't believe it could be done all that easily! However, this is a film and it isn't all that necessary to make sense of everything that happens - I, for one, was entertained well enough without it.

The comedy element is very well done. As I have mentioned, it is incredibly smutty, silly and full of cliches, and so won't be for everyone - I certainly wouldn't recommend watching it with parents or anyone you don't feel completely comfortable with. However, if you're prepared for it, it is very funny. But the real reason that I enjoyed the film was that I found the love story very sweet and moving - perhaps because it is set against this grubby background that it appears to be all the more innocent. I really dislike slushy romances, but this is very far from being that and I enjoyed it all the more because of it. Fans of rom coms may find it a bit too close to the bone though; I suspect this film may be appreciated more by men than women.

There are a couple of special features. The ubiquitous making of...documentary, cast interviews and naughty extras. If you enjoyed the film, you'll like the extras; if you didn't, stay well clear.

I really enjoyed this film and, having seen it at the cinema, I purchased the DVD when it came out. It obviously isn't going to be for everyone and I would recommend that anyone unsure does their homework before watching. However, it isn't all about the sex - there is a real story going on underneath it all. I enjoyed it and can't wait to see what Seth Rogen and/or director Kevin Smith are going to come up with next. Four stars out of five.

NB: In case anyone was wondering about the title, Miri wears a pair of granny pants at one point...well worth a watch!

The DVD is available from play.com for £5.

Classification: 18

Running time: 101 minutes

Summary: I loved it, but it's not for everyone