After a long discussion with my co-workers today about the movie Ted and my review I did, I couldn’t help but choose another raunchy comedy sans the foul mouthed inclusion of a teddy bear. I guess you could say that Seth Rogen looks like a teddy bear, but I won’t do that. I am an unabashed Kevin Smith fan through and through. His work might seem juvenile and he isn’t the most visually pleasing director, but the strengths come from his comedic writing and vulgarity that seems sweet at times while offending most of the time. Zack and Miri was a very under seen movie when it came out, but for me, it’s one of the funniest films of his career.
Their debts mounting as their bank accounts dry up, longtime friends Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) plot to solve all their financial problems by making an adult film with movie geek appeal. Zack is a barista who doesn’t make big tips, and Miri isn’t exactly making top dollar either. Friends since grade school, they share a cramped apartment together, but the bills are piling up faster than their paychecks. Then, at their class reunion, the two friends meet up with a former classmate who’s shot to success in the adult film industry. Inspired after a YouTube video of Miri in her granny panties goes viral, Zack and his roommate round up a crew and begin production on their masterpiece. When the time comes for Zack and Miri to shoot their first scene together, however, unexpected emotions start to bubble to the surface, prompting them both to wonder if they’ve somehow mistaken true love for mere friendship all these years. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
I love the fact that Kevin Smith takes the simple concept of romance films and puts his filthy little twists on the genre. Chasing Amy was a more honest love film, but unconventional and progressive in the Gen X representation of two people finding love. The unconventional way he wrote about the two leads in that film felt honest and organic in their interactions, helped out by some smart writing and dialog heavy scenes. Taking that mentality to Zack and Miri, Smith managed to not lose sight of his romantic heart amidst the setting of two best friends testing the limits of their friendship while they make a porno. It is this raunchy setting that acts as a catalyst for Smith’s heavy, lewd writing to utilize all the fucks and shits he wants, especially in the context of a porno setting. The comedy and sex make for a wonderful combination of raunchy humor and quick wit response from a cast that looks like they are truly having fun.
Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks are wonderful together on screen. The two actors play best friends who have to cope with their hidden feelings for one another in the sexually charged setting for the sake of making money. You get a natural vibe from them, both sexual and friendly as the two exchange platitudes and ribbing remarks with one another. It adds to the overall humor and acting on the screen when two leads feel comfortable with one another. But their comedic talents are enhanced with the usual Kevin Smith crew and some hilarious cameos from Justin Long as a gay pornstar and Brand Routh. Craig Robinson also lends his comedic abilities, playing the utility, go to funny sidekick and he does it well.
Zack and Miri is really that diamond in the slutty rough of raunchy comedy movies. Pushing a very hard R rating, Smith skirts between the decency line wonderfully with scenes of nudity, padded down with his patent humorous touches. His writing is as sharp as ever and shows a bit of maturity in both subject matter and overall development over the course of the film. It is a laugh a minute movie, but it doesn’t lose sight of what it wants to tell. Some scenes might seem a bit out of place with out of context comedy bits, more so for Smith’s pleasure in writing than the need to serve the plot development. But those scenes are few and far between as the laughs are wonderfully paced and it manages to balance crude and endearing well enough. It’s one of the funniest of Smith’s films, as he managed to get away from his usual day players and bring in some strong comedic talent in Banks and Rogen. If you are want the lewdest comedy possible with a little bit dick and heart thrown in, Zack and Miri is a must for Smith fans and comedy fans.
*images via RottenTomatoes
