2008. Rated R, 101 minutes.
Directed by Kevin Smith. Starring Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes, Justin Long, Brandon Routh, Traci Lords.
Plot: Zack (Rogen) and Miri (Banks) are platonic friends who share an apartment. When their financial situation becomes dire, they decide to make a porno.
The Good: It's not afraid to go over the top and it does so smartly. First, it gives us a believable dynamic between our two main characters. It follows that by surrounding them with effectively zany characters and giving them just enough to do to be funny but still stay out of the way. This allows the relationship between Zack and Miri to develop naturally and create some laughs of their own. Craig Robinson as Delaney really delivers. He's similar to Steve Buscemi in that he doesn't act so much as bring a certain persona to supporting roles. He's done in it a number of movies now and I can't say that he's done it any better than he has here.
The Bad: For a movie that takes all sorts of risks visually, it curiously takes none narratively. This creates a weird dichotomy. The fans of rom-coms who might normally eat up such a story, might also be repulsed by the manner in which the plot is advanced. Meanwhile, people who enjoy the raunchiness on display might not be engaged in the rehashed plot. Finally, our heroes seemed doomed to fail if, for no other reason, making full-blown porn movies with plots and scripts longer than this review went out long ago.
The Ugly: Bubbles' (Traci Lords, yes THAT Traci Lords) special talent. By the way, if that makes you laugh then after the movie, go to the deleted scenes and watch "Bubbles' Second Bubble." It's even better.
Recommendation: Kevin Smith fans and fans of the Apatow group should see this since it seems to be right up their alley. Prudes beware: as the title and people involved suggests, cursing, nakedness and graphically simulated sex (for an R-rated feature) are pervasive. For my money, it's the most underrated comedy of 2008. However, I can see why.
The Opposite View: Tom Huddlestone, Time Out London
What the Internet Says: 7.3/10 on imdb.com (4/27/09), 65% on rottentomatoes.com, 56/100 on metacritic.com
MY SCORE: 7/10
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