The Cinema of the Four

Zack And Miri Make A Porno

Old London had its East End, where the lower entertainments could be found. Those who found opium dens or trollops to their liking knew what neighborhoods to explore, and, for the most part, decent citizens knew enough to stick to their own locales. And while the works of director Kevin Smith are not exactly lower entertainments, his films have never been what the upright citizenry would call “family entertainment.” But just as his work took my great-grandfather, Sherlock Holmes, to London’s East End upon occasion, so too do I find myself seated in front of every movie Kevin Smith rolls out.

Only the most unobservant Watson could miss what the exact subject of “Zack and Miri Make A Porno” is. Two penniless ne’er-do-wells decide to make money thru starring in their own sex film. The fact that it is rated “R” should also let one deduce that it is not actually a pornographic film. As with much of Smith’s work, it’s a sweet romantic comedy at heart . . . with the exception that it has a lot more swearing and discussions of human bodily functions than most sweet romantic comedies. (Though what else would one expect from a movie about people planning to film pornography?)

The result takes a marvelous cast -- Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, both of whom are building impressive comedy resumes, lead a list that includes Mac commercial favorite Justin Long, Craig Robinson from TV’s “The Office,” porno actresses Traci Lords and Katie Morgan, the latest Superman actor Brandon Routh, and inescapable Kevin Smith accomplice Jason Mewes – and gives them a lot of good material to work with. Of course, most of said material involves discussions of human procreational activities, so your opinion may vary.

But if you think it might be time for a comic ride to the bawdier side of town, this could be just the movie you’re looking for.

What Great-grandfather Sherlock might have said:
“I think she is one of the most charming young ladies I ever met and might have been most useful in such work as we have been doing.”
(As to his exact subject, I shall leave that to you.)