Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) have been best friends since first grade. As adults they are roommates and unfortunately for them dead broke. After attending their high school reunion Zack and Miri return home to an apartment with no heat, no water, and no electricity. Realizing that they have not accomplished anything since high school and that they are living like a homeless person would, Zack decides that it would be advantageous to follow cues from a former classmate and enter the adult movie industry.
After some much needed convincing, Miri reluctantly agrees to join Zack and problems and pitfalls become prevalent. Zack gets hard at work interviewing strippers, raising capital, and finding a makeshift studio; while Miri attempts to convince herself that making such a film with a life long friend means nothing more than a way to make a quick buck. Over the course of the film it becomes very apparent that the two have romantic feelings towards each other and that going through with this film could complicate an already difficult situation.
It is easy to compare the trials and tribulations that Zack and Miri have with their feelings for each other to those that they go through while attempting to make the film. However in this case it is wishful thinking to assume such a deep, well thought out metaphor was implemented. The movie appears to have been written like a porno, rather than being something of great philosophical worth. The acting is sub-par, the jokes are raunchy and only funny because they are so bad, and the plot line moves ahead without the slightest bit of believability.
Rogen (Knocked-Up) proves yet again that he makes a goofy best friend at best. His performance allows a couple of smirks, but will mostly leave you wondering where you have seen him play that character before: The answer, his entire body of work. Banks (Invincible) is passable but the role is written as if she is a schizophrenic and leaves little room for which she could excel. Her character goes from a giddy airhead who hopes to reconnect with an old crush, to a supportive friend willing to do anything to save her friendship and apartment, to jealous, nasty and cold hearted, to a full blown romantic, to an adult film star. The concoction her disjointed character and his less than stellar acting, does not really allow you to believe in either of them or make any significant connection to their character.
What disappoints most is the work of director Kevin Smith (Clerks). The thought of Seth Rogen playing in Smith’s world was both tempting and appealing. In the end however we get Smith playing in Rogen’s world, reminiscent of the Judd Apatow productions that made Rogen a household name. If you are a fan of The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, and the like you probably won’t be disappointed. Die hard Kevin Smith fans will enjoy picking up little nuances prevalent in all of Smith’s works, but for everyone else you are more likely to leave bored and or disturbed than pleased. Overall I give it a 2 and ½ “R’s” out of 5.
