Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) have known one another since childhood, have been living together platonically for years and are flat broke. After finding they’re unable to make the rent, they decide the best way to raise cash is to produce their own X-rated movie. The latest from writer/director Kevin Smith has comic possibilities, but this is not one of his better films.
It’s more vulgar than funny, and is further proof that Smith needs to make a real film instead of continuing to churn out studio-backed home movies that rely on juvenile humor and gross-out jokes in place of wit.
Rogen and Banks are winning in the lead roles, but their love story is a total crock, as fake as the one-dimensional supporting characters that surround them.
Neither a clever examination of the porn industry, nor a thoughtful commentary on how shameless adults sometimes turn to exhibitionism for profit, Smith’s script has some funny dialogue but his usually keen use of satire and understanding of character are absent.
Of the colorful supporting cast (everyone from Traci Lords to Superman Returns star Brandon Routh), only Justin Long (cast as a gay porn star) makes a real impression. The plot is pure formula and little elevates it beyond the level of an R-rated sitcom.
When the leads kiss, Smith cranks up a soaring ballad by LIVE on the soundtrack, but his blatant attempt at audience manipulation fails; it’s the song that gives you goose bumps, not the scene. Smith has been praised in the past for making raunchy but sweet-hearted comedies, but here the raunch rules, while the sweetness is phony.
Watching Porno, you find your mind wandering to Smith’s other works—Chasing Amy is still his best film and love story to date, while Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is his funniest. Smith is a great writer but a mediocre director who needs to branch out of his comfort zone (aka, dick and fart jokes) and stretch as a filmmaker. I’m reminded of director Bob Clark: after making Porky’s and its equally ribald sequel, he made A Christmas Story.
Smith has real talent. I’m hoping he’ll surprise us next time. MTW
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