Review of Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) by Ken S — 21 Jan 2015

After "Jersey Girl" and "Clerks II", Smith finally found a way to move on from the Askewniverse and still have a successful film: "Zach and Miri Make a Porno" is pretty entertaining.

I think "Clerks II" worked as a revelation for Smith. "Jersey Girl" was his first time outside his comfort zone, and it fell apart on him. He worked with a DP he didn't get along with, another film starring his leads hurt his own film both in editing and at the box office, and his script wasn't nearly as sharp as he always tended to be.

On "Clerks II" he not only did things his way (even to the point of getting his original DP from his first three films back), but the critical and financial success of that film gave him his confidence back.

This film is raunchy, it is funny, it has Smith's sharp dialogue and wit, as well as having the much better visual look that he and Dave Klein had created for "Clerks II"...and the film has heart underneath it's porno gag surface.

It isn't Smith's best film, but it was nice to see him settle into a style that really works for him, even if it didn't last long.