Trailer of the Week - Zack and Miri Make a Porno

I'm not a big fan of Kevin Smith, but it looks like he's finally going to pull it together with Zack and Miri. That doesn't take into account a lot of the problems I will probably have with the film, such as the unlikeliness of a person named Zack living with a person named Miri. (What kind of a name is Miri anyway? Is it short for Miriam? And when was the last time anyone named their daughter Miriam?)

It looks like Smith's usual repertory will make an appearance (Jason Mewes, Jeff Anderson), joined by some of the Apatow gang (Seth Rogen, Craig Robinson). Hopefully this means a combination of Smith filth with Apatow chemistry, resulting in a gold mine of raw sewage.

The plot concerns two desperate slacker losers (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks), behind on the rent and in debt up to their eyeballs, who decide to make a porno together even though they have maintained a platonic relationship for the last ten years. That's a great premise for comedy. I can see why Harvey Weinstein bought it on a one sentence pitch (besides the fact that he and Smith have a lasting relationship and that his company needs a really big hit).

There's not a lot the trailer can show you - it mostly just hints at what's in store for you. But what it shows me is that Smith, for once, looks as if he is attempting to grow as a director. Previously prone to dropping the camera in the middle of the room and letting his actors go to town in front of it, Smith shows some real growth just in this trailer by actually using cranes and dollies to move his camera through a scene instead. Good for him.

Click here to watch the trailer.