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Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Full of raunch and snappy dialogue

By BRETT MICHEL | October 28, 2008

3.0 Stars

Their utilities cut on Thanksgiving eve, wage slaves Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are huddling around the sole source of heat in their apartment — a barrel burning unpaid bills — when the lovable schlub goes down on one knee, takes the hand of his gorgeous roommate and BFF, and makes the proposal you expect from any man in an implausibly plotted film from the director of Clerks: “Will you have sex with me on camera for money?” Whether such a scheme makes sense in the age of free Internet porn is largely irrelevant when a comedy is this enjoyable. Kevin Smith’s ear for raunch is as piquant as ever, but he’s moved beyond his usual unconvincing leads to Judd Apatow regulars Rogen and Craig Robinson (hilarious as a race-baiting, titty-and-ass-loving producer), and his dialogue snaps more than it ever did coming out of the mouth of Ben Affleck. Sorry, Gigli. 101 minutes | Kendall Square + Embassy

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