Zack and Miri Make a Porno

There's an argument among film fans that basically says Kevin Smith started to go downhill following Dogma. These are the people that write off how smarmily meta Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was; or don't appreciate the turn Smith tried to take with Jersey Girl. Clerks 2, for the most part, was a bit of a filmic jerk off, but it was fun.

So depending on what camp you're in, Zack and Miri could have either been much anticipated or much dreaded.

It is, undoubtedly, a Kevin Smith film. It is perverse, crass, clever and funny as hell. It's smart, but smart enough not to rub it in your face, and more than anything, it accomplishes what he tried to do in Jersey Girl. It tells a sweet and genuine story, in the guise of tit and shit jokes (and oh, mercy, does Smith deliver the mother of all shit jokes in this movie).

Aside from being just a Smith movie, it is also a very Apatowian (though without any actual Apatow involvement). The film features Seth Rogen, playing Seth Rogen, and Elizabeth Banks who I now have a massive girl-crush on. If you ever wanted to see what happened in the 40 Year Old Virgin after Rogen joined Banks in the bathtub? This is not that movie.

What it is, however, it a laugh out loud comedy, with utterly perfect portrayals by Rogen and Banks, not to mention an incredible cameo by Justin Long, and great supporting roles played by The Office's Craig Robinson, and Smith alum Jason Mewes (with short hair, and some off-putting full frontal nudity) and Jeff Anderson. Even real-life porn stars Traci Lords and Katie Morgan turn in decent and believable performances.

Having now seen the film twice, I feel secure in announcing it as a return to solid form for Smith. All the director standards are there: hockey, Star Wars, but somehow it all feels fresh, and when you take the shock value of the title away, what remains is a clever and sweet romantic comedy. . . with a lot of fake boobs and didlos.

****.5 out of *****
4.5 out of 5

Steve McQueen Week: Love with the Proper Stranger

I don't know what it is. First time in my life I come to see a girl, I feel like I'm 14 years old. Even when I was 14, I didn't feel like that.
- Rocky

There is a very definite difference between romantic comedies today, and those of the 60s and earlier. There was a sense of immediacy to the early rom-coms that is missing now. In modern romantic comedy, it is acceptable to allow the passing of weeks, months, even years, before there is any real finale or resolution. Whereas their early counterparts tended to show the classic whirlwind romances, that spanned mere days. I think, ultimately, the difference was that in the 60s, the belief in the real possibility of love was very genuine. It did not seem like a stretch for people to meet cute, and then fall in love through a series of ridiculous circumstances (see: Bringing Up Baby for the perfect definition of this). In a way I vastly prefer this form of romance because it is more whimsical, and more. . . romantic.

I was watching my new favorite channel (Turner Classic Movies) this weekend, while suffering through a bout of pink eye, and the announcer informed me they would be airing Love with the Proper Stranger, a movie I had never in my life heard of. And honestly, what made me want to watch it was the alusions made to Knocked Up one of my favorite films of 2007.

The plot is pretty basic. A scoundral jazz musician, Rocky, played by Steve McQueen (the role I will always now attribute to teaching me that I loved McQueen), had a one night stand with the lovely Angie, played by Natalie Wood, which resulted in her becoming pregnant. Rocky has no immediate recollection of their time together, when Angie comes to inform him of the outcome. All she asks him for is a doctor. (Bear in mind that in 1963, abortion was still a big scandal, and didn't happen out in the open). Angie's family is strict Italian-Catholic, so the entire event is clouded in shame for her (pre-marital sex, pregnancy, abortion). Rocky, for his part, is equally conflicted by the situation. He foolishly asks his live in girlfriend Barbie if she theoretically knows of any doctors, but she of course sees through it and kicks him to the curb.

Thus begins the series of events that bring the two together romantically rather than physically. Angie and Rocky get together the money for the abortionist, and while waiting to meet the doctor, are spotted by her protective brothers, and led on a chase through Manhatten by foot. They end up in an old factory, and spend time actually learning about each other as people, and find that the connection between them remains, in spite of their sordid past, and Rocky's questionable present. When they eventually reach the abortionist, the situation becomes quite frightening, as Rocky realizes the dangers that face Angie in the unsterile and unprofessional environment.

Rocky decides to make an honest woman of Angie, after the situation becomes apparent to her brothers. But Angie, to her credit, wants nothing to do with it. She refuses to marry Rocky simply out of a sense of duty. It is touching to watch McQueen especially in these scenes, where he is exposed as a genuinely emotional man. Of course, it's a romance, and you know they are meant to be together, but the bulk of the movie is their attempt to push each other away.

Wood is luminous. She is understated when necessary, and melodramatic when it is called for. She is beautiful beyond words in a refined Hepburn-esque manner, but it is her strength that is so refreshing. She faces everything alone, but with her head held high, and I believe Angie's character represents a truly engaging independent woman for her era, in spite of the connections she insists upon keeping.

McQueen, in my biased opinion, is perfect. He embraces the cheese necessary to make the film and character function. Every second he is on screen makes you aware of why they called him the King of Cool. He is. Self-aware and certain, even when he plays it unsure. He pulls off the roll of romantic lead just as easily as he plays a big action hero. He and Wood are both a joy to behold on screen.

The film isn't terribly unique by today's standards, but was likely well ahead of it's time in 1963. It is a genuine and warming love story, that happens in a hurry, but makes you believe that perhaps love is not so impossible after all.

(as a fair warning, Love with the Proper Stranger is NOT currently available on DVD, but if you have one of those old fashioned VCR-things, you can still get it on VHS)

***.5 of *****
3.5 out of 5

Starter for 10

"Just promise me you won't become a wanker." - Spencer

Starter for 10 is an adorable British rom-com that really takes the 80s influence very seriously. Set in 1985, it tells the story of Brian, a young man who has resolved all of his life to be as clever as possible. This mission has resulted in him knowing a slew of useless knowledge, lacking some equally important knowledge about life, and a general direction towards Bristol university and a turn on "University Challenge" a televised trivia show.

Along the way, things get thrown for a bit of a loop, as is prone to happen, when Brian meets Rebecca. Rebecca is beautiful, but not in a way that draws attention. She is smart, and funny, and motivated. Brian is drawn to her and everything seems like it should work out beautifully, only then the movie would last about 24 minutes. Instead, while trying out for University Challege, Brian gets his first glimpse of Alice. Alice is a drama major. She is stunning, and blonde, wearing miniskirts everywhere, and using her sexuality to get whatever she wants. Of course, Brian decides he loves Alice. What follows is a comedy of errors, where Brian learns that knowing a lot of facts is not the same thing as knowing a lot. From a disastrous trip to Alice's cottage for the New Year, to the dramatic show down on live television, it is incredibly engaging to watch Brian discover what he really has to offer, and how that new knowledge ultimately changes what he wants, as he learns that it's ok to be who you are, rather than who you dreamed of being.

Brian is played by my current "It" boy James McAvoy (I'm not even going to be subtle about how much I simply ADORE James McAvoy, it can't be helped). Is a sweet, well-meaning kid. McAvoy plays him perfectly. Brian begins the movie awkward, difficult to watch. He is much like a more educated Anthony Michael Hall from Sixteen Candles only less self assured. As the movie progresses, however, you are drawn in to how nuanced McAvoy's performance really is. Brian's earnest looks, his deep sadness, his moments of confusion and joy, they are all true to form. Watching the movie both confirms exactly why I love McAvoy, but at the same time makes me wonder. He's such an awkward looking man, not typical of the Hollywood mold, and yet he is alluring. He is genuine and he is really a person you can relate to. A guy you'd want to date, if only you weren't too busy paying attention to the good looking jerk next to him.

The supporting cast is equally excellent. Rebecca Hall, who plays Rebecca Epstein, is positively the coolest chick I've seen in a movie recently. She bears a faint resemblance to Molly Ringwald, which makes her perfect for the idea of an 80s romantic comedy, but more than that, she just comes across as so relaxed in herself and in her character, that you shake your head at how foolish Brian could be to overlook her. She's a scarf and sweater, Converse wearing post-punk-beat-poet kinda girl, and there's something intensely likable to her aloofness. When she tells Brian sarcastically "I will learn to love again." with an eye roll for emphasis, you know she wants to believe it herself, more than she needs him to think she doesn't care. Alice Eve, who plays (shockingly) Alice, makes it difficult to hate her character. You realize, after awhile, that Alice doesn't mean for Brian to fall in love with her, she is just simply unable to behave any differently towards a boy like him than she always has. And Dominic Cooper, who plays Brian's rough-around-the-edges mate Spencer, spends much of the film looking like a greaser, or a Shark/Jet, but provides a certain sensitivity to his underprivileged character. Spencer is afraid of losing Brian as a friend now that he's swimming in the big pool, but finds it difficult to explain this and maintain his tough guy image. So he struggles throughout the film to maintain his friendship with Brian, without being fully able to express to Brian why it is so important.

Starter for 10 (a phrase which refers to the scoring system on "University Challenge" - starting question worth 10 points), should not be overlooked as merely another romantic comedy. It is smart, big hearted, and sometimes very sad. It is very much a movie about life, that is made more comfortable by pushing the setting back 20 years and creating some romantic turmoil. Brian is what many of us are, someone who is trying to claim a place for themselves, trying to be extraordinary, when satisfactory was meant to be their place in life. And more than just giving hope for romance, like most romantic comedies falsely do, Starter for 10 gives the hope that by embracing who we are is how we may truly become spectacular.

**** of *****
4 out of 5