Double-Feature: Nick and Norah & Zack and Miri

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Directed by Peter Sollett
Released October 3, 2008

Zack and Miri Make A Porno
Directed by Kevin Smith
Released October 31, 2008

I saw both these comedy offshoots from the Judd Apatow troupe on the same day in early November. They’re a fun pair to see together, since it’s sort of like watching the group mature from funny, safe humor to outrageous, gross-out fare. In “Nick and Norah,” the very likeable duo of Michael Cera and Kat Dennings (“Charlie Bartlett”) travel all around New York City in an effort to find a friend and mold some sort of awkward romance together. The sets and the music are fun, and Cera, Dennings, and the rest of the cast are all terrific together. It’s a fairly harmless and enjoyable. “Zack and Miri,” on the other hand, is a raucous but wholly worthwhile adult comedy. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks are a perfect match for each other as good friends who turn to directing a porn film to make money to pay their rent. The supporting cast members are all great, including Craig Robinson (Darryl on “The Office”) and a stunning cameo by Justin Long (the Mac guy in the Mac/PC commercials). It didn’t strike me as quite as lewd as I might have expected, but it’s nonetheless frequently laugh-out-loud funny with plenty of inappropriate humor. It succeeds most in the same way that “Nick and Norah” does – the stunning ability of its leads to work together to create an endearing and unlikely couple whose romance doesn’t overshadow the comedy.

Both: B+