I'm just glad it wasn't called "Clerks 3: 7-11 Inches, and Then Some": "Zack and Miri Make a Porno"

Even with Kevin Smith tapering off in recent years -- "Jersey Girl," really? -- the title of this movie made it hard to resist. I also recalled decent reviews, and that all combined to make this a movie that My Forever Luminescence and I could watch together.

Our story: Platonic twentysomething roommates Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) live in near-squalor in suburban Pittsburgh. With bills piling up, they eventually decide to shoot an adult film featuring themselves and a few other oddballs. This of course leads to trials and tribulations before the big finish. In other words, yes, hijinks ensue.

After some early funnies, we settle into the big issue: Can two longtime friends have sex for profit and stay friends? In case you couldn't guess this theme going in, Smith makes sure to hit you over the head with it a few times. Sure, there's all sorts of raunchy comedy, but in the end Silent Bob wants you to know he's a sweetie trying to tackle real issues.

Only, unlike "Chasing Amy," this really isn't a real issue. Yes, the friends-and-lovers thing is legit. But in the course of making a porn flick? That's asking a bit much. So yeah, the heartfelt stuff didn't really fly with me, although the moment our heroes get together actually wasn't bad. I chalk that up partly to the music, though. Give Smith that ... he can lay down the right tunes for his movies.

Otherwise, "Zack and Miri" is an uneven comedy, as Smith has a habit of delivering in recent years. The high school reunion stuff early on was funny, as were some of the porn scenes, and pretty much anything with Jason Mewes in it. Yeah ... Jay of Jay and Silent Bob! He's got short hair and looks like he's come back from some serious drug abuse, which I'm pretty sure he did. But he's not bad as a different character for once, and I'm pretty sure I'll never forget what a Dutch Rudder is.

Beyond Mewes, our supporting players include Daryl from "The Office," Randall from "Clerks," and a couple of for-real porn stars, Traci Lords and Katie Morgan. We also get Justin Long -- who, dammit, I'm starting to like despite his early annoying stuff -- in a hilarious small role as a gay porn star. He's really, really good. The movie is almost worth seeing just for his part at the reunion.

What about our leads? Rogen is ... Rogen. Even with his subversive turn in "Observe and Report," he's still Johnny One-Note, and I give it five years before he's starring in a TV sitcom. Funny enough guy, but he's been in a lot of stuff lately, doing pretty much the same dopey thing in everything.

Banks, on the other hand, has bonafide charm and manages to be both endearing and goofy. Plus, I like her smile and laugh. Had my eye on her since "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" (also starring Rogen) and enjoyed just about every performance since then. Hell, even as Laura Bush. Now I just need to track down Granny Panties online ...