Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Review

Posted by Shawn S. Lealos on 10.06.2008

Is Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist worth adding to your mix tape?

Director: Peter Sollett
Writer: Lorene Scafaria
Cinematographer: Tom Richmond

Cast
Michael Cera ... Nick
Kat Dennings ... Norah
Aaron Yoo ... Thorn
Rafi Gavron ... Dev
Ari Graynor ... Caroline
Alexis Dziena ... Tris
Johathan Bradford Wright ... Lethario
Zachary Booth ... Gary




Based solely on the trailers and previews for Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, I assumed it was going to be another self indulgent hipster movie with lots of cool dialogue no kid would ever say. I figured it would be another in a long line of clone movies where only few actually were worth their weight. Juno was a movie that surprised me by rising above its perceived status.

Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist is another.

Michael Cera is Nick, a rock star in a small indie band. He doesn’t have the high expectations of others around him. Unlike the lead singer of a Jewish metal band with his eyes set on getting signed to a big record deal, Nick only cares about making his music and remaining true to his roots. The only aspiration his band has is to come up with a name that fits.

The Jerk Offs? Ball’s Deep? Fist Full of Assholes?

If you haven’t already guessed, Nick is the only member of the band not gay. He is also the person enduring difficult romantic problems. His girlfriend of six whole months, Tris, dumped him and he spends much of the movie pining for his lost love. After numerous mix CDs, he finally gives in to the fact they may be finished.

Kat Dennings is Norah. She is an acquaintance of Tris, but is usually treated with disdain by her. She is also good friends with Caroline, a drunk who prefers to puke in the same place every time. While at a Jerk Off’s concert, Tris shows up with her new man and makes fun of Norah for not having a date. Norah asks Nick to pretend she is his girlfriend, not realizing he is Tris’ Nick.

This leads to a night out as Nick and Norah tries to find their favorite band, Where’s Fluffy, who is playing a special surprise concert somewhere in town.

I was surprised at the level of heart this movie carries, all due to the charisma of its leads. Michael Cera continues to impress me following his turns in Juno and Superbad. I knew nothing about Kat Dennings before seeing this movie but the two actors make you really feel for them and want them to succeed.

The supporting cast also carries their weight and brings humor to the film. Ari Graynor was excellent as the continuously drunk Caroline. She gets lost halfway through the movie and the large subplot includes Nick and Norah searching for her. The fellow band members are also pretty funny in their small roles.

There are a number of humorous moments including a running gag with a piece of gum and a series of problems with Nick’s car, an old Yugo. Comparisons have been made with last year’s Juno but those comparisons are unfair. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist never stoops to being just a hip movie with cool dialogue. At its heart it is a sweet, romantic little film and succeeds thanks to its charismatic leads.

The 411: I complained about the lack of heart in How to Lose Friends and Alienate People. This movie does not suffer the same problem. While it may be an update of the Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise, it is geared towards a younger audience but never fails to be a charming piece of cinema. It won’t set the world on fire but it is a great little movie that delivers what it promises.

Final Score:  7.5   [ Good ]