Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (Movie Review)

Movie Review
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Dir. Peter Sollett
Starring: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings
Runtime: 1:29

If growing old means I can’t enjoy movies like Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, I fear for the future. I highly doubt middle-aged people will enjoy this film. It’s not that the film is confined to the limits of a teen comedy but considering that the movie offers no relevance to someone with real responsibilities in life could limit the reach of this film. Peter Sollett does a great job at showing off a bunch of teens on the loose in New York City but does a poor job at endearing them to the parents of a teen.

Nick (Michael Cera) is a emotionally distraught teenager who is moping over the break-up of his relationship with his girlfriend. His friends and bandmates convince him to play a gig a long car ride away in New York City. At the club, he’s still has his head in the clouds when he sees his ex and begins to look like a lost puppy on stage. The awkwardness is broken up by Norah (Kat Dennings), who looking for a temporary boyfriend to get her out of her own awkward situation, she kisses Nick. Immediately after this event, two things happen that shape the movie. Norah’s friend becomes so drunk that she needs to be taken home and everyone’s favourite (fictional) indie band, Where’s Fluffy? is appearing someone where after-hours at a club somewhere in the city. Nick’s friends convince Norah to let them take her friend home as they try to cook up a love story between Nick and Norah to get Nick’s mind of his ex.

This film handles the basics of filmmaking well but doesn’t offer that much extra. The story is enjoyable and believable but not something mindblowing like perhaps Juno (Cera’s previous project). The laughs the film offer feel almost as afterthoughts; as if they were included because the writers suddenly remembered to include them. The good thing though is the jokes work and there are some very memorable ones. The story does tug a bit at the emotional heartstrings by offering a story about confused teenagers that aren’t quite sure if they are meant to be with one another but seems forgettable they day after. It’s good as a conversation piece after seeing it with someone but it doesn’t have a long expiration date. This film feels like a jack of all trades but a master of none.

The movie at times handles like a dialogue film. Think Kevin Smith but with far less profanity and sexual innuendo. Although, unlike Kevin Smith films, the script is less sharp. Some of the speeches feel like uninspired run-on sentences that should have ended before they started. I don’t anyone over the age of 16 will experience an epiphany from anything said during the film. The love story is cute and make be sentimental to some but it is definitely not the next When Harry Met Sally.

The movie is fun while it lasts but at under 90 minutes, it doesn’t last long. It’s not for everyone but those who are young enough to remember having fun in a large city after-hours (doing stuff that isn’t illegal), it’s really good. I don’t think my parents would care for the flick but I would watch it again if I found in on cable.

☆☆☆