Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Released: 2009

Directed By: Peter Sollett

Starring: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings

Certificate: 12A

Reviewed By: Darryl Griffiths

There is no denying, that Michael Cera has been Hollywood’s go to guy for displaying teen angst and unashamed geekiness recently. We had teenage pregnancy in Juno, the typically raunchy antics of high school and the harsh reality of college in Superbad being prime examples. Here as the male love interest Nick, he’s looking for the perfect route to mend his seemingly broken heart. Word of note guys, sending mix CDS to prove your sensitivity and impress your ex is not the answer! Especially ones entitled ‘The Road to Closure’..

The ex in question, is Tris. The embodiment of superficiality and emotional manipulation. His only saving grace in his current dire state of a life is being bass supremo to a band called ‘The Jerk Offs’, dominated by larger than life camp band mates. Things are soon on the ascend for Nick however, when a classmate of Tris’ the quick witted and daughter of a highly respected music mogul Norah (Kat Dennings), finds one of these ‘popular’ mixtapes of Nick’s and is soon impressed by his quirky musical tastes.

Their paths ultimately cross on one night, with the timescale covering the entirety of the film. With all the ‘lovebirds’ all in one place, Norah randomly grabs Nick and convinces him to play ‘boyfriend’. There’s initial awkwardness as you’d expect but they soon click, as their main aim of the evening is to find the venue for a secret gig of their favourite band ‘Where’s Fluffy?’. Nick’s gay bandmates, an ex of Norah’s (Jay Baruchel) and Norah’s party hard buddy Caroline (a scene stealing Ari Graynor) may start as helps, but soon become hindrances for our loved up duo.

Set against the appealing backdrop of downtown Manhattan and a hip soundtrack including the likes of We Are Scientists and Vampire Weekend adding to the quirky feel, it’s safe to suggest that the film is lightweight and undemanding on its audience with its bordering on episodic execution of its limited premise.

But against the odds, it somehow works.. the plaudits having to be levelled at the feet of Cera and Jennings who are an appealing pair, that you can’t help but fall in love with. Their misfortunes and mishaps ultimately create some inspired comedic sequences and also make the sweeter moments more plausable without making it too sugary.

Overall, it seems to harness some of the magical qualities that the teen movies of the 80’s had and although it’s difficult to say ‘Nick and Norah’ are in the same league as say a ‘Ferris Bueller’ or a ‘Breakfast Club’, it makes a refreshing change to the gross out approach the rom-com genre in general, now takes.

Definitely worth a watch and a listen!! Terrific.