Spring Break
REVIEW: Nick and Norah's infinitely awesome movie
5 out of 5 stars
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Focus
"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" is a cinematic delight. Despite the simple, cookie-cutter plot and predictable ending, this love story about two high school seniors on the quest to find where their favorite band's secret performance location is and the misadventures along the way is an enjoyable tale with plenty of heart.
There really is nothing bad to be said about this film - it's fun from start to finish with plenty of humor (both crude and endearing), and features smart dialogue partnered with a great soundtrack that plays co-star to Michael Cera and Kat Dennings.
The film opens with Nick (Cera) depressed and moping about being recently dumped by super-catty Tris (Alexis Dziena). As his two gay friends try to get him to come out to play their gig (the three make up the drummer-less band, The Jerkoffs), they hear on the radio that Where's Fluffy? will be playing at an undisclosed location in the city, so he joins them. After his show, he meets college-bound Norah (Dennings) and she asks him to be her boyfriend for five minutes to get back at Tris.
Let's face it - Cera has got the nervous, awkward, socially inept role down to a T. It started with "Arrested Development," then was glorified in "Superbad" and continued in "Juno." "Nick and Norah" is no different. He's awkward around Norah, around bad situations (like facing his ex as well as Norah's) and even when he's just starting his car (an awkward, yellow Yugo), but comes through in the end and proves that the nice guy doesn't always finish last. Will he ever escape this stereotypical role? Who knows, but it works.
The relationship between Cera and the strong-willed Dennings is simple at best, following a he-loves-me, he-loves-me-not pattern, but at times seems eerily real. It's never too cheesy or overly romantic, and their common ground is their love of music. Girls will certainly love it - think of it as a modern-day fairy tale for teenagers, and a much easier to accept film for guys.
From its supporting cast (Aaron Yoo, Rafi Gavron and Ari Graynor are all excellent) to lively portrayal of New York City's music scene, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" has all the right tools to please. Cera and Dennings are a match made in teen romance heaven. You don't want to miss this one.
There really is nothing bad to be said about this film - it's fun from start to finish with plenty of humor (both crude and endearing), and features smart dialogue partnered with a great soundtrack that plays co-star to Michael Cera and Kat Dennings.
The film opens with Nick (Cera) depressed and moping about being recently dumped by super-catty Tris (Alexis Dziena). As his two gay friends try to get him to come out to play their gig (the three make up the drummer-less band, The Jerkoffs), they hear on the radio that Where's Fluffy? will be playing at an undisclosed location in the city, so he joins them. After his show, he meets college-bound Norah (Dennings) and she asks him to be her boyfriend for five minutes to get back at Tris.
Let's face it - Cera has got the nervous, awkward, socially inept role down to a T. It started with "Arrested Development," then was glorified in "Superbad" and continued in "Juno." "Nick and Norah" is no different. He's awkward around Norah, around bad situations (like facing his ex as well as Norah's) and even when he's just starting his car (an awkward, yellow Yugo), but comes through in the end and proves that the nice guy doesn't always finish last. Will he ever escape this stereotypical role? Who knows, but it works.
The relationship between Cera and the strong-willed Dennings is simple at best, following a he-loves-me, he-loves-me-not pattern, but at times seems eerily real. It's never too cheesy or overly romantic, and their common ground is their love of music. Girls will certainly love it - think of it as a modern-day fairy tale for teenagers, and a much easier to accept film for guys.
From its supporting cast (Aaron Yoo, Rafi Gavron and Ari Graynor are all excellent) to lively portrayal of New York City's music scene, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" has all the right tools to please. Cera and Dennings are a match made in teen romance heaven. You don't want to miss this one.
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