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Web-Exclusive Review: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Alternative Press - Amy Toleson on 9/29/08 @ 12:45 PM - altpress.com

COMEDY
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (SONY)
STARS > Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Ari Graynor, Alexis Dziena, Aaron Yoo, Jay Baruchel
DIRECTOR > Peter Sollett
RATING> 3.5/5

In a recent interview with AP, Kat Dennings described Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist as a love letter to New York City hipsters, the places they love to haunt and the music that pulsates through the city. She couldn't be more correct, as director Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas) casts the city and all it has to offer more as an actual character, rather than the setting of the film. When Nick (Cera), a heartbroken (and straight) bassist in a queercore band sees his ex Tris (Dziena) in the audience at a show with a new guy, his spirit is crushed. Norah (Dennings), a classmate of Tris', is also in the audience, and when she's tormented for being single, she grabs Nick and asks him to be her "five minute boyfriend." What proceeds in an all-night traipse through the city and its boroughs, as Nick and Norah search for a drunk friend, an elusive band's secret show and some clarity about their futures.

The plot for the remainder of the night is a little far-fetched. Is it realistic to think that Nick's gay bandmates (Yoo and Rafi Gavron) would have a lacy, red push-up bra on hand to help Norah make a better impression on Nick, in the hopes he will get over Tris, who they dislike? Probably not. But in the end, all of the coincidences, missed connections and improbable situations add to the entertainment value of a touching and well-acted film. Cera has met his match for title of "most awkward kid ever" in Dennings as she peppers her speech with a nervous titter and more than once says something that makes even the audience wish for her sake that she had held it inside. Dziena shines as the spoiled, pretty girl who always gets her way, and Baruchel (who is emerging as a comedic keeper with his performances in Knocked Up and Tropic Thunder), is spot-on as a sleazy musician, using Norah for her connections to the music industry.

Because the characters are so easy to love (or hate), the impracticality of the night takes a backseat to hoping that maybe there is a chance for a random encounter to still turn into a great adventure. Paired with a killer soundtrack (including songs from Devendra Banhart, Vampire Weekend, Chris Bell, Band Of Horses, the Submarines and Bishop Allen), Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist renews the favorite idea that anything can happen for anyone--as long as you're in the right place at the right time and have an excellent playlist on hand. --Rachel Lux

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akissforboston Posted 04.01.09 at 01:59PM
This movie is, handsdown, in my top 10 favorites. It's really cute and funny. The music choices are pretty great, too.



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