Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
(B- or 3/4 stars)
Nick (Michael Cera, Juno, Superbad) is a member of high school band named The Jerk Offs in 'Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist', a romantic teen comedy directed by Peter Sollett. It's been a while since Tris (Alexis Dziena Fool's Gold) has broken up with lovelorn Nick, but he just can't seem to shake her. Playing at a gig one Friday night, Nick is bereft to see that Tris has shown up with another guy. By pure chance, Nick lip locks with a college-bound Norah (Kat Dennings), & she subsequently asks him to be her boyfriend for a few minutes. Most of this film had me laughing; recalling my own high school scenarios from 10 yrs. past. And I loved spending 90 min. with the charming Nick & the loveable Norah as they bravely tread the magical streets of Manhattan ... til dawn.
Nick, his gay band mates, Tris, and her friends Norah & Caroline are huge fans of the musical group Where's Fluffy. And after performing at their own gig, Nick & his band hope to scour the streets of NYC for them. Tris & Norah wind up at the same club that Nick is performing at, and the cat claws come out. Tris berates Norah for not having a boyfriend; and so, the normally shy Norah brazenly approaches Nick (whom she doesn't know at all, mind you) and plants one on him. Tris is stunned ... even a bit jealous. From here on in, Nick, Norah & his band mates go on a wild goose chase; not only to seek out Where's Fluffy, but to find Norah's grotesquely drunk and recently missing gal pal, Caroline (Ari Graynor). Tris is on her own goose chase ... to win back the now unavailable Nick.
All throughout the course of the film, Nick & Norah tip-toe around each other's emotions. They appear to like one another. But she's a rich, apprehensive girl whose ex-boyfriend is haunting her present. He still can't completely erase his past as Tris keeps popping up everywhere (he knows she's no-good trash. But it never matters when you're 18). Can Nick & Norah make it? What will come of them once the sun rises? With plot devices such as a broken-down Yugo, stripping nuns, gay fans, Jewish food, controlling ex-boyfriends, and chewing gum ... yes, chewing gum, you'll be in for a movie you won't soon forget.
We like Nick & Norah individually, & we like them even more when together. They just seem like the kind of people we want to know in real life. And their on-again-off-again passive-aggressive flirtation is adorable to watch throughout the course of the evening. The best segment of the film is the last 20 min. (as it always should be) when they are alone, at last ... to see if their wild night together is just a fluke. Michael Cera is so mellow (like the film), so at ease on camera, that all you can do is sit back & relax while watching him. Kat Dennings is not only cute, but funny, and incredibly realistic in the role she's portraying.
Most of the supporting roles & subplots are handled well; though some I could have done without (marring what could have been a potentially great movie). The best supporting turn comes from Ari Graynor as Caroline. My God, this girl PERSONIFIES that drunk trainwreck-of-a-friend that everybody has/had in their life. She's fantastic. There's also something to be said of the homosexual undertone held throughout the film. There are 3 gay males in the thick of the plot, and never once are they exploited, treated like freaks, or caricatured. They're simply a part of the story. And that is so refreshing.
Negatives of the film? There's some gross comedy thrown into the mix (something you'd find in a lesser film). And one particular scene felt false (where I don't think a character would have done what they did). While I would recommend this movie to teens, and people my age, I don't think too many average baby boomers would jive with it. Though, I personally LOVED the sweet, awkward reality of the dialogue (the faux-confident way teens talk to each other nowadays). 'NaNIP' captures the genuine excitement, humor, & emotion(s) of exploring NYC with someone you barely know ... but think you may like, a lot. It's a sweet, intimate film that washed over me; putting me in an indescribable mood for 2 days going, now. In a world of iPod playlists, blackberries, lenient parents, & kids growing up too quickly, 'NaNIP' strives to capture what it's like to be young right now; and it just nails that essence.
Nick, his gay band mates, Tris, and her friends Norah & Caroline are huge fans of the musical group Where's Fluffy. And after performing at their own gig, Nick & his band hope to scour the streets of NYC for them. Tris & Norah wind up at the same club that Nick is performing at, and the cat claws come out. Tris berates Norah for not having a boyfriend; and so, the normally shy Norah brazenly approaches Nick (whom she doesn't know at all, mind you) and plants one on him. Tris is stunned ... even a bit jealous. From here on in, Nick, Norah & his band mates go on a wild goose chase; not only to seek out Where's Fluffy, but to find Norah's grotesquely drunk and recently missing gal pal, Caroline (Ari Graynor). Tris is on her own goose chase ... to win back the now unavailable Nick.
All throughout the course of the film, Nick & Norah tip-toe around each other's emotions. They appear to like one another. But she's a rich, apprehensive girl whose ex-boyfriend is haunting her present. He still can't completely erase his past as Tris keeps popping up everywhere (he knows she's no-good trash. But it never matters when you're 18). Can Nick & Norah make it? What will come of them once the sun rises? With plot devices such as a broken-down Yugo, stripping nuns, gay fans, Jewish food, controlling ex-boyfriends, and chewing gum ... yes, chewing gum, you'll be in for a movie you won't soon forget.
We like Nick & Norah individually, & we like them even more when together. They just seem like the kind of people we want to know in real life. And their on-again-off-again passive-aggressive flirtation is adorable to watch throughout the course of the evening. The best segment of the film is the last 20 min. (as it always should be) when they are alone, at last ... to see if their wild night together is just a fluke. Michael Cera is so mellow (like the film), so at ease on camera, that all you can do is sit back & relax while watching him. Kat Dennings is not only cute, but funny, and incredibly realistic in the role she's portraying.
Most of the supporting roles & subplots are handled well; though some I could have done without (marring what could have been a potentially great movie). The best supporting turn comes from Ari Graynor as Caroline. My God, this girl PERSONIFIES that drunk trainwreck-of-a-friend that everybody has/had in their life. She's fantastic. There's also something to be said of the homosexual undertone held throughout the film. There are 3 gay males in the thick of the plot, and never once are they exploited, treated like freaks, or caricatured. They're simply a part of the story. And that is so refreshing.
Negatives of the film? There's some gross comedy thrown into the mix (something you'd find in a lesser film). And one particular scene felt false (where I don't think a character would have done what they did). While I would recommend this movie to teens, and people my age, I don't think too many average baby boomers would jive with it. Though, I personally LOVED the sweet, awkward reality of the dialogue (the faux-confident way teens talk to each other nowadays). 'NaNIP' captures the genuine excitement, humor, & emotion(s) of exploring NYC with someone you barely know ... but think you may like, a lot. It's a sweet, intimate film that washed over me; putting me in an indescribable mood for 2 days going, now. In a world of iPod playlists, blackberries, lenient parents, & kids growing up too quickly, 'NaNIP' strives to capture what it's like to be young right now; and it just nails that essence.