"Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" Review

 

"Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist"

Directed by Peter Sollett

Starring Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Aaron Yoo, Ari Graynor, Jay Baruchel

 

RATING

8/10

I can't really tell you that the days of my adolescent youth were filled with many great and wonderous adventures. I didn't go out on a night into the city and chase an elusive rock band, neither did I fall in love with a beautiful girl and kiss her. These were the days of other, more outgoing civilians whose minds weren't tempted by the home vibe. Me? Oh, I was a bit of a recluse. I didn't do anything unexpected or big. I stayed in-doors for the most part, watched a lot of movies and hoped that one day my life would be just as exciting. And then this film came along to remind me why driving into the night in the big city or falling in love wasn't such a bad thing.

 

"Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" tells the story of Nick, a heartbroken teenager who just got out of a shaky relationship with a bitch of a girlfriend. His friends, also fellow band members, invite him out one night to play a gig and chase an enigmatic band named "Where's Fluffy?" around New York City. At this tiny gig, Nick meets Norah, a (unimaginably attractive) girl with issues of her own concerning Nick's dreaded ex. They hit it off, and take a journey through the night as a series of events unfold that bring them closer and closer together.

 

I've been waiting for a film like this. Yeah, I know newer films have come out and have probably done it better, but this was a much needed breath of fresh air. The sweet serenity of this film is what sucked me in. It's style is pretty much indie, and it's atmosphere very vibrant and alive. It's a film you can fall in love with over and over again and still feel as involved as you were the first time you saw it. Michael Cera's performance as the awkward music lover is very relatable. He's been through a tough relationship, likes indie-rock and strange break-up songs, plays an instrument... yeah, you could say I related. His chemistry with the ever-so stunning Kat Dennings is great and ultimately becomes the strongest point of the film. After all, this is a romantic comedy. Side characters, such as Ari Graynor and Aaron Yoo, add much needed sweetness to the romantic and eccentric vibe. Their characters, though only sub-sided, are extremely easy to like and that's thanks to the strong charisma practically leaking off of these guys. However, apart from the array of likable characters, there are other factors that contribute to this films magic.

 

The cinematography captures the nightlife of New York with such a distinct aura, that it becomes an entire character within itself. It's a living, breathing city that takes you through a labyrinth of wonder and colourful people, including gay musicals, recording studios and sexually aroused hobo's (played hilariously in a memorable cameo by Andy Samberg). I loved how rich the tone of the film is, and the fact that it takes place all in one night adds to a surprisingly durable and insanely fun pace. That's a big reason why so many will instantly fall in love with it: there is never a dull or lagging moment. Everything feels kinetic and busy, so you're enticed by the surroundings and situations. At heart, yes, it's a pretty romantic film that best captures the adolescent romance of teenagers who become close through a series of mishaps and mayhem. The primary lovers, Nick and Norah, are given enough backstory to work with in order for their chemistry to flourish and it's very well written in those cases.

 

"Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" is one of those films that you can't really point out any bad things about it... well, the puking and the bubble gum scenes are a bit tough to stomach, but otherwise it's a sweet, very entertaining and humble look at one night out into the bright lights. It's a journey that's best seen to be loved, and best loved to be appreciated to its fullest. Proud to call it a personal favorite of mine.