MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist’

By Emily Hoover | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Without the quick-witted, snarky comments of Ellen Page in “Juno” or the knee-slapping one-liners of Jonah Hill in “Superbad,” the adorably quirky Michael Cera still shines.

Nick (Cera) is broken-hearted over his break-up with Tris (Alexis Dziena)—a shallow, vapid teenager of the “Mean Girls” tradition—but he finally dresses himself and stops moping long enough to play a show with his band, The Jerk-Offs, where he serves as the only heterosexual member. His good time ends abruptly, however, when he sees Tris cozying up to another boy, her next victim. Norah (executed beautifully by Dennings), meanwhile, has been noticing Nick all night. However, she is unaware that he is her “musical soul mate.”

To combat the teasing Tris, who attends her private school, Norah asks Nick to “be my boyfriend for five minutes” and the two end up on a wild goose chase for a secret show featuring the fictional band Where’s Fluffy? Tagging along is Norah’s pathetically drunk friend Caroline (Ari Graynor), who has her scene-stealing moment while fishing through a dirty toilet for chewing gum and her cell phone.

While this movie can be compared to countless teen movies of the past because of its themes of self-discovery and an unsure future, it creates a link between love and music, which is always endearing.

Its clever dialogue, dingy East Village clubs, zany characters and crazy situations causes it to rise above typical teen comedies.

The natural chemistry between the wide-eyed, geeky Nick and the pouty, sarcastic Norah is flawless and sweet.

Although the skyline of New York City, as well as the idea that love conquers all, is a bit sensationalized and trite for anyone over the age of 13, this movie somehow succeeds in evoking a mild sense of nostalgia in those cynical towards the world of love.

Also, it epitomizes this generation without much depth, proving that for young people, first-time love is consummated through cute conversation, awkward make-out sessions and iPod compatibility.