Review of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) by Aaron B — 19 Jun 2014

I like a good romantic comedy. It's nice to see a new relationship slowly blossom over the length of a film. Even teen romances like this one can be engaging when they are done right. However, I think one of the flaws of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is that they try to jam-pack all that early relationship romance into one night. The movie literally has the main characters drifting from never met to sleeping together in less than 5 hours, which doesn't seem nearly as romantic as a relationship built over a longer time period. That being said they load this film with a lot of likable characters. Nick and Norah are sweet people and you do root for them to get together. Plus they have fun, supportive friends who also work to make the love blossom.

Michael Cera is that boy next door, who looks like he's about 10. You can see why he is loved by the women in the film, because he exudes this sweet innocence that is so engaging. Kat Dennings is a bit of a miscast in the lead female role. She seems to be playing the kind of girl who is a bit awkward, perhaps even nerdy so she is jealous of the pretty girls who get all the guys. Yet Dennings is clearly very comfortable with her body and does not appear to have a single shy bone in her body. Aaron Yoo and Rafi Gavron play the gay friends of Michael Cera. They are best when portrayed as the loving matchmakers for their friend, I'm less interested in them when they become the bickering bandmates who are easily distracted. I think it hurt the story having them appear so competent initially, and then they completely mess up and threaten to ruin the entire night for Nick and Norah. Ari Graynor is simply disgusting as the drunk, slutty friend of Kat Dennings. In other words I think she executed her role well. She probably takes it a notch too far, but it works to add comedy to the story. Finally we have Alexis Dziena and Jay Baruchel as the exes for the leads. They both play slimy characters that make for good antagonists in the story, I just loved rooting against them.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is not the most imaginative film. It is about 2 kids, one who's dealing with a breakup and another who is embarrassed by her single life, and they find one another. Through a series of encounters they find they have some similarities, they argue over their differences, and eventually they learn that perhaps they were meant to be together. You could find a similar plot synopsis in a hundred other films, and there is very little that sets this one apart. I think they were trying to make the movie special by adding this whole idea that their mutual love of music is what brings them together, but I didn't feel that it was a well-executed plot thread. That being said, it's not a particularly bad representation of the genre. They are a sweet couple, and the movie will warm your heart. I am willing to admit I was smiling when the movie ended because it is a feel-good story. It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but it has a few moments that will at least make you chuckle. If you like teen romance films, and don't mind a movie that is by-the-numbers instead of unique, then you could get some enjoyment out of this movie. It's not one I feel the need to own, but it is one that I would watch if it came on TV.