Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Movie Review

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is a film by director Peter Sollett and based on the novel by Rachel Cohn. As the title of the film suggests, the main leads are Nick, a heartbroken band member who is looking to reconcile with his old flame, and Norah, whom has never met Nick but shares his eclectic love of music.

That is about where the interesting aspects of the movie end. While developing an intimate relationship with someone based upon music preference is something most all of us can relate to, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist insults its audience by spoon feeding clichés and tired emotional tactics. The plot of the movie centers on the saddened Nick, played by Michael Cera, taking off for the night in New Jersey in search of their favorite band 'Where's Fluffy.' Across town, Norah, played by the lone bright spot in this picture Kat Dennings, is seeking the same music group with her one dimensional and often annoying partner in crime Caroline. Contrary to what the title and plot framework would have you believe, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist seemingly has very little to do with music, and more so to do with selfish unrealistic character motivations. Though you might find a Beatles and The Cure reference here and there, the actions taken by those in the movie are so pre disposed the audience is left feeling like they've seen it play out a hundred times before.

So what works? The aforementioned Kat Dennings is most believable, however her inexplicable lust for Nick never even having met him will leave most scratching their heads. While understandable that music tastes can bring immense feelings, Norah's emotions seem to be under a magnifying glass and blown far beyond possibility. A scene in which a kiss is shared on an elevator is what is most inspired, but by that time it is too little too late. One would think the soundtrack would be its own character in the film, however often times it is uneven, and even when not, is usually cut short for intended comedic effect.

What doesn't work? Well, pretty much everything. The idea starts out promising enough, as several teen comedies do: a young man is heart stricken and is foolishly chasing the dream of what they once had. After this is established in the opening scene it is a free fall downhill starting with his old flame. She is rude, selfish, and has no qualms about having her new boyfriend all over her in front of Nick so soon after their breakup. Of course this situation has occurred in real life, however Nick's old girlfriend is so ridiculously one sided it is hard to fathom how a kind person like Nick would have enjoyed her company to begin with. Similarly bad is Norah's current boyfriend, whom is using her connections in the music industry to try and make his band popular. If there was ever a character more paper thin, you would be hard pressed to find one. The film even has your standard showdown between the two males, Nick and Norah's current boyfriend, and it plays out like a street brawl from West Side Story instead of a tussle you would witness outside the movies.

The humor was particularly predictable, and an ongoing joke with Norah's friend Caroline and her chewing gum wears out its welcome before it even begins. A humorous scene involves numerous people thinking Nick's car is a taxi, and thus trying to bum a ride, but otherwise one is left with a taste of wanting humor more in line with intelligent people.

The conclusion of the movie is of course, finding the band both Nick and Norah adore, and in doing so realizing their blossoming feelings for each other. All of this of course would have been a journey worth going on if chemistry had existed in the first place, and a supporting cast that wasn't relegated to jokes about fishing out a dropped phone in a dirty toilet. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist might be for some in the high school crowd, but generally speaking the only thing seemingly infinite is its 90 minute runtime.