"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" Plays Loyalties Tune

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Musical/Performing Arts, Romance, Adaptation and Teen

Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min.

Release Date: October 3rd, 2008 (wide)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior.

Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing

Directed by: Pete Sollett

JJ Rating: A

Nick (Michael Cera) has a nasty break-up. His friends demand that he come with them and play at a gig. He reluctantly goes and he ends up meets Norah (Kat Dennings) who ends up paling around with him. They argue, they laugh, they like each other, they hate each other, and they look for a lost blond...all in a night out. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.

I wanted to see this film from the moment I saw the poster months ago. Michael Cera is just a funny guy. Watching those webisodes proved that more and more to me. It's how he gets the awkward down perfectly. Maybe he's that awkward and maybe he's that great an actor. I'm thinking it's more he uses his awkward into his acting, but either way it's what makes him likable to me and entertaining.

Cera paring up with Kat Dennings was fantastic idea. They worked well together. There was this feisty connection. A great love/hate relationship going on almost all the way to the bitterless better end. His awkwardness and her stubborn sureness with a bit of tameness was a black cauldron of great movie watching.

Nick is in a band with two guys who are gay. What they did with those characters was smart. They didn't have a big coming out party for the characters like some movies do. Nick makes a joke about them being gay and that is how the viewers realize he's in a band with two gay guys. Then after that it's not harped on. They have a significant role in the film, but they and their sexuality don't overshadow it all. The reason that's smart is because it's showing that they are gay but part of the storyline that's not about them being gay. It puts them in the montage of the movie without them sticking out like a sore thumb. They are part of the movie and without them it wouldn't have been a good movie.

They play a vital role and that role is the great friends. Finally a movie that has friends that stick it out all the way through without bailing. Nick had those friends and Norah was that friend. It was great to see loyalty like that playing out on the screen.

The storyline was simple about them being out on the town looking for clues to point them to where this band called Where's Fluffy will be playing. Their relationship blossoms throughout the night with flare ups here and there over their exes. Especially Nick's ex because Norah seemingly has a big issue that he dated someone like that. Their bickering is humor filled. If you seen the trailers and you laughed then you'll enjoy this film. If you just rolled your eyes then you might as well not bother.

Norah's friend is the drunk and she is a great character. She gets lost and they have to go and find her. She's just having the time of her drunk life. So giddy and cheerful when she sees Norah which makes her a great comic relief in the story and she loves gum. She loves gum just a little too much.

And about the playlist...it was pretty cool. They did handle the music well throughout the film. Swell job guys.

I liked it just as much as I thought I would and I'm going to have it in my collection just as soon as it's released. Nick and Norah is a good simple film that champions loyalty, friendship (band mates) and moving on. Everything that is important not only in a teenager's life but everyone's. Nick and Norah are on my infinite movie list.