Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Director: Peter Sollett
Production Company: Mandate Pictures/Depth of Field
Screenplay: Lorene Scafaria, based on the novel by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan 
Cinematographer: Tom Richmond 
Editor: Myron Kerstein 
Sound: Damian Canelos 
Music: Mark Mothersbaugh 
Principal Cast: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Alexis Dziena, Ari Graynor, Aaron Yoo

Country: USA 
Year: 2008 
Language: English 
Runtime: 90 minutes 
Format: Colour/35mm 
Rating: 14A

Release Date: October 3^rd, 2008

Written by Brittney Teasdale (Downtown Toronto Correspondent – Canada)

Director, Peter Sollett, was born in Brooklyn and studied cinema at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is his second feature film, his first being Raising Victor Vargas in 2002. He also made an award winning short film called Five Feet High and Rising which won awards at festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, Aspen and South by Southwest.

Peter Sollett shows the streets of New York City from the point of view of teenagers being teens.  The film starts off on one particular night when the elusive band called “Where’s Fluffy?” announces that they will be having a secret concert at an unknown venue.  Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a contemporary romantic comedy set in an uncommon setting, being a straight romance in the midst of the queer underground music scene. As unconventional as this may sound, the setting brings warmth to the film, which prior to viewing, may seem unexpected.

Nick, Michael Cera, is heart broken by his ex, Tris, who’s physical appearance blinds him from her true lack of character. At the beginning of the film, he and his band, “The Jerk Offs”, have a concert which his ex shows up to with another guy. This throws Nick for a loop and in the fluster of emotions he comes face to face with Norah at the bar. They do not know each other but are connected in an unexpected way; Norah and Tris go to the same high school. In Norah’s attempt to prove to Tris that she has a boyfriend, not knowing that Nick is Tris’ ex, kisses Nick. From this begins a night of revenge and romance while Nick and Norah try to find Norah’s intoxicated friend Caroline, played by Ari Graynor, and their favorite band, “Where’s Fluffy?”.

Peter Sollett has a great talent for creating real spaces and humble very intriguing characters. Michael Cera is versatile and shows that there are many dimensions to being an awkward teenager.  For whoever is familiar with the television show Arrested Development and loves his character, George Michael, will fall in love with Nick. Norah, Kat Dennings, is a great counterpoint to Nick, she is sharp, but still just as frightened by love as him underneath. The two of them have a very strong connection on the screen and transform an almost simplistic script into something quite wonderful, mature and lovely.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist may not be what most people would expect after Michael Cera’s previous film, Superbad, since it was jam packed with obnoxious humor,  but instead it presents a world in which viewers, particular the youth culture, can relate with. The film made me want to fall in love all over again, and made me laugh till my belly hurt. It portrayed the power of music which so many youth believe in and also the change that one crazy night out can bring. Peter Sollett brings to life what I believe to be the real New York City is for today’s youth. We are living in a time were the indie music industry is very present and for any music lover, a substantial section of their music collection. There is a genuine quality to the film; which makes it impossible for one not to connect with Nick and Norah and want them to realize what they are capable of doing together.  

This film is for anyone who wants to laugh, love, or even cry. There are so many emotions at work during this film that cannot be ignored. Although, I must admit, I am a huge fan of Michael Cera, he honestly gives a great performance in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Unlike some of his previous work, such as the character “Evan” in the comedy Superbad, where he is solely cast for comic purposes, in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist he delivers much, much more. One sympathizes, relates to, and feels for Nick. All and all, the film was the best romantic comedy I have seen since Juno.