Michael Cera and Kat Dennings in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.
I was all excited to see Nick and Norah's Ininite Playlist when it came out last fall and then I missed it in theaters. & Imagine how pleased I was to find it On Demand this past Monday night. & It had been a long day, I'd just finished working out and plopped down on the couch with a plate full of popcorn. & One could argue I was primed, given the circumstances, to like this movie. & After all, my critical defenses were down, my brain fried, and I was couch cozy. But actually, I think I gave it just the right amount of attention. &
It's a sweet movie about two New York indie kids who spend the entire night in search of the hottest new underground band called Fluffy, whose performances are always a secret (soooo indie). These two Converse-wearing cuties are just meant to be. How do we know this? Norah, played by the lovely Kat Dennings , admires the mixed cd's that Nick, played by the ever-awkward Michael Cera (if there were a non-verbal version of early Hugh Grant's verbal awkwardness, Cera has it), makes for his horrible ex, who carelessly tosses them in the school garbage for Norah to retreive. & If Nick has any game with girls, it's his ability to recommend good music, and that kinda game only plays with certain girls. & They have to be willing to overlook the fact that he drives a bright yellow Yugo regularly mistaken for a cab. & Norah is just that kind of girl.
The music in Nick and Norah is excellent, as it should be. You'll hear Vampire Weekend , Band of Horses , and both hear and see Devendra Banhart (look for his quick cameo in a store). The script is decent, written by Lorene Scafaria, who I just learned is part of a crew of young, hot female screenwriters that includes Diablo Cody . & The writing isn't as self-consciously clever as Cody's and it's a more conventional narrative, but still sweet and well-done. & Next Monday, I highly suggest giving it a go.
