Go See 'Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist'
Posted by anastasia on 10-07-2008
This past Sunday I saw "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" with my sister and loved it. In the spirit of "Dazed and Confused," we get to spend a whole night out with teenagers — this time in New York City. "Nick & Norah" felt to me like a teen movie for this generation. The lead guy is not some hunky misunderstood jock or "richie" but a lovable indie music nerd driving a Yugo (Michael Cera). Norah is gorgeous, has a normal body type…and she's an "out Jew." I can't remember too many teen movies where the lead actress is Jewish and proud of it. I loved that Nick is in a band with gay teen guys who are three-dimensional, non-stereotypical and fun. Also nice to see an Asian actor in that bunch. Hat tip to David Levithan for his amazing work integrating gay teens into the normal fabric of teen life like driving around all night trying to find out where your favorite band is playing a surprise show.
What I also found refreshing about the film, and I'm no teetotaler, was that both Nick and Nora don't drink. Nick is proudly "straight edge," and Norah just doesn't imbibe. Maybe because she spends most of her nights out babysitting her BFF Caroline, who binge drinks, passes out, pukes and otherwise makes an ass out of herself. She could be the new poster child for folks working on this issue. Most of the movie we are laughing at her, not with her, and are kind of grossed out by her. The contrast to Nick, Norah and the others is striking.
There is more I could write about this movie, but I don't want to spoil it for those of you who haven't seen it. I think I also need to download the soundtrack. As out of it as I have become with music, the soundtrack made me want to catch up. People who have been reading Ypulse for awhile know I didn't love "Juno." Nick & Norah had much more realistic dialogue. Less cute quips and more awkward pauses. The movie may not appeal to all teens, but for teens into music with an alternative sensibility, it will definitely be an indie classic. For those of you who saw the movie feel free to agree or disagree in the comments.
Sort of related:
Hollywood's hottest awkward teen (discovered by the Youth Advisory Board via our Twitter)
America Anonymous (speaking of binge drinking, my friend Benoit Denizet-Lewis has a new book out focusing on addiction in the U.S.)
Categorized under: Movies & Music
October 7th, 2008 at 11:35 am
I loved it!
A lot of people seem hell bent on comparing this movie to Juno but I don't see why. They are completely different movies that just happen to be about teens.
I'm now reading the book too!
October 7th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Yes, both were about teens, both featured the same actor and both included lots of indie music. I think there's enough for people to say they liked one more or less than the other. For me, I just couldn't stand the too cute dialog in Juno, it didn't feel real to me. But that's just my opinion.
October 7th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I agree Juno did not feel real. But I don't think it was trying to be.
I'm not trying to be argumentative but I just loved both movies and don't think they were trying to do the same thing.
different strokes and all though.
October 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
No worries! I'm sorry if my comment came off as short. Didn't mean for it to be – just multi-tasking:) I know lots of people who loved "Juno." Agreed, different strokes.
October 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I enjoyed Nick and Norah (way better than Juno which I need to write an essay on) but something about the set-up to the orgasm irked me. I loved the way that other things just are – the gay band mates, not drinking, body image, being Jewish etc but the fact she couldn’t just have an orgasm, it was set up as an almost challenge in the storyline, was weird.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I loved this movie! Thought it was excellent, almost as good as the book (which everyone should read), and I agree — gotta find the soundtrack.
Lisa
October 7th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I loved it so much that I wanted to stay in the theater and watch it again!
October 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Thanks, Anastasia. That's the most useful review of this movie I've seen yet. I wasn't sure if I wanted to see it, but now I definitely do. I'm sure I can convince my teenage daughter to come with me.
October 7th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I loved this movie–it was a love letter to being that age in NYC, and it felt natural and right.
Agreed!
October 8th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Loved Nick & Norah! It was just plain ole fun … and made me want to eat Michael Cera with a spoon – sweet.