Film and Felt

I fully confess that my deep affection for this film stems from something far deeper than an admiration for acting, editing, and screenwriting. Oh, it’s a fine film in those regards…director Peter Sollett, who helmed the impressive, if underappreciated, Raising Victor Vargas in 2003, has a way of framing small moments as something altogether larger. An awkward conversation sends pleasant shivers through the spine, whether it’s between high school crushes or doting family members. In both of his films, Sollett avoids overreaching—his protagonists and secondary characters are clearly drawn and flow gracefully, stitched together by fluid dialogue and strong acting. Michael Cera and Kat Dennings as the title roles in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist are both outstanding, and a superb soundtrack & vibrant color schemes enhance the frenetic mood of those topsy-turvy high school days nights.

But for me, it goes deeper than this. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist has been described as the Facebook generation’s Before Sunrise, and that’s certainly half the reason I love it dearly. It’s also only half the story. Because Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist isn’t just a modern, American version of Before Sunrise—it’s also a portrait of a different time in life, a time when we’re not looking for a soulmate, but for the rush of lust and romantic excitement, the swings of euphoria one day, heartbreak the next. Sometimes, a dazzling erray of emotions can come together in one 6-hour stretch, culminating in a delirious rush of happiness; as rewarding as it all feels one minute, it can come crashing down any day. It’s a period of learning, sexual discovery, and intellectual exploration. This is a magical period of life, and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist absolutely nails it. Throughout the entire film, I felt happy, energized, invigorated…magical might be overly corny, but hell, when the shoe fits…and Sollett knows how to avoid treacle. Nick and Norah’s alcohol-free interactions, which fluctuate by the hour, add a particularly interesting dynamic to their relationship—after all, liquor is a major part of the teenage years for so many. The refusal by Nick and Norah to succumb to peer pressure allows a glimpse into a different sort of youth, one that directors too often ignore.

RATING: PRO