Production Information: Roberts, Kerry Kohansky. (Producer), & Sollet, Peter. (Director). (2008). Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. (DVD). USA: Columbia Pictures.
Plot Summary: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is based on Rachel Cohn and David Levithan's novel of the same name. Two teenagers Nick (played by Michael Cera) and Norah (played by Kat Dennings) meet each other at a club in New York City. Nick is a member of the band "The Jerk-Offs" and the other two members of the band are gay. Nick is heartbroken after his long term girlfriend, Tris, breaks up with him. Nick makes Tris "breakup" Cd's and after Tris throws the Cd's in the trash Norah retrieves them. She loves the music. After Nick gets done playing with the Jerk-Offs, Norah asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend and kiss her. Norah is trying to get rid of some guy that likes her. Norah and Tris go to the same school but they do not like each other. Tris sees Nick kissing Norah and she gets jealous.
Meanwhile, Norah's friend Caroline gets raging drunk and Thom (member of the Jerk-Offs) tells Nick he will drive her home so that Nick and Norah can find their favorite band, Where's Fluffy? and get to know each other. Caroline escapes the van and wanders drunkenly throughout the streets of New York City. Nick and Norah finally find Caroline on stage at a gay cabaret. Norah gets upset when she tells Nick it was so nice meeting him, but he doesn't respond. Tris decides she wants Nick back after seeing him with Norah. She tries to seduce him by dancing seductively. Nick comes to his senses and realizes how much he likes Norah. Nick and Norah go to the Electric Lady Studios and Nick plays bass while Norah sings. Norah's father owns the studio.
Critical Evaluation: The casting of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is superb. Michael Cera as Nick is darling and lovable. Kat Dennings as Norah is sensual, sarcastic and smart. Alexis Dziena also does an excellent job at playing Tris. She comes across as bratty but she is very attractive. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is entertaining, romantic and brings back memories of the teenage years: good and bad. For viewers who love music, the soundtrack of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is mostly from indie bands in New York City. Much of the music was performed by unknowns which made the movie more interesting and authentic.
Annotation: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is a delightful coming-of-age teen film that delivers laughs, love, friendship and presents the challenges of being a teenager.
About the Director: Peter Sollett was born in Brooklyn, New York, in an Italian Jewish neighborhood. In an interview Peter says as a teenager he was a little like Nick, quiet and reserved. In 1998 Peter graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. His short film Five Feet High and Rising won the Best Short Film Prize at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
About the Director: Peter Sollett was born in Brooklyn, New York, in an Italian Jewish neighborhood. In an interview Peter says as a teenager he was a little like Nick, quiet and reserved. In 1998 Peter graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. His short film Five Feet High and Rising won the Best Short Film Prize at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
Sollett's first feature film, Raising Victor Vargas, premiered at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival where Samuel Goldwyn/Fireworks Films acquired it. Sollett describes Victor as a teen who he would have liked to be, much more self confident than he was as a teenager. Raising Victor Vargas earned Sollett numerous awards. Sollett is a member of the faculty at Columbia University School of the Arts.
Retrieved May 2, 2010 at: http://blog.spout.com/2008/09/18/peter-sollett-interview-nick-norahs-infinite-playlist-toronto-2008/
Genre: Film/ Coming-Of-Age/ Comedy/Romance
Curriculum Ties: Indie Music
Talking Points: Nick and Norah, two strangers, find themselves at a club kissing in order for Norah to "look like" she's in a relationship. Will they find love, by accident, in the heart of New York City as they are on a quest looking for their favorite band?
Rating and Interest Age: PG-13: 13 and older
Challenge Issues: Alcohol and reference to sex.
Reason for Inclusion: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist appeals to teens: friendship, alternative lifestyles, music, partying, relationships and romance.
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