Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

by Aaron Helfferich · Published October 3, 2008

Before its release, it would have been easy to consider “Juno” too premature due to its adolescent characters and immature humor. However, with a heartwarming story and charming characters it’s easy to see why the Academy nominated it for best picture of the year. Now, a year later, a similar film sings to a different tune.

With sarcastic potty humor and “Juno’s” very own one-trick-pony, Michael Cera, “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist” seemed to setting up for an inevitable flop in repetition. Given so many similarities between the two films, audience members may have wrongfully entered thinking it was written by “Juno” writer, Diablo Cody.

While “Nick and Nora” greets us with its fair share of potty humor, the true colors of the film are eventually brought out by the captivating relationship of the title characters. With both Nick and Nora trying to overcome their recent slump in the dating scene, their blossoming relationship brings them closer together than their identical taste in music. What originally starts as a scavenger hunt to find venue of their favorite band’s surprise gig in New York City, Nick and Nora’s evening together takes them on a journey in which they discover the consequences of their choices and the steps they can help eachother take to get back on their feet.

Even among its troublesome predictability, it’s the engaging chemistry between Michael Cera (Nick) and Kat Dennings (Nora) that keeps “Nick and Nora” from falling into redundancy. As she is finally given her chance to shine, Dennings finds a humbling decency in Nora that not even Juno’s constant sarcasm could have destroyed. Her presence everywhere is scene-stealing magic.

As a story about two teens emerging from their previous toxic relationships, “Nick and Nora” eventually stands firm with a prominent message that every age can appreciate. With a simplistic love story resting at its core, “Nick and Nora” transcends its assumed audience to become a pleasant surprise for adults. Above all things, this playlist carries a powerful message that transfers so well through its infinitely marvelous main characters.