Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

If someone were to sum up “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist,” in one word, that word would be mediocre. A mediocre script, with mediocre camera work, with a mediocre story, and mediocre acting. Simply put, this is not a flick with much to it; the kind of flick that requires you to turn your brain off to enjoy.

Everything about this movie could have been so much better, it is obvious to see everything they were planning to do, they just did not execute that plan very well. It felt as if the screenwriter, Lorene Scafaria, was attempting to be the next Diablo Cody (Juno). That was the biggest mistake. Nick and Norah’s needed its own special style, something to make it unique, not something that has already been done, and done well. This created a very fake forced feeling script that caused the cast to act very fake and forced.

Considering the material the cast was given to work with, the acting was alright. It’s still disappointing, because a majority of the cast has proven their skill in other films. They just didn’t handle the lack of script that was given to them. Michael Cera was his usual awkward self, as the character that he has been so horribly typecasted as. Kat Dennings managed to create one of the more convincing roles out of the worst-written character, and the rest of the cast only supported the general mediocrity of the movie.

The best part of the movie was the soundtrack. If the rest of the film had been created with the same focus with which the soundtrack was chosen, this review would have a completely different tone. With bands like Modest Mouse, Tekka Tekka, The Dead 60’s, and The Submarines, an atmosphere was developed that complemented the intended ‘indie’ style perfectly. The soundtrack was used very well within the film, continuously playing as to portray the idea of an infinite playlist. The soundtrack was a great way to tie the whole movie together, and keep the intended flow. Too bad this is the only great part of the movie.

The flick opens nation wide in 3 days, I’m not going to say don’t see it, just don’t expect to get much from it.

5/10 stars

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language, and crude behavior.