With its sweet teen coupling and ardent devotion to music, NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST feels like the cinematic equivalent of a mixtape made by John Hughes and Cameron Crowe. But the film is actually directed by Peter Sollett, who earned praise for his debut feature, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS. This studio-produced comedy is a bit shinier and more polished, but it still has hints of the authenticity that made his first film so well loved. NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST centers on two New Jersey teens, newly single Nick (Michael Cera, JUNO) and his fellow music lover Norah (Kat Dennings, CHARLIE BARTLETT), who meet at Nick's band's show in New York City. Their very long night in the city is driven by two searches: one for a secret concert by their favorite band, Where's Fluffy; and a second for Norah's irresponsible and drunk friend Caroline (Ari Graynor, in what should be a star-making performance). The pair bounce through the streets of New York in Nick's Yugo and his bandmate's van, bonding over their shared love of music, while their exes threaten their new romance.
Based on a young adult novel by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST makes an able leap to the screen. Dennings and Cera are likeably awkward in their tentative courtship, but much of the praise should go to music supervisor Linda Cohen and composer Mark Mothersbaugh. Cohen picks of-the-moment bands such as Vampire Weekend, Takka Takka, We Are Scientists, and Band of Horses that are sure to make the soundtrack as big a hit as the film, while Mothersbaugh perfectly complements Nick and Norah's sweet romance with his fun yet unobtrusive score.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, French
Subtitles - English, French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Alternate Scenes
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
Featurette: A Nick & Norah Puppet Show - Kat Dennings, Director
Behind the Scenes: Ari Graynor's Video Diary: A Look Behind-The-Scenes
Audio Commentary: Director, Writers, Cast Commentary
Interviews: Faux Interview With Kat Dennings and Eddie Kaye Thomas
Music Video: Music Video: MIDDLE MANAGEMENT- Bishop Allen, Performer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Photos - Peter Sollett's Photo Album
Storyboards:
1. Storyboard Animations/Commentary
2. Storyboard Animation Piece
Distributor Notes: "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" is a comedy about two people thrust together for one hilarious, sleepless night of adventure in a world of mix tapes, late-night living, and, live, loud music. Nick (Michael Cera) frequents New York's indie rock scene nursing a broken heart and a vague ability to play the bass. Norah (Kat Dennings) is questioning pretty much all of her assumptions about the world. Though they have nothing in common except for their taste in music, their chance encounter leads to an all-night quest to find a legendary band's secret show and ends up becoming the first date in a romance that could change both their lives.
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Stars
Michael Cera: Canadian actor: ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT series
Kat Dennings: Actor, CHARLIE BARTLETT
Alexis Dziena: Actress, FOOL'S GOLD
Ari Graynor: Star, BOOK OF LOVE (2004)
Aaron Yoo: Star, DISTURBIA (2007)
Rafi Gavron: Star, BREAKING AND ENTERING (2006)
Jay Baruchel: Actor
Director
Peter Sollett: Director, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS (2003)
Producer
Chris Weitz: Director/Actor/Writer, DOWN TO EARTH (2001)
Paul Weitz: Director/Playwright/Screenwriter, AMERICAN PIE (2000)
Andrew Miano: Executive Producer, IN GOOD COMPANY (2004)
Kerry Kohansky: Executive producer
Screenwriter
Lorene Scafaria: Screenwriter
Composer
Mark Mothersbaugh: Film and TV Composer, RUSHMORE (1998)
Director of Photography
Tom Richmond: Indie cinematographer
Executive Producer
Adam Brightman: PRODUCER\"HEADING HOME"
Executive Producer
Joe Drake: Executive Producer, LORDS OF DOGTOWN (2005)
Executive Producer
Nathan Kahane: Producer, HAROLD & KUMAR... (2004)
Source Writer
David Levithan: Novelist
Source Writer
Rachel Cohn: Novelist
Music Supervisor
Linda Cohen: Music, GIGANTIC: A TALE OF TWO JOHNS (2003)
Review 1:
"Dennings is the revelation here....She is smart, likable and funny and may be ready to assume the mantle from JUNO's Ellen Page as the coolest young female star."
Source: USA Today
10/03/2008
Review 2:
"[F]leshed out with atmosphere, a nice blend of broad goofiness and sophistication, and two appealing leads who bring it to life."
Source: Los Angeles Times
10/03/2008
Review 3:
"[T]he director, Peter Sollett, spins a shy, sweet romance around a carefully chosen soundtrack....Sollett shows an admirably low-key directorial temperament...."
Source: New York Times
10/03/2008
Review 4:
"The marvelous, magical boy-meets-girl-in-the-city-that-never-sleeps romantic comedy NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST is a revolutionary movie disguised as a familiar story." -- Grade: A-
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.46-47 10/10/2008
Review 5:
"[I]t's a fantasy of one night in New York City and all its insanity, grossness, romance, and glamour."
Source: Premiere
10/03/2008
Review 6:
3 stars out of 5 -- "It's a cutesy, SUPERBAD-eyed view of being a late teen....The leads are flawless. Cera may always play the same rabbit in the headlights, but it's role uniquely his own."
Source: Total Film
02/01/2009