Nick and Norah take viewers on musical adventure

By Saurabh Muzumdar

Just like last year's laugh-out-loud comedy "Superbad," "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" is a boy-meets-girl story that plays out over one wild night.

Michael Cera, also in "Superbad" and "Juno," plays Nick O'Leary, a high school kid who plays the bass guitar.

Nick could be popular, but his band is called The Jerk Offs and his thoughts are haunted by his ex-girlfriend Tris, who stripped him of all his self-respect and even brought him to take mental health days.

Cera is back in awkward heartbreak mode, and he is brilliant as Nick. You will laugh through his pain and cheer for him because he is the ultimate underdog.

Nick embodies the theme of staying true to yourself and doing what you believe in, no matter how pathetic others might think you are. He personifies this belief by driving a battered yellow Yugo that people often mistake for a cab and offering a Handi Wipe to a bemused Norah when she needs one.

Nick is a tortured soul, and his existence is ridden with teenage angst. Tonight, however, Nick gets the chance of a lifetime.

Where's Fluffy?, a mysterious band with a hard-core following, is playing somewhere in New York City, and it's a race against time to find the venue and watch them play.

This could be Nick's ultimate quest for musical salvation -- or at least a meek attempt to get over Tris with a wild night out.

For Norah Silverberg, who is played by Kat Dennings, also in "Charlie Bartlett," this night is spent like every other night -- partying with her good friend Caroline. Norah is a privileged kid with a music-producer father who has exposed her to music royalty, and she scorns the people who try to befriend her because of her connections.

Norah doesn't need leeches -- she just wants a boyfriend -- and Nick is far from what she would deem to be a right fit.

Yet this night has a sprinkle of magic in the air.

As it happens, a catty confrontation with Tris ends up with Norah asking Nick to be her boyfriend for five minutes.

Whether it's the electric chemistry between Nick and Norah or the plausibility of their characters' attraction, one can easily see why the rebellious Norah can't seem to get enough of the nerdy Nick.

In a lot of ways, this movie is a feel-good endeavor. There is no message being sent and no propaganda being fulfilled. It's just a manifestation of favorable, though admittedly hard to believe, circumstances.

It showcases the infamous island of Manhattan in its full light: the clubs, the parties, the nightlife and the possibilities.

The screenplay gets lethargic at times, dragging along at a slow pace and often going off on unneeded tangents, but the soundtrack makes for a great iPod playlist.

This movie is no must-see, but, as a pair, Nick and Norah succeed where their musical journey fails.

Grade: B

Contact Saurabh Muzumdar at smuzumdar@scu.edu.