Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

He mooned and mumbled his way to our hearts in Superbad and Juno, but surely Michael Cera’s going to be pushing his luck if he tries to pull that same geek-done-good trick again? Things don’t get off to a promising start when we see him as Nick, alone in his bedroom leaving a long, awkward and endearingly nerdy message on his ex-girlfriend’s answer phone pleading for her to get back together with him. He makes cool mix CDs that she throws in the bin. He drives a rubbish little yellow car. He’s a bit serious and weedy compared to his friends. Oh dear.

We’ve seen it all before, but Cera somehow manages to keep it genuinely charming, while director Peter Sollett makes sure there are plenty of other points of interest to keep us busy. The action takes place in the course of one night, as Nick and Norah get together, go their separate ways and then get together again, all against the backdrop of them searching for a secret gig by their favourite band, Where’s Fluffy.

Sollett occasionally lets the pace slip and there are some running jokes that run on a bit too long, but in general the writing is sharp and funny and there are plenty of original gags – lots of them revolving around Nick’s sexy gay bandmates, Norah’s hopelessly drunk friend, and the fact that people keep mistaking Nick’s yellow car for a taxi. It’s all very sweet and there’s no mistaking how the film’s going to end. But it’s also smart, funny and further proof of Michael Cera’s comic talent.

Steve Watson

Anticipation:

Yet another mumbly geek gets the girl.

Enjoyment:

And there ain’t anything wrong with that.

In Retrospect:

But hopefully that’s the last one.