Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008/Sony DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C     Film: C

 

 

Michael Cera continues to show up in Superbad mode, this time playing Nick, another character caught between reality and nuttiness in Peter Sollett’s Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008).  Trying to avoid nerdom, boredom and other stupidity, he is in between relationships when he has an almost meet-cute with the rather lively Norah (Kat Dennings) that could go by without any follow-up.  However, when their related friends find themselves drunk, out of control and even lost, it brings them together unexpectedly just to save the night.

 

Prowling around in his barely-functioning Yugo automobile, the night just becomes filled with more and more obstacles, while they at least get along.  Of course, we wonder if they will get together and in Cera comedies, a happier ending is not always in the cards.  However, Lorene Scafaria’s screenplay gets sidetracked by jokes and other would-be funny moments that are never convincing and one too many that seem desperate.  The fun had with Cera’s persona is not funny enough and despite some good performances here, the film never delivers on its potential, including some potential chemistry with its leads.  However, Cera fans will be amused and Dennings could be a new star if she gets better films.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is a little soft here but is consistent just the same, while Director of Photography Tom Richmond does some good work here.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is on the dialoguer-based side, so don’t expect great sonics, but it is a competent recording.  Extras include a Digital Copy of the film you can download for PC and PC portable devices, cast/crew audio commentary, Dennings doing a Nick & Norah Puppet Show, outtakes, deleted scenes and a music video.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo