What happens when you mix together two awkward kids, three homosexuals, a missing drunk girl, a crazy ex-girlfriend and a really gross piece of gum?
You get the plotline for the hipster comedy Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.
Based on the novel by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, the film tells the story of Nick (Michael Cera, Juno) and Nora (Kat Dennings, The House Bunny) as they venture through Manhattan in search of Where's Fluffy?, their favorite band.
Through a series of chance encounters and perceptive wit, the oddball adventure quickly becomes something that will forever change their lives.
The film begins with Nick recently dumped by his girlfriend of six months, Tris (Alexis Dziena, Fool's Gold). Blowing off some steam, Nick meets Norah in the audience at his concert gig as she baby-sits Caroline (Ari Graynor, Blues) her oftentimes drunk best friend.
Although the movie is enjoyable and campy, it suffers from a few plot holes and confusing moments, the biggest being the plausibility of the late-night New York City adventure taking place and the structural tidiness of all the chaos that occurs.
There are some significant differences between the film and the novel. In the book, for example, Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes as a way to avoid Tris, but in the movie it's the other way around; Norah uses Nick to prevent her own embarrassment.
Unsatisfying is the best description for the end of the film. As the credits roll, there are still plenty of unanswered questions.
Any college students looking for a laugh or just a fun movie will certainly enjoy Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Anyone looking for a little bit of substance, however, should look elsewhere.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
