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Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
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Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPeter Sollett
Screenplay byLorene Scafaria
Based onNick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
by Rachel Cohn
David Levithan
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTom Richmond
Edited byMyron Kerstein
Music byMark Mothersbaugh
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release dates
  • September 6, 2008 (2008-09-06) (TIFF)
  • October 3, 2008 (2008-10-03) (United States)
Running time
89 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10 million
Box office$33.5 million

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is a 2008 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Peter Sollett and starring Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Alexis Dziena, Ari Graynor, Aaron Yoo and Jay Baruchel. Written by Lorene Scafaria and based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, the story tells of teenagers Nick (Cera) and Norah (Dennings), who meet when Norah asks Nick to pretend to be her boyfriend for five minutes. Over the course of the night, they try to find their favorite band's secret show and search for Norah's drunken best friend.

The film came into development in 2003 when producer Kerry Kohansky Roberts found Cohn and Levithan's novel and decided to adapt it for film. Scafaria was hired to write the script in 2005, and Sollett signed on to direct the film in 2006. Principal photography took place over 29 days from October to December 2007, primarily in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York City.

The film premiered on September 6, 2008, at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically on October 3, 2008. It tripled its US$10 million budget with a total gross of US$33.5 million. An accompanying soundtrack was released on September 23, 2008, and the film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 3, 2009. It attracted generally positive reviews from critics and received nominations for three Satellite Awards, one GLAAD Media Award, one MTV Movie Award and one Golden Reel Award.

Plot

[edit]

New Jersey teenager Nick O'Leary is a straight bass player in the queercore band The Jerk-Offs. Heartbroken after being dumped by his girlfriend Tris, he continues making and sending her "breakup" mix CDs. Bandmates Thom and Dev convince Nick to perform at a club and search for a secret show that legendary indie band Where's Fluffy? is performing in NYC that night.

Norah Silverberg attends Convent of the Sacred Heart with her friends Tris and Caroline. She appreciates Nick's taste in music when retrieving his mix CDs that Tris throws away. The three end up at Arlene's Grocery in Manhattan, where The Jerk-Offs are playing.

After Tris teases her about not having a boyfriend, Norah asks Nick to pretend to be one and kisses him, not knowing he is the one Tris dumped. Caroline gets drunk so Norah decides to take her home, but Nick's bandmates offer to do so and encourage Norah and Nick to find the Where's Fluffy? show together.

When Thom and Dev stop at Gray's Papaya for hot dogs, a confused Caroline wakes up and escapes from Thom's van, believing they plan to sexually assault her. Nick and Norah meet with Thom and Dev to try to find her. A confusing phone call leads them to look for her at a club that Where's Fluffy? is rumored to be playing, but cannot find Caroline or the band. They finally locate her when she gives them clues in another phone call.

A jealous Tris catches up with the group, and Nick leaves them to talk to her. An upset Norah meets her on-again-off-again boyfriend Tal at a club. When she realizes he only hopes to get a record deal with her famous producer father, she promptly leaves him. Nick decides to confront Tris, but she pleads for a ride home and flirts with him in the car. They stop, and while she seductively dances in front of the car, Nick reminisces fondly about Norah and the night's events and drives away, leaving Tris behind.

Nick calls Norah, apologizing for leaving, and she agrees to meet him again. They go to Electric Lady Studios, Norah's father's music studio. She gets Nick to play something he wrote in the studio and then joins him in the recording room. They kiss, and Nick gives Norah her first orgasm.

Norah gets a text message from Caroline telling her she learned the location of the Where's Fluffy? show. When they arrive at the venue, they run into Tris and Tal. Tal starts a fight with Nick, but Thom and Dev's friend Lethario steps in and headbutts him.

Nick and Norah share a smile and leave together. At Penn Station, Nick admits that he does not care about missing the concert, and they kiss on the escalator as the sun rises over New York.

Cast

[edit]
  • Michael Cera as Nick, the "straight bass player in a gay band" teenager who is heartbroken after his girlfriend breaks up with him. Cera was the first actor to be cast after being recommended to Sollett by producer Kerry Kohansky Roberts based on his performance in Arrested Development.[3][4] Sollett called him a "genius" and a "terrific actor",[5] as well as a "brilliant improvisational comedian".[6] Cera, who had previously taken improvisation classes, said that "It's fun [to improvise], just having a conversation. It always feels real because it is real."[7] He lived in an apartment in New York's East Village for the duration of filming.[8] Cera had never driven a stick shift vehicle before filming, and was taught so that he could be shot driving Nick's Yugo.[3]
  • Kat Dennings as Norah, the beautiful teenage daughter of a wealthy record producer who shares Nick's passion for music. Dennings was the second actor to be cast (Cera having been first),[3] Sollett saying that "her being liberated from [people's expectations] liberated the film in many ways, and certainly her character from cliché."[9] Dennings felt that she related to Norah more than any other she had played before and "wanted to make sure she was really fleshed out".[10] Her favorite day of shooting was with a group of drag queens at a gay cabaret,[3] but she said that filming Norah's first orgasm was "really uncomfortable... Really, really."[11]
  • Alexis Dziena as Tris, Nick's unfaithful ex-girlfriend who attends school with Norah and Caroline. Dziena was one of the first actors cast, having done her final read-through audition with Cera, Dennings, and Graynor.[3] She said that the filming period was "a really fantastic time", but complained about the night shoots and having to sleep through the day: "Oh, it's terrible. ... I'm okay as long as the sun's not up when I'm going to sleep but sleeping during the day is rough."[12]
  • Ari Graynor as Caroline, Norah's best friend. Graynor auditioned for the roles of both Norah and Caroline, and was chosen to play Caroline, which she says rescued her from "one of those horrible actor black holes of really thinking that I'd probably never work again".[13] Graynor related to both characters, saying that "I've had many nights as Caroline. And I've had many nights as Norah, taking care of Caroline."[13] Sollett claimed that "everything she did in the movie was her own invention", calling her improvisation "brilliant".[6] She improvised an entire scene taking place at the Port Authority Bus Station in which Caroline talks to a stranger and which was not part of the script.[6] When Caroline vomits, Graynor held a mixture of ginger ale and ginger cookie in her mouth which she spat into a toilet and a bag.[3]
  • Aaron Yoo as Thom, Nick's friend and the guitarist for The Jerk-Offs. Yoo was supposed to mime playing the guitar when filming The Jerk-Offs' concert, but requested that he be taught the chords to play when he had spare time. He found it very difficult to drive the van featured in the film and jokingly referred to it as a "tank" and a "World War II veteran".[14]
  • Rafi Gavron as Dev, Nick's friend and the lead singer of The Jerk-Offs. Gavron recorded a song performed by The Jerk-Offs in the film at Electric Lady Studios, where part of the story takes place. Filming The Jerk-Offs' concert at Don Hill's in New York, the owner of the bar, Don Hill, mistook Gavron for a professional musician in spite of Gavron's calling himself a "useless singer".[15]
  • Jonathan B. Wright as Beefy Guy (Lethario), a new gay friend of Thom and Dev.
  • Jay Baruchel as Tal, Norah's "friend with benefits" and an amateur musician. Baruchel said that the film was "by far the hippest movie I've ever been in—that's for damn sure".[16]

Cameos

[edit]
  • Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, authors of the same-titled novel on which the film is based, have uncredited cameos as a couple sitting behind Nick and Norah at a diner.[17]
  • Lorene Scafaria, who wrote the screenplay for the film, cameos as Drunk Girl in Yugo
  • Seth Meyers and Andy Samberg, then working together in the cast of Saturday Night Live, cameo as Drunk Guy in Yugo and Homeless Man, respectively
  • Eddie Kaye Thomas, Graynor's then boyfriend, cameos as Jesus in a gay cabaret[13]
  • John Cho cameos as Hype Man
  • Kevin Corrigan agreed to cameo as Man at Port Authority so long as he had no speaking lines; his turkey sandwich scene, which was not scripted, was entirely improvised by Graynor.[6]
  • Devendra Banhart, whose song "Lover" plays during the opening credits/scenes, cameos as Customer in Deli.[18]

Production

[edit]

Writing

[edit]

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is based on the novel written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, which producer Kerry Kohansky Roberts brought into development as a film in 2003.[19] Lorene Scafaria was hired by Roberts in early 2005 to adapt the novel for Chris and Paul Weitz and Focus Features;[20][21] the script was her first film adaptation.[22] Peter Sollett signed on to direct the film in 2006, when the script was in its second draft, and collaborated with Scafaria.[6] Scafaria said that Norah "was me on the page",[22] while Sollett felt that as a teenager he was "not dissimilar to Nick".[6] Both had similar experiences to Nick and Norah, commuting into Manhattan at night, Scafaria from New Jersey and Sollett from Staten Island.[4]

Cohn and Levithan had written the novel in alternating chapters: Cohn writing from Norah's perspective and Levithan writing from Nick's perspective.[23] Cera and Dennings recorded voice-over narration to mimic the first-person perspective from which the novel is written, but the voice-overs were not included in the final cut of the film.[24] Scafaria says that the differences between the novel and the film were "to make it a little more cinematic". She said that Nick and Norah's parents were written out of the script "to absorb what it's like to be young, [because] you're not thinking about your parents when you're out all night".[22] In addition to searching for Where's Fluffy?, Sollett felt that the film needed a second MacGuffin to propel the story forwards, so Norah's best friend Caroline got drunk and then lost, giving Nick and Norah an additional objective.[6]

Filming

[edit]

Shooting on a budget of US$10 million,[25] principal photography of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist took place from late October to early December 2007.[26] The film was shot over 29 days in one-week blocks,[6][27] and was one of the first to receive a filming subsidy from the state of New York under the "Made in NY" incentive program.[28] Filming took place mainly in Manhattan's East Village and Lower East Side,[11] as well as Williamsburg, Brooklyn.[29] Filming locations included Katz's Delicatessen, Mercury Lounge, Arlene's Grocery, Pennsylvania Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal, Veselka restaurant, and Don Hill's bar.[4][29][30] Union Pool, a bar in Brooklyn, was also used for filming but requested to be called "Brooklyn Pool" in the film,[6] and Norah's father's recording studio was filmed at Electric Lady Studios.[27] Some scenes were shot on a sound stage in a studio in Brooklyn.[11]

The cast did many rehearsals, including on-location rehearsals, which Dennings described as "the most practical thing I've ever heard of".[3] During the course of filming, the actors slept during the day, woke in the afternoon, had their make-up applied on set, and filmed from dusk until dawn.[24] The cast and crew members would often sit inside The Jerk-Offs' van between takes to avoid the cold, and sometimes stayed inside, out of sight, while scenes were being filmed in the van.[14][31] Reshoots of the film began in May 2008;[31] the film had originally begun at The Jerk-Offs' show where Nick and Norah first meet, and all prior scenes were written in later.[32] Editor Myron Kerstein cut some of the shots on set due to time and budgetary restraints.[33]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist received generally positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 75% based on 186 reviews, with an average score of 6.6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist combines a pair of charming leads, the classic New York backdrop, and a sweet soundtrack".[34] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film received an average score of 64 out of 100, based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[35] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[36]

Claudia Puig of USA Today gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, praising Dennings' on-screen presence, the "considerable chemistry" between Cera and Dennings, and the "excellent" soundtrack.[37] The New York Times critic A. O. Scott described Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist as a "shy, sweet romance" that "surveys the varieties of teenage experience with tolerant sympathy".[38] James Berardinelli of ReelViews reviewed the film warmly with three out of four stars, complimenting the soundtrack, the "witty" dialog and the appeal of the film to both adults and teenagers.[39] Michael Ordona wrote for the Los Angeles Times that the film is familiar, but is "fleshed out with atmosphere, a nice blend of broad goofiness and sophistication, and two appealing leads who bring it to life".[40] Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum graded the film as an A−, giving particular commendation to its nonchalant portrayal of gay teenagers and Norah's Jewish identity.[41] Richard Corliss of Time magazine opined that the film was "smart, sweet, [and] bordering-on-adorable" while the title characters were "worth watching, admiring and cuddling up to".[42]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist "doesn't bring much to the party. [...] It's not much of a film, but it sort of gets you halfway there, like a Yugo."[43] Rolling Stone's Peter Travers gave the film 2 out of 4 stars, saying, "I'm yawning just writing this. ... Sollett, hoping for a Before Sunrise/Before Sunset vibe, sadly settles for a soggy aftertaste."[44] In a review for The Village Voice, Robert Wilonsky likened the film to "something crafted in a lab by 54-year-old hucksters trying to sell shit to the kids under the cheerless guise of 'alternative.' The only thing it's an alternative to? Good."[45] Variety magazine's John Anderson described it as a "sparsely plotted comedy" that is "sweet, no doubt, but a bit too slick for its own good".[46]

Box office

[edit]

Sollett and the cast at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

The world premiere of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist was held on September 6, 2008, at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.[47] It was released theatrically in the United States on October 3, 2008, grossing US$11,311,751 from 2,421 screens on its debut weekend, placing third in the box office rankings.[48] The following weekend, it grossed $6,420,474 with a per-screen average of $2,652 and a cumulative gross of $20,730,708, ranking fifth.[48] It earned another $3,693,384 on its third weekend with a per-screen average of $1,648 and a cumulative gross of $26,500,875, dropping to eighth place.[48] The film ended its theatrical run with a total domestic gross of $31,487,293 and a foreign gross of $2,018,844, giving a worldwide total of $33,506,137.[25] It placed 92nd for the highest-grossing films of 2008 and 85th for the year's highest-grossing opening weekends.[25]

The film was screened at the London Film Festival in October 2008[49] and at the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema in March 2009.[50]

Award nominations

[edit]

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist was nominated for three Satellite Awards, in the categories of Best Film – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Michael Cera), Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Kat Dennings), but failed to win any.[51] The film was also nominated at the GLAAD Media Awards in the category of Outstanding Film – Wide Release,[52] and Kat Dennings was nominated for an MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance – Female.[53] The film's supervising music editor Andrew Dorfman was nominated for a Golden Reel Award by the Motion Picture Sound Editors for Best Sound Editing – Music in a Feature Film, but did not win.[54]

Home media

[edit]

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist was released on DVD and Blu-ray in North America on February 3, 2009. The disc includes: one audio commentary with Peter Sollett, Michael Cera, Kat Dennings and Ari Graynor, and another with Sollett, Rachel Cohn, David Levithan, and Lorene Scafaria; the featurettes "A Nick and Norah Puppet Show by Kat Dennings" and "Ari Graynor's Video Diary: A Look Behind-the-Scenes"; a music video for Bishop Allen's song "Middle Management"; storyboard animations with optional audio commentary; a faux interview with Michael Cera, Kat Dennings and Eddie Kaye Thomas; deleted scenes; outtakes; and a photo gallery.[55]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Main article: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (soundtrack)

Cohn and Levithan's novel contained many musical references, including songs by The Cure and Green Day, as did Scafaria's screenplay, which she originally submitted with a mix CD featuring her ideas for the film's soundtrack, including songs by The Black Keys, Bloc Party, and Frou Frou.[22] In the final cut of the film, however, most of the music was chosen by Sollett, editor Myron Kerstein and music supervisor Linda Cohen.[5] Sollett said that he "got lucky" with the songs that he was able to choose because, within the financiers and the studio, "there was nobody in that group who knew all that much about music or the music that we had in the film".[5] His objective when selecting the music was to find "the best music you haven't heard yet", primarily from bands based in New York City.[6] While filming in New York, he emailed songs "right out of my iTunes [library]" which he thought would suit particular scenes to Kerstein, who was in Los Angeles assembling the film as it was shot.[4]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is a American film directed by in his feature-length follow-up to the independent drama , adapted from the 2006 young adult of the same name co-authored by and . The screenplay by follows (), a heartbroken high school senior and bass player in a queercore punk band, who meets Norah (), a sharp-witted music enthusiast reeling from her own romantic turmoil, at a chaotic club show; the two strangers fake a relationship to escape Nick's ex-girlfriend before teaming up for an all-night quest through Manhattan's underground to find a surprise performance by their favorite band, Where's Fluffy? Produced by under Releasing, the film features a supporting cast including as Nick's ex Tris, as Nick's bandmate Dev, and as Norah's flamboyant best friend Caroline, with cameo appearances by indie musicians such as Devendra Banhart. Filmed on location in over 29 days with a budget of $10 million, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist premiered at the on September 6, 2008, and was theatrically released in the United States on October 3, 2008, grossing $31.5 million domestically and $33.5 million worldwide against its modest production costs. The film's soundtrack, released by , compiles 16 tracks from indie and alternative artists including Bishop Allen, , and , capturing the vibrant New York music scene central to the story and contributing to its cult appeal among young audiences. Critics praised the chemistry between Cera and Dennings, the authentic portrayal of teenage awkwardness and indie culture, and the energetic direction, though some noted the plot's episodic structure and reliance on familiar rom-com tropes; it holds a 74% approval rating on based on 184 reviews, with a consensus highlighting its "sweet and smart" charm. While not a major awards contender, the film earned nominations including the and , and its influence endures in YA adaptations blending music, romance, and urban exploration.

Development and production

Writing and adaptation

The film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is based on the novel of the same name by and , published in May 2006 by Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Children's Books. The book, written in alternating first-person chapters from the perspectives of protagonists Nick and Norah, explores themes of teenage romance, heartbreak, and the indie music scene through their voices. Lorene Scafaria wrote the screenplay, marking her first produced adaptation after being hired in 2005 by Depth of Field Productions—the company of producers Chris and Paul Weitz—for Focus Features. Scafaria transformed the novel's dual first-person narrative into a cohesive third-person script, blending the distinct voices of Cohn and Levithan while preserving their strong characterizations and emphasizing the central motifs of music as a connector for young love and self-discovery. In adapting the story, she revised elements to enhance cinematic flow, condensing the episodic structure of one night in New York City into a visually dynamic journey that highlights the urban indie rock environment. Key adaptations from the novel include an expanded presence for supporting characters, such as Nick's bandmates in The Jerk-Offs, whose performance opens the film and underscores themes of friendship and identity within the queer-inclusive music scene. To achieve authenticity, the screenplay incorporated real elements of the New York indie music world, featuring licensed tracks from contemporary bands like and Bishop Allen on the soundtrack, which amplifies the novel's musical references into a live, immersive element. Peter Sollett was attached as director in 2006, following his debut feature , drawn to the source material's candid depiction of adolescent vulnerability and relational awkwardness amid the vibrancy of urban youth culture. Under , which handled distribution after initial development at , the project moved forward with Sollett collaborating on script refinements to maintain the book's emotional honesty while tailoring it for the screen.

Casting

Michael Cera was cast as Nick in 2007 by director shortly after the release of , in which Cera had demonstrated his ability to portray awkward yet endearing young characters. Producer Kerry Kohansky had initially suggested Cera based on his work in , but Sollett confirmed the choice after reviewing his emerging film roles, noting Cera's capacity to bring emotional depth to the heartbroken musician. Kat Dennings was selected as Norah following auditions that prioritized on-screen chemistry with Cera, with Sollett praising her naturalistic delivery and ability to convey vulnerability amid New York City's chaotic nightlife. Their pairing was seen as essential to the film's romantic authenticity, with Sollett stating, "We’re lucky because we really had the goods with the movie, with Michael and with Kat and the scenes they had together." For supporting roles, was cast as Caroline, Norah's best friend, leveraging her improvisational skills honed in theater and early work; she notably improvised key comedic scenes, such as her extended monologue at the . Casting director Joseph Middleton focused on actors with strong comedic timing for the ensemble, including as Thom and as Dev, to capture the quirky dynamics of the indie music scene. The film incorporated brief cameos from real indie figures to enhance its immersion in New York’s world, blurring the boundaries between fiction and the authentic scene. Devendra Banhart appeared as a deli customer, contributing to the soundtrack's vibe with his own track "Lover." Lorene Scafaria also cameo-ed as a drunk woman mistaking Nick's car for a cab, adding a meta layer to the production. Middleton prioritized New York-based talent for background and ensemble roles to ensure cultural and locational authenticity in crowd scenes.

Filming

Principal photography for Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist took place from October 29 to December 10, 2007, primarily in to capture the authentic energy of its nightlife. The production focused on Manhattan's East Village and neighborhoods, with additional scenes shot in , emphasizing the city's vibrant, music-driven underbelly. Key filming locations included the , which stood in for fictional indie music venues, bustling streets used for chase and pursuit sequences, and the real system, including Penn Station and , to ground the story in urban realism. Other notable spots were in the East Village and various bars and clubs, allowing the crew to integrate genuine nightlife elements without extensive set construction. The shoot presented logistical challenges inherent to nighttime production in a major , such as coordinating large groups of extras to simulate crowded scenes and navigating the unpredictable flow of and pedestrians. Some sequences adopted a guerrilla-style approach, relying on handheld cameras to achieve an intimate, documentary-like feel that mirrored the protagonists' spontaneous adventure, while minimizing disruptions in public spaces. Cinematographer Tom Richmond employed natural available lighting to enhance the moody, nocturnal atmosphere, complemented by shots for smoother, fluid movement through musical and dance sequences, contributing to the film's dynamic visual rhythm. In post-production, editor Myron Kerstein, working alongside director in late 2007, prioritized precise synchronization of the soundtrack with the narrative's emotional arcs, ensuring the music propelled the characters' evolving relationship.

Narrative and characters

Plot summary

Nick, a high school senior from and bassist in the band The Jerk-Offs, is reeling from his recent breakup with his girlfriend Tris, who has already moved on to a new boyfriend. On the night of a secret performance by the underground indie band Where's Fluffy?, Nick performs with his band at a venue, where Tris and her friends are in attendance; to make her jealous, he impulsively kisses Norah Silverberg, a fellow high school student and friend of Tris who is also at the show. Norah, who is grappling with her own tumultuous breakup with her ex-boyfriend Tal and avoiding his ongoing party, agrees to pretend to be Nick's girlfriend for the evening, leading the two strangers to embark on an impromptu quest through to locate Where's Fluffy?'s elusive show. Accompanied by Nick's quirky bandmates—devout Thom and the enthusiastic Dev—and Norah's bold friend Caroline, who becomes unintentionally separated after a night of drinking, their adventure unfolds over one sleepless night in 2008 , filled with humorous mishaps, scenes, and encounters with eccentric characters. As they navigate the city's vibrant , Nick and Norah attend various indie shows, stumble upon a wild party at Tal's loft where Norah confronts her ex, and search for Caroline after her escapades, gradually opening up about their personal vulnerabilities and insecurities related to love and identity. Their journey reveals parallels in their heartbreak and shared passion for music, fostering a genuine romantic connection amid the chaos of exes reappearing and unexpected detours, such as helping Caroline recover from her night out. The night culminates at dawn as Nick and Norah finally track down Where's Fluffy? for an intimate performance, where they share their first authentic , reconciling their past pains and embracing the possibility of a new beginning together.

Cast and roles

The film stars and as the titular characters, supported by a diverse ensemble portraying Nick's bandmates, Norah's friends, and romantic interests. The following table lists the principal cast members, their roles, and brief descriptions of the characters.
ActorRoleDescription
Michael CeraNickA shy, sensitive high school senior and bassist in the queercore band The Jerk Offs, who copes with heartbreak from his recent breakup by crafting personalized mixtapes.
Kat DenningsNorahA witty, independent teenager and daughter of a record producer, who uses her love of indie music to escape the tensions of her dysfunctional family life.
Aaron YooThomNick's loyal and enthusiastic bandmate in The Jerk-Offs, who provides comic relief and support during the group's chaotic night out in New York City.
Rafi GavronDevNick's bandmate and lead singer in the queercore band The Jerk-Offs, a gay character who adds humor and energy to the group's dynamics.
Ari GraynorCarolineNorah's dramatic and often intoxicated best friend, whose impulsive behavior leads to several of the night's misadventures.
Jay BaruchelTalNorah's manipulative ex-boyfriend and aspiring musician, whose lingering presence and party complicate her budding connection with Nick.
Alexis DzienaTrisNick's self-absorbed ex-girlfriend, whose dismissive attitude toward him underscores his emotional vulnerability at the story's start.
Zachary BoothGaryTris's new college boyfriend, who appears alongside her and contributes to confrontations during the night.

Release and reception

Premiere and distribution

The film had its world premiere at the on September 6, 2008. Columbia Pictures handled the wide theatrical release in the United States on October 3, 2008. The of America rated it PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language, and crude behavior. This rating accounted for mild sexual content, such as implied encounters and discussions of intimacy, along with references to drugs like marijuana and ecstasy, positioning the film to appeal primarily to a audience. The marketing strategy highlighted the film's ties to indie music culture, with trailers integrating songs from the soundtrack to evoke the story's nocturnal New York vibe. Posters focused on the on-screen rapport between and , portraying them in intimate, music-infused settings to underscore the romantic and youthful energy. A viral campaign promoted the fictional band Where's Fluffy? through online teasers mimicking secret shows, tying into the plot's central quest. Partnerships with featured the soundtrack album as a digital "mixtape," allowing early access to tracks and boosting pre-release buzz among music fans. Internationally, the film opened in the on January 30, 2009, distributed by . It saw staggered limited releases across , including on January 9, on March 18, and on February 19, and in , such as on December 11, 2008, extending through 2009.

Box office performance

The film was produced on a of $10 million. It opened in across 2,421 theaters on October 3, 2008, grossing $11.3 million over the weekend of October 3–5 and ranking third at the North American , behind Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Eagle Eye. Over its full theatrical run, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist earned $31.5 million in the United States and , $2.1 million in international markets, and a worldwide total of $33.5 million. In comparison to similar indie romantic comedies like Juno (2007), which grossed $143.5 million domestically on a $7.5 million , the film underperformed relative to the pre-release hype generated by its young cast, setting, and soundtrack, but it found success in niche urban markets. The film's box office performance benefited from strong word-of-mouth among youth demographics, particularly teens drawn to its themes of , romance, and . Its theatrical run extended into the holiday season, which helped sustain earnings and contribute to its overall profitability despite a modest initial turnout.

Critical response

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist received generally positive reviews from critics, earning a Tomatometer score of 74% on based on 184 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10. The site's consensus highlights the film's "pair of charming leads, a classic New York backdrop, and a sweet ," praising its authentic depiction of teen experiences in the city. On , it holds a score of 64 out of 100 from 32 critics, indicating mixed or average reviews, with 69% positive, 28% mixed, and 3% negative assessments. Critics frequently commended the chemistry between leads and , noting their endearing portrayals of awkward young romantics navigating a night in New York. awarded the film 2 out of 4 stars, appreciating its avoidance of typical teen comedy clichés while critiquing its lack of fresh ideas and meandering side plots, such as the search for a missing friend, which he found underdeveloped. described it as "bland" dramatically but refreshing for its sweetness, a quality often absent in teen films, and emphasized the scene's vibrant energy. Common themes in reviews included a celebration of indie culture, with the film serving as a "swooning missive to the indie-kid culture" through its focus on underground music venues and mix tapes. Critics also noted its sensitive handling of young sexuality, portraying intimate moments with a mix of humor and realism rather than exploitation, though some found the plot predictable. The movie drew comparisons to Garden State for its indie soundtrack and coming-of-age vibe centered on music and self-discovery. Audience reception was more enthusiastic, with a 65% approval rating on from over 50,000 user ratings, where viewers praised the relatable characters, soundtrack, and nostalgic NYC nightlife.

Accolades

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist garnered recognition from multiple awards organizations, primarily in categories highlighting its comedic elements, lead performances, and musical contributions. At the 13th in 2008, the film was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (), and Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (). The 2009 Teen Choice Awards honored the film with three nominations: Choice Movie Actor – Comedy (), Choice Movie Actress – Comedy (), and Choice Movie – Music/Dance. Additional nominations included the MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Performance – Female () and the for Outstanding Film – Wide Release, acknowledging its positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes. In the sound category, the film earned a for Best Sound Editing – Music in a Feature Film at the ' Golden Reel Awards. The recognized the project's musical aspects with one win and one in 2008, though specific categories focused on original score and song contributions. The film did not receive nominations from the Independent Spirit Awards, and its soundtrack was not nominated for . In 2018, it was screened at the as part of a on indie influences, with cast member in attendance.

Music and soundtrack

Original score

The original score for Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist was composed by , co-founder and former lead singer of the new wave band , whose extensive film scoring credits include collaborations with directors like and work on animated features such as Rugrats. Mothersbaugh's score blends and influences, characterized by twinkling electronic elements reminiscent of bands like , to underscore the film's emotional transitions and capture the restless energy of its young protagonists navigating a night in . Recorded in 2008 at , Mothersbaugh's Los Angeles-based production studio, the score was crafted in close collaboration with director to ensure it complemented rather than overshadowed the dialogue and the film's prominent diegetic music elements. Unlike the licensed songs that drive many scenes through in-story performances, the non-diegetic original score primarily establishes mood and tension, appearing in approximately 20% of the runtime to highlight key moments like heartbreak and budding romance. Technically, the score was mixed in Dolby Digital, with an emphasis on low-end frequencies to amplify bass-heavy sequences that mirror the indie rock aesthetic of Nick's band.

Soundtrack album

The Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a compilation album released on September 23, 2008, by Atlantic Records. It features 16 tracks (19 on the deluxe edition) primarily consisting of indie rock and alternative songs that capture the film's New York City nightlife and youthful romance themes. Key artists include Vampire Weekend with "Ottoman," The Submarines' "Xavia," The National's "Our Nothing Days," Beirut's "Elephant Gun," and We Are Scientists' "After Hours," alongside contributions from Devendra Banhart, Band of Horses, and Bishop Allen. The soundtrack was curated by director , along with editor Myron Kerstein and music supervisor Linda Cohen to reflect the story's central motif, where Nick creates personalized playlists for his ex-girlfriend. It includes the original song "Screw the Man" performed by the fictional band The Jerk-Offs, comprising cast members , , and , which underscores the band's raw, energetic live performances in the film. Standout tracks like Beirut's "" accompany intimate romantic moments, while ' "After Hours" energizes the narrative's high-spirited club scenes. The album achieved commercial success, debuting at number 3 and peaking at number 2 on the Top Soundtracks chart in late 2008. Its packaging includes written by Sollett in August 2008, which tie into the plot's emphasis on music as a connective emotional thread between characters. In 2023, Real Gone Music released a vinyl edition of the .

Home media and legacy

Home video releases

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on February 3, 2009, by . The two-disc DVD features an audio commentary track with director and screenwriter , approximately 40 deleted scenes, and a making-of featurette highlighting the shoots. The Blu-ray edition includes the same supplements, plus BD-Live functionality and enhanced audio with to better showcase the film's soundtrack. Digital purchase and rental options became available on and in 2009. The film has streamed on during the , including a prominent addition to the service in March 2019. International variants include region-specific Blu-ray and DVD editions with in multiple languages, such as PAL Region 4 for and region-free imports.

Cultural impact

The film's soundtrack significantly elevated the visibility of indie music to broader audiences during the late 2000s, showcasing tracks from up-and-coming acts like , , and , which helped bridge underground scenes with mainstream teen cinema. This curation not only captured the vibrant energy of New York City's nightlife but also influenced the integration of eclectic indie soundtracks in subsequent youth-oriented films and the burgeoning culture of the . In terms of representation, the movie received acclaim for its nuanced depiction of diverse , particularly through the character of Thom—a gay Asian American friend portrayed without reliance on stereotypes or comedic tropes, treating his identity as a natural aspect of the ensemble rather than a . This approach contributed to more authentic portrayals of queer undertones in YA media, paving the way for inclusive narratives in later works like the 2019 film . The film's enduring legacy is evident in retrospective celebrations, including the 2023 vinyl reissue of its soundtrack to mark the 15th anniversary, which underscored its role as a touchstone for mixtape and playlist culture amid the shift to digital streaming. Fan-driven discussions, such as podcasts exploring its themes of nostalgia and music discovery, have further analyzed how it reflects evolving youth experiences in the digital age. Scholars have examined the movie's contributions to indie cinema, highlighting its amplification of girl culture through music and , as well as its place in broader conversations about identity and in adolescent narratives. Overall, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist endures as a favorite, evoking millennial and inspiring renewed interest via streaming platforms and rewatches in the 2020s.

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