"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" -- Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Aaron Yoo

Someone was trying to copy the success of Juno. They probably haven't done it, but they've made a perfectly enjoyable movie in the attempt. The way I actually described it to the friend I was seeing it with was "like Juno, except they're basically our age (college freshmen) instead of juniors in high school." One thing that threw me off was that the characters seem to be in high school but behave like they're at least 21, walking into and out of clubs and drinking like it's nothing. I didn't quite expect the mad rabbit-hole chase the movie gave (watch the gum) but it worked within the context and provided much of the film's momentum.

There were no truly glaring weaknesses, although a few emerge when you start thinking much about it. It's mostly errors of fact or realism that the film takes in stride and that don't often distract. A lot of the performances had the potential to fall into cliches, but most of them avoid the trap well. It more or less follows "teen romantic comedy" formula, but stays original in all the right ways.

Michael Cera is playing the same character he's been doing since Arrested Development, but he's getting better at it, more and more nuanced with each role. Kat Dennings is brilliant (and smoking hot) as always. Norah had a lot of potential to become one of several cliches -- poor little rich girl, the beautiful but insecure girl, or even a bitch bent on showing up a "frenemy" -- but Dennings avoids all of these deftly, delivering a believable and sympathetic performance that resonates with the audience. When she hurts, we hurt too, and when she's happy, we want to jump up and cheer. Ari Graynor is the standout as the drunk mess the leads spend most of the movie chasing after and caring for, providing a lot of the film's comic relief and committing completely to her role. It would have worked with less but it shines here. Aaron Yoo and Rafi Gavron give good performances as Nick's queercore bandmates Thom and Dev, and the rest of the small parts are at least adequate.

This movie may be nearly impenetrable to small children and older adults, and may be so to anyone who hasn't experienced the New York nightlife or an indie music scene, somewhere. But the initiated and slightly initiated will enjoy it. Not really necessary to see it in the theater, but if you don't, buy it on DVD.

Best Line: "Trust me, honey, Nick is worth the underwire."
Best Performance: Tie. Ari Graynor as the drunk mess friend or Kat Dennings as Norah, the female lead
Best Moment: It's near the end. Nick and Norah in the studio. Norah squeaks -- you'll know it when you see it.