Release Date:
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Directed by: Peter Sollett
The Skinny: Nick (Michael Cera) is an awkward (what part of "Michael Cera" did you not understand?) teen musician from Jersey suffering through a recent breakup with a prep school harpy (Alexis Dziena). While out in the big city with his gay bandmates, he runs into Norah (Kat Dennings), a fellow social misfit, and they set out in search of a secret show by their favorite band, Where's Fluffy? Misadventures, and a hip soundtrack ensue.
The Good: Despite aiming for a specific audience that renders its appeal limited, the movie does have some genuinely funny moments. While this is certainly not the movie in which Cera shows he can do more than be awkwardly endearing, there's no denying he's the best there is at what he does. He's matched by Dennings, who is convincing in every way. The movie is pretty saccharine to be sure, but it isn't insulting, and its underlying sweetness is ultimately kind of infectious.
The Bad: Again, this is a limited-appeal movie. If you're of a certain age, this is your Say Anything (mixed with a friendlier After Hours). If you haven't stayed up all night club hopping since you wore rave pants and listened to Prodigy, you may feel out of sync.
Youth Gone Mild: What does it say about Michael Cera's wussiness that his nemesis, Norah's "tough" ex-boyfriend, is played by Jay Baruchel?
Theater, DVD, or TNT in Five Years? Rent it, you nostalgic old fart.
The Skinny: Nick (Michael Cera) is an awkward (what part of "Michael Cera" did you not understand?) teen musician from Jersey suffering through a recent breakup with a prep school harpy (Alexis Dziena). While out in the big city with his gay bandmates, he runs into Norah (Kat Dennings), a fellow social misfit, and they set out in search of a secret show by their favorite band, Where's Fluffy? Misadventures, and a hip soundtrack ensue.
The Good: Despite aiming for a specific audience that renders its appeal limited, the movie does have some genuinely funny moments. While this is certainly not the movie in which Cera shows he can do more than be awkwardly endearing, there's no denying he's the best there is at what he does. He's matched by Dennings, who is convincing in every way. The movie is pretty saccharine to be sure, but it isn't insulting, and its underlying sweetness is ultimately kind of infectious.
The Bad: Again, this is a limited-appeal movie. If you're of a certain age, this is your Say Anything (mixed with a friendlier After Hours). If you haven't stayed up all night club hopping since you wore rave pants and listened to Prodigy, you may feel out of sync.
Youth Gone Mild: What does it say about Michael Cera's wussiness that his nemesis, Norah's "tough" ex-boyfriend, is played by Jay Baruchel?
Theater, DVD, or TNT in Five Years? Rent it, you nostalgic old fart.