Une Nuit à New York

Une Nuit à New York (sortie le 18 mars 2009)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)


Veni Vidi Amavi... No further comment needed.

... Or maybe some. But firt, here is the synopsis as found on Allmovie:
Michael Cera and Kat Dennings star as two lonesome teens who make a love connection as they prowl the streets of New York looking for their favorite band's secret show, as well as for their drunk friend Caroline. Norah is sick of being the doormat for her catty friend Tris, so rather than look like she's arrived at yet another concert without her unreliable ex-boyfriend-with-benefits Tal, she grabs a stranger and pretends he's her date. Unfortunately, that stranger is Nick -- whom Tris just dumped. Oddly enough, though, Nick and Norah seem to have a real connection. But is Nick still too hung up on the princess? The only way to find out is to spend all night combing Manhattan in a yellow Yugo.

Ok... First thought after reading this: teen movie??!! L no!!!
Well... Yes and No.
Such synopsis does NOT give credit to this movie. It definitey does not fall under the average teen movie categorie. Yes indeed, these characters are young high school/undergraduates but it is not a 90210-turned-into-big-screen movie.

While completey freak out to go and watch this film (will it be a romance Twilight style where I would not understand the interest of the characters (actors) because I don't fall in the targeted audience - 14/16 yo?), I felt completely the opposite afterwards. I exited the screening room with a huge smile. Why? Because this movie was so worth it. Ok it such a cliché,completely L'Oreal and pointless to say, n'est-ce pas?! Sorry, I can't help it!

Well, let me explain.
First, I must say, for once, both the original title and the French one do represent the movie. I would even dare saying that the Fench title totally gets the film... Gasp. Truely shocking indeed!
It is definitely une nuit à New York. The excuse for getting the movie started and the characters brought together is their search for the location of that night performance of the band Where's Fluffy.

We watch them embarking on that ride through hip and happening New York City hoods, united in their dual search for the band and Norah's friend, Caroline (who got completely wasted and lost). They are portraying New Yorker youth experiencing a "night in the town": small concert halls, nightclub, 24h grocery store, hot dog stands, 24h deli, "it's still early. It is only 4am"! Take that in your face you old 25+y.o.!!!
They offer a wide range of slang and colourful expressions: "mo", "fistful of assholes", "bridge and tunnel"... Oh yes because they are really exploring NYC, as in "not only Manhattan NYC", but also Brooklyn for instance. References are made to Newark, Englewood (NJ peeps do commute a lot to study or work in NYC)... The ultimate reference to the Big Apple as a joint of "intra muros" and commuters communities, is the ultimate scene location at Penn station; Pennsylvania station being a major rail station and commute hub (Go wiki peeps!!!).

After NYC by night, the movie other standout is the music. The track selection is eclectic, educational (never heard of most of the bands; except for the Spice Girls or Billy Joel). Each location/scene/action is the occasion of a sort of Wine tasting: we are introduced to the finest underground/hip and coming New Yorker bands (and sometimes weirdest; e.g. cameo as fictitious band Are You Randy by Project Jenny, Project Jan playing Negative). Music in the background, music at the center of the plot (where is Where is Fluffy?), music at the center of the characters' stories (Nick and his band, Nick fine taste in music, Norah's father career, everyone obsession with Where is Fluffy...). Music brings everyone together (Ok, I admit this is my cheesiest comment so far... but music does really bring characters together in the movie. Sorry).

The plot presents the arch of any teen movies: insecurity about look, sentimental relationships, how to affirm oneself, trust issue... Except maybe for the bimbo character, Tris, characters are not stereotyped. Nick is not over insecure or tortured (Zach Braff style; even though the movie begins with a pathetic phone message he's leaving to his ex-girlfriend who broke up with him on his B'D...). The characters of the gays don't fall under "mainstream media" usual picturisation of gays: they are neither Jack from Will and Grace or any character from Queer as Folk, which is refresing or at least nice for a change...

And last but not least, they are DRIVING!!! No cab or subways (in fact you are guessing the use of each once, but you don't actually see any character in these means of transportation). I think the driving permits to better visually explore NYC by night. Plus it reinforces two aspects of the movie: a) the freedom of these teenagers, b) the exploration aspect of the two main characters (it's a road movie!).

To conclude, it was a truly nice movie to watch. But if you don't feel like watching it, at least explore its playlist. Truly wonderful (you can pass on the Spice Girls and Billy Joel, totally mainstream and not really exciting).
Some of my favorite tracks are: You sexy thing (Hot Chocolate), Negative (Project Jenny, Project Jan), Insistor (Tapes'n Tapes), How to Say Goodbye (Paul Tiernan), Our swords (Band of Horses)...

Cast
Kat Dennings (Norah) acted in an episode of SATC (Season 3, Hot Child in the City)
Rafi Gavron (Dev) appeared in Jude Law's movie Breaking and Entering (really nice movie with Jude Law and Julienne Binoche)
For US series afficionados, Michael Cera (Nick) was a member of the cast of Arrested Development
Ari Graynor (Caroline) is amazing in the rail station scene (particularly the scene in the toilet)


Some critic reviews (both good and bad)
http://www.spin.com/blog/who-could-fall-love-these-songs
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/445313/Nick-Norah-s-Infinite-Playlist/overview
http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/nick_and_norahs_infinite_playlist/



Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - Soundtracks list
1. Speed of Sound - Chris Bell
2. Lover -Devendra Banhart
3. William Tell Overture - Albert Fox
4. Screw the Man - The Jerk Offs
5. Twilight - The Raveonettes
6. You don't have to say you ove me - Dusty Springfield
7. Xavia - The Submarines
8. Middle Management - Bishop Allen
9. Fever - Takka Takka
10. Sonido Total - The Pinker Tones
11. Our Swords - Band of Horses
12. Snoopy - The Playboys
13. Go deep - Mark Mothersbaugh and Silas Hite
14. Boys don't cry - John Enroth
15. All the Wine - The National
16. Insistor - Tapes'n Tapes
17. Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
18. Wannabe - Spice Girls
19. After Hours - We are Scientists
20. Negative - Project Jenny, Project Jan
21. Kennedy - Ratatat
22. Very Loud - Shout Out Louds
23. Where There's a Will, There's a Whalebone - Islands
24. Why - Colin Kiddy
25. Slight of Hand - Army Navy
26. Trust Your Stomach - Marching Band
27. 12 Gays of Christmas - John Cantwell
28. Baby You're My Light - Richard Hawley
29. Karate - Kennedy
30. Little Motel - Modest House
31. You Sexy Thing - Hot Chocolate
32. Riot Radio - The Dead 60s
33. Silvery Seds - Army Navy
34. How to Say Goodbye - Paul Tiernan
35. Last words - The Real Tuesday Weld
36. Ottoman - Vampire Weekend
37. Electro-Socket Blues - Rogue Wave