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Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Both the book and the movie made me squee like a school girl. Which is to say: this is not my most dignified moment ever. Come to think of it, my other moments aren’t bursting at the seams with dignity either. But there’s certainly a graduated scale. For instance, it’s rare for librarians to guffaw and call other librarians over to point at me when I check out my snooty literature. Today however… I am not joking. Today I was mocked by librarians.

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, the movie, lacks the depth of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, the book. I don’t think this is terribly surprising to anyone, given the general state of book adaptations. (Also, have you noticed that the title is very fun to say? Go ahead. Out loud, please.) Tris, the evil wench of the movie, is a more textured evil wench in the book, who manages to give some morally unsound but plot driving advice to both Nick and Norah. Caroline is almost a non-player in the book, and the other members of Nick’s unnameable band (except Dev, who has a heavier speaking role) are barely present. Tal, Norah’s controlling serial ex-boyfriend, is equally important in the book as the movie, in terms of character motivation, but he’s a more visible character in the movie.

The treasure hunt aspect of the movie is most of what makes it endearing, as well as Michael Cera living out my hipster fantasy life goals, mostly in the form of bemused repartee, but the romance between Nick and Norah eclipses everything else in the book. Pursuing “Where’s Fluffy?” is such as strong aspect of the movie because it gives us intimate knowledge of the texture of the New York City music scene; at least, the texture the director wants us to feel. The NYC of the book felt closer, more intimate; possibly because I’ve never been to NYC, and I was picturing the characters in the cities where I have been. Still, it’s a good adaptation. Neither too close to the source material, nor ignoring it. Good job.

Both works have that pop-buddhist, new-agey feel. It’s fairly trendy to live “in the now,” and practically worship spontaneity and all that brings. I like that, but feel the need to balance it. Even so, Nick & Norah’s “the mosh pit doesn’t lie” mantra resonated at some level with me. And I’m a fan of anything that pulls me toward less irony and less self consciousness.

The book, more than the movie, makes me want. The movie inspired me to make mixes (of poetry, not music, manifested in the ever forthcoming mix zine Bricabrac), but the book has inspired me to write. Immediately after reading Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist I had an irresistible compulsion to write personal, intimate, immediate poetry; spray-paint and smuggled sharpie poetry in public places; vigilante, joyous poetry written for, to, and about specific people; full of honesty and the right words.  No safe poems here.

And I finished the book a half hour ago, so I’m off to do that.

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