'Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist' worth the trip

Nick and Norah have the kind of night every suburban teenager dreams of. Along with their friends, they wander around New York in search of entertainment and along the way find a plethora of adventure, much-needed closure and, ultimately, love.

"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," the film adaptation of a short novel by the same name, is the story of Nick (Michael Cera), a timid high school senior suffering a broken heart at the hands of the vindictive Tris (Alexis Dziena) and Norah (Kat Dennings) an insightful, sarcastic girl.

The guitar player (and only straight member) of local band "The Jerkoffs," Nick agrees to abandon his self-pity for one night to play a gig. Norah, the daughter of a well-known music producer and classmate of Tris, agrees to play caretaker for her wild best friend, Caroline (Ari Graynor), after a night of going from club to club. A diabolical plan devised by Nick's friends drives him straight into the arms of Norah when they meet at the club where Nick's band plays. The two set off in search of the elusive band "Where's Fluffy?", a group that spontaneously plays shows in unannounced venues. It turns into a scavenger hunt that leads the two teens all over the city, dealing with drunken friends and dodging manipulative exes along the way.

"Nick and Norah" is cleverly written, perfectly cast and surprisingly insightful. It falls somewhere between the category of romantic comedy and indie cult.

While Michael Cera's signature offbeat brand of awkward/cute is more apparent than ever in "Nick and Norah," it is the performance of Kat Dennings that gave this movie its charisma. Not only is Dennings funny, but her intelligence and slightly cynical view make her an icon for girls itching to get out of high school and make a name for themselves.

As Caroline, Ari Graynor flawlessly portrayed a drunken teenage girl without seeming goofy, a task that is not easily accomplished.

The best thing about "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" is its cultural accuracy. It plays up the dingy clubs and hole-in-the-wall diners that make New York what it is, and it depends heavily on often overlooked music that drives the hipster music scene.

Although the plot was slightly less than original, the characters and vivid setting make "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" worth seeing.

Rheagan Butler is a student at Central High School.