Review: "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist"

The most striking thing about Nick and Norah, from a gay visibility perspective, is that the gay characters are just ... well, they're just "there". They're not saddled with a coming out story or gay bashing or anything, and they aren't "outed" in the last reel as a punchline or "gotcha!" moment. But perhaps even more significantly, there's zero friction or even awkwardness between them and the other main characters.

In fact, the obvious affection that Nick, Thom and Dev have for one another is incredibly charming. When we meet Dev's new love interest, for example, Dev snags Nick and asks him to find out what the devilishly cute fella's name is, and Nick does so without any concern with anyone mistaking him for gay.

And later, after the evening has led them to a gay bar where the drag act The Nellie Olsons are performing, when a handsome gay guy gives Nick a wink he simply smiles and nods in return.

It's beyond reassuring to see a teen comedy where gay panic is not even a consideration, even as a joke. These characters clearly don't see anything wrong with themselves or with their friends being gay, and they have zero patience for anyone who does (as evidenced when Norah's slimy ex-boyfriend stresses the "gay" in "gay band" and Nick doesn't take the bait).

There are no backhanded insults or talking down to anyone, or any fear that being with the gay guys is a threat to one's manhood, reputation, or own sexuality. It may seriously be the first truly "post-gay" straight romance movie.

Gavron, Cera, Wright, and Yoo with Dennings

There's a beautiful scene in the middle of the film where Thom, seeing that Nick has let Norah get away, sits him down on the back bumper of their dilapidated van and tells him about the simple beauty of holding someone's hand, and about the importance of honoring how special those small moments are.

As he explains his thoughts (which, being that this movie is all about music, of course involves the Beatles' first big hit, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"), he takes Nick's hand and the two friends share a quiet, intimate moment.

Just then a lesbian couple walks by the van holding hands, and they smile and nod at this straight man and his gay friend holding hands, clearly sharing a moment, and the guys smile back. It's a beautiful moment of suspended fears and shared understanding, and it's not punctuated by a "Eeeew!" or by Nick pulling his hand away in disgust that someone thinks he's gay or anything. These characters are leagues more mature and enlightened than your standard movie teens, and this maturity lends the film many of its most magical points.

And it's also worth noting that, although their love story isn't central, Dev's budding romance with his "Hunky Guy" is followed throughout the story as well, giving the guys a chance to dance together, snuggle, and get to know each other more at each turn.

To be honest, I'd love to see a sequel or spinoff that followed Thom, Dev, and Lothario (yes, that's Hunky's name) on their own adventures with their ill-named band and put Nick and Norah in the backseat. But as it is, we've got three gay characters in the central group, which is pretty impressive odds for a straight teen romance.