The Missus and I went to go see Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist tonight, and the Missus had the best take on it, which is that it was really a movie about NYC — like it was a postcard. For us, it was seeing all the places we go. (“Look! There’s our exit on the BQE!”)
Contributing to that is the fact that the characters were . . . dull. Like, you wouldn’t want to hang out with them. The Missus remarked that she wanted to see more witty conversation. And, I have to think that if these characters didn’t spend all their time gallivanting around New York and were trapped in the suburbs, they would have to become witty to entertain themselves.
So the movie was a tour of clubs/bars/diners in New York. For me (for the sake of the blog) it was mostly about nostalgia. Here’s the list with the memories that crossed my mind as I was watching the movie:
- Arlene’s Grocery: When Pops first performed with Sexy Grandpa, I missed this show here because I didn’t have a valid ID. I had been robbed the week before. (Say, how did teenage Nick and Nora get in here?)
- Bowery Ballroom: Best show I ever saw here was Magnetic Fields in 2000. Also, The Hold Steady around 2006 and Laura Cantrell around 2002-3 were top contenders.
- Union Pool (called “Brooklyn Pool” in the movie): Never saw a show here, but once took terrible pictures of the Missus’s friends when we were out drinking. Also, you can see our stop on the BQE from here.
- Crash Mansion: I never took a course with Adjunct Professor Jeremy Kagan when I was at b-school, but he won’t stop emailing me. He promotes this place.
- Velselka: I remembered waiting in line for brunch here in 1999, before they remodeled it. I like it better now.
- Grace Church: I have never gone in here, but I remembered that this was where David Duchovny and Tea Leoni got married. They’re divorced now.
- Waverly (exterior): I haven’t eaten here since 1999.
- Mercury Lounge: mentioned, not seen. I’m usually here watching Jennifer O’Connor.
All in all, I missed Asta.
One Comment
Aw, I found this movie cute, sort of like how I found Zack & Miri cute. But I agree with L — I would’ve liked more dialogue (Before Sunrise style) and the book it’s based on has more of that (but is also way more emo so I’m glad a lot of that was jettisoned).