So I may be a day late, but sometimes exceptions must be made. Stinkylulu's best supporting actress blogathon has a nice variety of supporting actresses on its shortlist, but there is one glaring omission that must make its way onto it:Ari Graynor as Caroline in Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.
Now, why in the world would this young actress, rising up with appearances in film, stage, and television, be such a glaring cut from a list of memorable supporting actress turns?Obviously, whoever asks this question has failed to see the fall gem of a teen romance, headlined by Michael Cera (Juno) and Kat Dennings (Charlie Bartlett). But it's the role of Caroline, Norah's longtime pal and alcoholic lightweight that steals every scene of the movie that she appears in. In fact, her portrayal of high-school intoxication is worthy of accolades, to say the least.
But what does she do? Graynor provides belly laughs in an already funny comedy: her fears of being taken advantage of raped by a crew of harmless gay boys, a scene that could've been written or portrayed poorly, is instead worthy of cracking a smile. Her slow, slurred longing to be consoled by Norah comes off as charming rather than annoying. And who didn't cringe during the scene where she fishes her gum out of her vomit? You can't help but love her, and you can't resist anything but to sit back and experience the ride of a horrible hang-over with her. In all aspects, Graynor has taken the all-too-played drunk girl and raised the bar to the next level of spot-on perfection.
Give this girl a turkey sandwich! And the recognition that she deserves.
