Here's the thing: in 2008, this felt fresh—Michael Cera doing his awkward thing, indie music as identity, one magical night in New York. In 2025? It's a time capsule that hasn't aged particularly well.
The core romance has some sweet moments of vulnerability and connection, but it's wrapped in a lot of teen drinking, sexual content, and humor that parents might not expect from what looks like a quirky rom-com. One character spends half the movie blackout drunk, leading to some truly gross moments that aren't exactly enriching.
The bigger issue is watchability. The iPod references, the specific mid-2000s indie aesthetic, the flip phones—it all feels very "of its time." Modern teens are more likely to find it dated than charming. The 6.6 IMDb and middling audience scores suggest even at the time it was just... fine.
If you've got a 16-year-old who's into music history or nostalgic aesthetics, maybe. But for most families, there are better teen romance options that offer similar themes without the heavy drinking and with more modern relevance.