Paper Heart (2009)

Paper Heart is a semi-fictional film that follows Charlyne Yi who doesn't believe in love, or so she thought. At the least, she does not believe in a Hollywood romance ending type of love or that of a fairy-tale. But it is clear that love is something she really wants but she remains a skeptic. This is until she meets Mike (Michael Cera) and falls in love with him whilst making a documentary about love with director Nicholas Jasenovec (Jake Johnson) They both search for answers to the question "Does true love really exist?" They ask, a romance novelist, children, judges, couples, strangers, scientists and bikers who share their true love stories.Charlyne is at first skeptical of her love for Michael, we see their relationship unfold on camera, her skepticism and search for the answer puts their relationship at jeopardy, however she soon realizes the answer lies within her own heart.It's a very cute, humorous and sweet documentary-style film that supports the notion of true love, although presents love and relationships as being tricky and that they require a lot of work. The message is that love is sometimes simple but relationships need work and to be built upon for that love to truly blossom. The ending concludes nicely with Charlyene concluding on love; she says that love is about risk taking, if you don't take the risks, you can miss out on it. It is clear all throughout the film she took risks, by going out with Michael although she believed he did not have interest in her and more importantly by Going to Michael's house in Toronto and by doing so she rekindles their love.Scenes in the film are done with paper to show the stories of the couples who are in love,it ends with an exaggerated version of Michael and Charlyene's giving it the Hollywood romance ending she first rejected. This film shows the beauty of love and will truly melt your heart.

Awful! However I have to admit that I only watched about 10 minutes of it and it's possible it got better. Maybe it's for children or they figure our society is so ignorant they might just enjoy it. There was something about the scripted-ness of the opening scene that was so tedious I was blushing with embarrassment for the film-makers. I really tried to watch but I was hurting myself by slapping my forehead and cheeks so hard while wincing with disgust. Fortunately I had other films to watch. My girlfriend didn't want to watch it either (thank you)! If you know the story of the Emperor's New Clothes it seems to apply here. Maybe there were too many enthusiastic relatives used as a test audience. I consider it damaging to other mock-umentary films. This brings the whole genre down a notch.

If this was all made up and acted then it was brilliant, if it was 98% true with the prodding of a film crew, then it was still brilliant.On the face of it this is a documentary about Charlyne Yi and her friend Nick the filmmaker going on a road trip to learn about love.The only thing forced seemed to be the director who is acted by Jake M. Johnson. Everyone else "plays" themselves. What he does and says is consistent with the premise as presented. It is understandable that he would put his friends who happen to be more famous into this movie to get it noticed. Plus all those more famous people she runs into are also warm, funny and disarming guys. It makes sense that he as her friend would want her to meet these people since he obviously cares a great deal for her and he can feel that she is not cold, merely reserved and stubborn. Every moment between the people we see on screen seem to be genuine with Yi being a bit of an eccentric person but obviously warm and intelligent.I can understand the production company prodding the director and the director wanting to do things for his own vision which would explain some of the more forced moments with him on-screen. It can sometimes feel like him and Cera are friends who probably spoke to each other at some point in the days in-between the segments we see. I feel that there is an emotionally logical reason for all the moments in the film.Cera often plays awkward people but I have never seen him so actually nervous as he is in some moments with Yi when they are starting to get to know each other better. Likewise his goofy and relaxed moments come out when it makes sense in their growing friendship.Yi is similarly natural as someone who appears to be very reserved and who is revolting against the female stereotypes she saw growing up. She is visibly upset when she speaks of the romantic notion as being part of the female stereotype. Tellingly her family and friends all say she is loving but would never admit to knowing love. This is consistent with someone who is intelligent and sees how hard the female stereotype gets pushed at her and everyone else and has a strong reaction to that. She speaks to different people on a road trip documentary which has various effects on her which can be very telling and always natural to who she seems to be. She starts to be more open about her feelings as she gets to know Cera better. And what happens between them makes perfect sense as far as what we can glean.There are so many beautiful and poignant moments on screen amongst some nervous people in the somewhat forced situation a documentary entails.I am obviously leaning towards this being almost completely real and I find it very natural and consistent throughout. If it was made up, these people are all amazing. I really feel that there are emotionally logical reasons that could explain what we see in this film.-Karl

Charlyne Yi, star of the faux-documentary, PAPER HEART, takes a most controversial stand on The Cosmology of Love. Not only has she never been in love, but she doesn't feel that it will ever happen to her because True Love might not even exist. And, after a random series of interviews and events, she creates a very strong defense for her position. While watching the film you are constrained to consider how silly and weak are the reasons and justifications that most people seem to have for their 'True Love'. The folks that were interviewed didn't seem to have any more valid cause to believe in 'True Love' than a six year old has a factual basis for a belief in Santa Clause. They all seemed to describe a 'wondrous experience', but I couldn't help thinking that it could also be seen as a 'delightful delusion'. PAPER HEART seems to demonstrate that most of what we suppose is 'True Love' is nothing more than heartfelt wishes which change into conviction over time. As one partner related how she first became aware of her love for her husband, I thought it was most revealing to watch closely the expression on her partner's face as her tale unfolded. Throughout most of the exchange, his expression seemed disconcerting at best. PAPER HEART is a small, light, and engaging film, and Charlyne Yi has more than enough charm to pull off the premise, but after the film ended, it left me with the feeling that maybe Arranged Marriages were not such a bad idea. And, maybe she does too.