Paper Heart (2009)

Simply Perfect

Powerful

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

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

I didn't know what to expect when I sat down to enjoy this movie, but it sure wouldn't have been what I got. There are 3 actors in this movie, written and made by the three actors, and all the rest are "himself" or "herself", where real couples talk about their own definitions of what love is."Will I ever find love" is the theme, and Charlyne Yi as herself sets out to answer that question. The film is done in "mockumentary" style, and the "chance meeting" of Michael Sera is really part of the script.Michael Cera, actor, is Michael Cera. He begins to take an interest in Charlyne (pronounced Charlene) and as they begin to get more comfortable with each other the camera and director of the "documantary" follow them around.Jake M. Johnson actually plays a role, as Nicholas Jasenovec who in reality is the director of this film.All in all I found it interesting, but in the end an unfulfilling "movie" experience. On DVD.

As you may have noticed with all the comments, this movie might be mediocre, terrible, great, or some weird combo. I'm one of those who think this was a great movie, but I hope to explain the discrepancies.First, let's get my biases out of the way, so that you can judge my comment accordingly. I am a Michael Cera fan. I am an indie movie fan, but not an aficionado. I wanted to see this movie. I'm a young guy who likes some romantic movies, but they have to be rather good. I didn't know anything about this movie aside from what the trailer tells me. I think that does it.A lot of the comments on IMDb about this movie center around the format. I agree that the style is important to talk about, but not the only thing. The style is documentary, but with certain deviating aspects. It isn't Blair Witch Project; it has decent editing and lighting. The angle is natural, all from a guy or three carrying cameras. Certain scenes are done in paper cutouts in paper scenery and wires for movement. These are usually the scenes that they didn't catch on camera and are important to the plot. These scenes are really charming because of their scale and their construction.The "acting" is also good. The most controversial aspect of this movie is the content, or the plot. Some think that this movie is either simply an observation of life or a movie about an observation of life. Either real or reel, some might say. I tend towards some middle ground. I think that this movie is a documentary about real life including a documentary about real life. There are staged things and things that look really genuine, so I think that it's more of an embellished real story. The cynic in me thinks that a lot of it is fake, but they did a really convincing job so I hope its all real.If you are an optimist, this story will be really cute and lovable. If you believe it to be faked, it's a bad movie. That is why I think it is mostly genuine, if not completely. If this was produced in any really directed way, it would not have included some things in it that it did. But then again, they could have included it to make you think that. Whether you're paranoid about that sort of thing is beside the point. This movie feels very real. I know some of my dates were almost exactly like some in this movie. Charlyne is believable and so is Michael Cera.Michael Cera plays a really cool guy with a cute awkward disposition. If you're a fan of Michael Cera, you'll recognize his characteristic style, but now I believe that style to be more of just how he is instead of an acting style. Regardless, he's endearing. Charlyne is also really lovable because she's funny and easily embarrassed. The two are quite genuine and work really well together because of their similar personalities.Overall, a cute and lovable movie. The ending is unsatisfactory, but that's because there is no end that would fit the story and remain truthful to real life.

Charlene Yi a writer & comic actress co-wrote this documentary style film on the meaning of love.Nicholas Jasenovic directed & is the other co-writer.It had a short run on about 50 screens late summer 2009.Seeing it on DVD this evening, I did enjoy it BUT would have been disappointed if I saw it in a 'multi-plex'. Years back films of this nature would have been on the lower half of a double bill or had Vaudeville skits with it.It is nice & pleasant,. she travels around the country asking various peoples if they have ever found true love.Micheal Cera a promising new actor is featured as himself, he & Charlene did have a romance during the filming. The 2 of them wrote much of the music, it too is pleasant. Very good camera work & nice setting.This is a worthwhile minor rental. You may not love it BUT you definitely wont hate itRatings: *** (out of 4) 81 points out of 100) IMDb 7 (out of 10)