Review of Paper Heart (2009) by Ryan R — 01 Feb 2010

This movie is somewhat of an anomaly. It's half-documentary and half fictional dramedy. And in that lies its strengths and its weaknesses. As a documentary about love and what it means to different people it really shines.

But the relationship between Charlyne Yi and Michael Cera isn't real. This ordinarily wouldn't be a problem in a movie that's completely fiction but since this is shot as a documentary something seems forced about the scenes with Charlyne and Michael because you know they're acting.

But despite that, the two of them do have some great lines. The way the movie's shot is almost too "documentary-style" with it's jerky camera angles. Charlyne's weird Mr. Bill-like "cartoons" made with paper cutouts and such are a nice, unique touch.

It's a cute and quirky movie but sometimes it's a little too on the nose about that. Telling instead of showing so to speak. Definitely worth a watch though.