I had high hopes for Paper Heart.

Maybe because Charlyne Yi is part of the Judd Apatow crew. Maybe because of Michael Cera’s involvement. I just know I was intrigued by the idea this hybrid documentary.

After watching this film, my 8 year old nephew actually summed it up best:

“Paper Heart? More like Paper Fart!” [ed. note - This conversation never actually happened.]

The film follows Charlyne Yi as she embarks on a quest across America to make a documentary about the one and only subject she doesn’t fully understand: love. As she and her good friend (and director) Nick search for answers and advice about love, Charlyne talks with friends, strangers, scientists, bikers, romance novelists, and children. They each offer diverse views on modern romance, as well as various answers to the age-old question: does true love really exist?

And then the scripted hybrid part:

Shortly after filming begins, Charlyne meets a boy after her own heart: Michael Cera. As their relationship develops on camera, her pursuit to discover the nature of love takes on a fresh new urgency. Charlyne doesn’t want to risk losing the person she finds closest to her heart.

Quite simply, this film is too aware of its cuteness and quirkiness. You’re supposed to be enthralled by the awkward, tomboy act from Yi. It grew tiresome 10 minutes into the film. It’s a self-conscious semi-documentary about a self-conscious girl. And without sincerity in a documentary, why should you care?

The director in the film is actually an actor playing a director. Michael Cera is playing Michael Cera (doesn’t he always). Cera and Yi were supposedly really dating in real life and start dating in the scripted part of the film. Confusing? Not really. Just more hurdles that get in the way of your inevitable thought: What’s the point?

There was lots of buzz around this film during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. It was met with mixed reviews. Some reviewers fell into the Yi “charm”, while others (like this reviewer) were turned off by too much screen time by her.

The actual documentary portion of the film had some interesting stories from couples in various forms of love, but the sincerity of the story was mocked by paper puppet shows created by Yi.

There’s not much more to say here. You might fall into the trap of “Hey, I like Michael Cera, I’ll check it out.” But BEWARE.

Consider yourself saved.

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