“Paper Heart” is a pseudo-documentary starring former real-life couple Charlyne Yi and Michael Cera.
The film explores the concept of modern love through a scripted documentary.
Yi, a musician and comedian, is probably best known for being Seth Rogen’s friend’s girlfriend in “Knocked Up.”
Here, she takes the starring role as she travels from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to Nashville, Tenn. and beyond, even stopping in Paris. Her friend and director Nicholas Jasenovec comes along for the journey and films her interviews with people about love, a topic she is skeptical about ““ that is, until she meets Cera at a party.
Yi, who co-wrote the film, is largely considered to be “twee” by most critics and pop-culture experts, which is a pejorative for something that is nauseatingly cute (I know, I didn’t think that was a real word, either).
She carries the movie with her twee-ness: a goofy, indie personality that is warm and innocent. Though she may be classified as a typical Silver Lake-esque hipster, her persona is not about elitism and skinny jeans as much as it is about being free-spirited and uncomplicated in a world of seemingly opposite attitudes.
More cynical ““ or perhaps more mature ““ audiences may roll their eyes at her childish, stoner-like giggles and mannerisms, but if I were still a 14-year-old, I would have been won over by her charm.
She is at her best on a playground in Atlanta, interacting with school children, evoking touching and funny responses in a way that would impress even Bill Cosby from his days hosting “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”
Cera does an effective job of playing himself, which notably happens to be the case in pretty much every single one of his roles, from the awkward but endearing guy in “Juno” to the endearing yet awkward guy in “Superbad.” There are only so many ways to play a sensitive, bumbling man-boy.
While Yi goes about filming her fake documentary, sources go off on tangents about personal experiences with love, a la “When Harry Met Sally….” Only this time, Yi acts out the stories with paper puppets, as if they were part of a fifth grade science fair project diorama.
Though these are imaginative scenes of fantasy that highlight Yi’s unique perspective, it borders on being a little too cute and quirky.
During her quest, Yi and Cera’s relationship grows. Together they instant message on iChat, write songs to one another titled “You Smell Like Christmas” and wander around supermarkets being precious.
These scenes are fictional, but it’s hard as an audience not to assume at least part of their romance is based on reality.
Depending on your attitude, their on-screen chemistry will either make you go “aww” or “eww.”
Just like her audience, though, Yi has to decide whether or not to let her inner cynic give in or to let herself get caught up in the romance of it all. It’s a tough choice and the answer apparently may lie outside of the 50 states.
It’s difficult to break new ground in the genre of romantic comedies, which are often oversaturated with cliches and unrealistic scenarios. But “Paper Heart” is a short and sweet exploration of the field.
E-mail Truong at etruong@media.ucla.edu