Paper Heart

Playing fast and loose with the boundaries between fact and fiction, Paper Heart offers a postmodern take on whether or not true love exists. In the sceptics' corner is Charlyne Yi, the comedian and actress best known here for her supporting role in Knocked Up. Charlyne claims that she's never been in love, and doesn't really understand the concept, so with the aid of documentary filmmaker Nicholas Jasenovec (actually played on screen by Jake Johnson) she sets out to learn more. Among those she consults are the proprietor of the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Vegas and a couple married for 50 years, along with an assortment of her friends and acquaintances. Some of their stories are illustrated with lo-fi cardboard puppet animations which, unlikely as it may sound, make them all the more moving. Meantime Charlyne meets Michael Cera (playing himself) at a party, and the pair begin a tentative and textbook geeky relationship, only to find it hampered by the seemingly ever present director and crew... Whether you love this film or hate it will largely depend on your sympathy or not for Yi's persona and predicament. But for self-confessed geeks and fellow travellers, there is much to enjoy.

Sandra Hebron