I’m getting a bit tired of Michael Cera’s geeky-sheik, awkward man-boy performances. Yes he’s adorable and the kind of artsy boy girls swoon over but the constant return to this character is really pigeon holing the young actor. Yes, play what you know or are good at but Cera’s been doing this character for years and it is seriously starting to grate on me. And here we are, getting ready for another run at the stereotype.
A Sundance favourite, Nicholas Jasenovec’s Paper Heart is a documentary/fictional/comedy about two young actors who fall in love on camera. It starts with Charlyne Yi as herself (or a version of herself), an actress who doesn’t believe in “true love” (at least not in the way the books and movies portray it) so she sets out with her filmmaker friend to talk to people about love. Along the way, she meets and a relationship begins to develop between herself and Michael Cera (also playing himself or a version of himself). It’s not clear how much of this is put-on and how much is actually a “documentary” but I’m assuming that this will be a PG-13, ubber tame version Borat.
I am curious to see how this exercise turns out but I could barely deal with the amount of cuteness in this trailer and doubt I can make it through the entire film. I can handle sugar coatings heck, I love myself an unbelievably sweet romance, but there’s something about movies that walk the line between cute/quirky and romantic that rub me the wrong way. This one happens to be right on that line.
Paper Heart opens in limited release on August 7th and expands on August 14th.
Trailer it tucked under the seat!
@ I’m getting a bit tired of Michael Cera’s geeky-sheik, awkward man-boy performances
Hopefully Scott Pilgrim, later this year, will be a departure for him. If not, look for me to be really pissed off when that picture comes out.
I have faith in Edgar Wright, even though I have little actual interest in Scott Pilgrim, I must admit his presence in Toronto has been fun to watch. He was programming one of our local rep cinemas “THE WRIGHT STUFF” and has been hanging about town for some time now.
@ even though I have little actual interest in Scott Pilgrim
wait… did you not hear the part about how it’s canadian? It’s being shot in CANADA, not because they’re trying to cut costs but because that’s where the story takes place, CANADA. And some of the actors are even CANADIAN.
So clearly you’re mistaken when you say you’re not interested.
Also, in case you think it’s of relevence the books are hilarious. I expect it to be the first GN adaptation that I actually like.
I’ve read Scott Pilgrim #1 and it’s good. Really good. And I’m with you Rusty – that character is pretty far from what he’s played to date. Here’s hoping it’s a step in the right direction.
Pretty far, but I think he has potential to do great.
I definitely recommend the subsequent chapters Marina. The story develops in a really strong direction. I can’t say if it gets better or not but I love the direction. Ultimately the story is about growing up.
Not sure if that aspect will make it to the adaptation.
I was skeptical too when I first read about this in Sundance coverage, and I too am getting tired of Cera’s one-trick-pony performances, but I really like this trailer. Charlyne Yi reminds me a bit of myself. I’m a cynic too, but I’ve been softening a bit lately. I like the doc feel. Whether it’s real or not, I don’t know, but as long as it feels geniune, and it does, I’m on board.
@Rusty – I actually have the first 4 books sitting on the table. Just haven’t gotten around to them yet (too busy reading a zombie romance that was recommended by Colleen).
why would you write “Paper thin appeal” for a headline? Is the story about the trailer or your opinion of it? What’s the priority? If its the former, then I think the Sundance awards and the fact that around 6 people at the office crowded around eager to finally see the trailer may undercut your ‘news’.
As for Scott Pilgrim – I trust Wright to death which overcomes any questions I have about the casting. In some ways Cera fits perfectly, in other ways he’s an awful choice if he’s going to be doing the same schtick.
goon, shut the fuck up. its a movie blog.
no seriously. you’re such a fucking retard. movie blogs are supposed to be about opinions. its why people come and read them rather than variety.
You know what would be a great movie? A film called One Trick Pony starring Michael Cera, Will Farrel and Danny McBride.
Gold.
@swarez. Cameos from Jon Heder, Edward Burns and M.Night Shyamalan.
touche ralph, i reacted quickly seeing Marina’s name attached to this – who I guess I never read, but in my head associate her with straight news rather than opinion
but calling me a retard obligates me to call you a gaybedy gaygay who likes to sniff gay with other gays
you pooface.
but…
“shut the fuck up.”
“movie blogs are supposed to be about opinions.”
if you strongly believe the latter, your first retort shouldnt be to tell other people to shut up.
“A film called One Trick Pony starring Michael Cera, Will Farrel and Danny McBride.”
“Cameos from Jon Heder, Edward Burns and M.Night Shyamalan.”
I hope you all realize if you’re going to play that game you can also include a lot of directors you love.
Like Wes Anderson, you could just as easily and ignorantly whittle him down to Futura and rich kids with daddy issues.
Seriously, its just another case where comedy actors and genre directors get treated like shit when dramatic actors and directors could just as easily be written off. And why, because drama is ‘important’, so it doesnt matter if almost every well known dramatic actors is essentially themself in every movie.
This movie looks freaking awful.
Speaking of Cera, review for “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” in tonight’s Cinecast in the “on the road” segment.
Teaser: garbage.
^yeah, Nick & Nora was absolutely terrible. Kat Dennings was just horrid, especially. its weird that they’re trying to build a romance while the characters spend so little time together for most of the movie, always being surrounded by obnoxious people. it was just plain hard to sit through. nothing romantic. nothing funny.
it was just for shock value.
I try not to be too vocal until after I’ve seen a movie but this trailer caught me on the wrong day and overall just rubbed me the wrong way. The title of the post is an accurate description of how I feel about this movie.
And though I didn’t love Nick & Nora, I didn’t hate it either – Dennings single handedly made that watchable for me. That girl needs to make more movies.
No need to defend yourself – I’m the cockbag here. And a hypocrite, I once wrote a news headline on FilmJunk called “South Park to suck for 3 more years”
But in blog form I have generally seen you as some neutral news person… even if thats incorrect – I was just taken aback by seeing you take action in a news item
– it would be like seeing Jay Leno or Wolf Blitzer go on a political rant. Just unexpected.
re: nic and nora. My favorite part was the blink and it’s gone Justin Rice appearance. You should just talk about that.
And then you and Kurt can follow it up with Top 5 pg13 finger banging scenes.