“Paper Heart,” the 2009 Sundance winner for best feature-length screenplay, is the best documentary/comedy/romance film I’ve ever seen. The film’s unusual genre matches the unusual sense of humor present in the lead, Charlyne Yi (“Knocked Up”). Yi claims she does not believe in love – at least that she could never find love or be in love – and director Nicholas Jasenovec sets out with her to film couples across the country and find out their thoughts on love. In addition to real documentary footage of people talking about love, Jasenovec follows Yi and her blossoming romance with Michael Cera (“Juno,” “Superbad”).
What the film lacks in action, it makes up for in heart, as the interviewed people present a profoundly human face on the topic of love. Yi presents the combination of a quirky personality and unwavering self-confidence, mixed with a good dose of ironic comedic timing. Add Cera and his type-cast but respected awkward humor, and “Heart” barrages the viewer with lovable characters and interactions. Yi will be a breakout star because of this movie, assuming it gets any national distribution, which it should because of Cera’s marketability. When this movie becomes successful, it will hopefully start a wider discussion on the definition of  humanity’s most important quality: love.
* Paper Heart – 8.5 out of 10.