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Paper Heart

(2009, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Michael Cera, Charlyne Yi, Jake M. Johnson)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Quirky semi-documentary about love is cute for teens.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, friendship, gender issues

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Although Charlyne is resistant to the idea of love, the film suggests that not only is it very real, but it (at least in the form of a long-term, happy marriage) is something that many committed couples have accomplished.

  • Role models:

    Many of the real-life couples featured in the movie discuss what it takes to have a long-lasting marriage and relationship. Charlyne realizes that to further her relationship with Michael, she must sacrifice aspects of the movie's documentary nature.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Charlyne and Michael flirt and hold hands; a couple of brief kisses. There are several interviews of couples discussing their romantic relationships and marriages. One same-sex couple mentions having sex in a car on their second date (non-graphic discussion).

  • Language:

    Language is limited to a few utterances of "s--t" and "bastard."

  • Consumerism:

    Just Apple products: Mac computer and iPod. Young girls talk about how they love singer Chris Brown.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    At a party, young adults (they all look over 21) drink and smoke cigarettes. Charlyne and her director also smoke cigarettes on a couple of occasions.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Paper Heart

Parents need to know that this semi-scripted, semi-documentary-style movie co-starring Juno's Michael Cera focuses on a young actress' search for the meaning of love. There's not much sexuality, since the focus is on romantic love, but there are a couple of scenes in which couples hold hands and kiss (sweetly, not passionately). For a PG-13 movie, there's not much language other than the occasional "s--t" and "bastard." The movie's message is ultimately positive: Love is out there, but it takes personal and emotional risk/commitment to find and feel it.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about adolescent and adult relationships, especially in light of the one couple who got married at 17. Do you think there are any rules about what makes a successful relationship?
  • Do you think this movie fits into the documentary genre, or should it be considered a comedy? Is it disappointing to know that the "director" in the movie was played by an actor?
  • What did you think of the puppet segments? How did they work (or not) with the rest of the movie?
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