Les noces de papier

A moody, magnificently shot, and quite pure vision of the plight of a political immigrant and the similar plight of a forty year old professeur (GB) whom love has evaded. This is so unpretentious, thoughtfully shot, beautifully acted, touching, and so simple, in a way, you wonder why it was not a great success. It had the problem, in legitimate release in the US, to be up against a piece of navel fluff, Green Card, with the ubiquitous Depardieu and some forgettable actress. Now on video from a small company in Sherman Oaks (!) I think.

Bujold has been in a lot of stinkers (not necessarily her fault) but she always is fine, despsite the material. This is, along with Choose Me, just top flight.

"A Paper Wedding" appears to have been the inspiration for the American movie "Green Card", but it's a subtler, more serious and more satisfying film. A lonely Canadian college professor enters into a marriage of convenience with a Latin American refugee so that he can remain in the country. Pursued by a suspicious immigration official, they're forced to live together and learn about each other. Romantic in a delightfully low-key way.

Not quite thought-provoking, but enough material to make you question the finer points of satisfying one's life. Enjoyed looking at the very pretty and talented Genevieve Bujold. Claire and Pablo are not part of your typical couple, but in a way, you root for them. Could've done without the blueness. It may have been symbolic, but it was just so overwhelmingly depressing at times.

Bujold plays Claire, a loveless, near 40 woman who agrees to marry Pablo, a poet who will be deported and imprisoned(or worse) unless he becomes a Canadian citizen. They marry but the immigration officials are after the truth and take them to court. The outcome is predictable but the French script is clever and the acting, especially by Bujold, is charming. A worthwhile film from Quebec television.

Caught this on TV tonight by accident and got hooked. A different twist on an arranged wedding with the 2 leads quite visibly falling in love after their arranged marriage to keep Pablo in Canada. The immigration officers were a little over written and over done and too heavy a plot contrivance but Bujold and Pablo are subtle in their dawning feelings for each other. The actress who played the mother was also wonderful, being brash and eager for her daughter to marry but also conveying the deep love she has for her as well. I gave it a 7 out of 10. A lovely unexpected ending.