Green Card, a middling but enjoyable romantic comedy, was directed and written by Aussie Peter Weir, better known for his dramas and thrillers (“Picnic at Hanging Rock,” “Witness”).
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![]() Theatrical release poster
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Grade: C+ (1* 1/2* out of *****)
Using the premise of a fish-out-of-water, the tale concerns a beautiful American woman, Bronte Parrish (Andie MacDowell), who in order to keep her apartment, needs to get married.
Her target is a burly French composer named Georges (Gerard Depardieu), who is eager to earn a green card so he can stay and work in the U.S.
The couple doesn’t live together, but when the government’s Immigration authorities begin to investigate their case, they are forced to put up a façade to convince them that they are truly in love.
There is nice chemistry between the French iconic actor, in his first English-speaking part, and MacDowell, who was then popular due to the success of sex, lies and videotape.
In the same year, Depardieu, always more facile in his native language of French, impressed in a new version of Cyrano de Bergerac, for which he sc0red his first and only Best Actor Oscar nod.
The escapist movie has some charm, but it is extremely old-fashioned, and marred by a poor ending.
Inevitable comparisons were made to two other romantic comedies that year, Like Ghost, starring Demi Moore, and Pretty Woman, which catapulted Julia Robers to major stardom.
End Note:
It is the least interesting film that Aussie Weir directed in an otherwise brilliant career, full of gems.
Oscar Nominations: 1
Original Screenplay: Peter Weir
Oscar Context:
The winner was Bruce Joel Rubin for “Ghost.”
Credits:
Produced, directed, written by Peter Weir
Cinematography Geoffrey Simpson
Edited by William M. Anderson
Music by Hans Zimmer
Production: Touchstone Pictures
Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (US)
Release dates: Dec 23, 1990 (NY and LA); Feb 1, 1991 (US)
Running time: 107 minutes
Budget $12.5 million
Box office $38 million
MPAA: PG-13.