Editing Green Card (film)

{{Short description|1990 film by Peter Weir}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Green Card
| image = Greencardposter.jpg
| alt = A man carrying a woman over his shoulder
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Peter Weir]]
| producer = Peter Weir
| writer = Peter Weir
| starring       = {{plainlist|
* [[Gérard Depardieu]]
* [[Andie MacDowell]]
}}
| music = [[Hans Zimmer]]
| cinematography = [[Geoffrey Simpson]]
| editing = [[William M. Anderson]]
| studio = [[Touchstone Pictures]]<br />[[Film Finance Corporation Australia|Australian Film Finance Corporation]]<br />Lam Ping
| distributor = [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures|Buena Vista Pictures Distribution]] (International)<br />[[Roadshow Entertainment]] (Australia and New Zealand)<ref name="ozmovies" /><br />[[UGC (cinema operator)|UGC Distribution]] (France)<ref>{{cite web|title=Green Card (1990)|work=[[UniFrance]]|access-date=6 June 2021|url=https://en.unifrance.org/movie/9294/green-card}}</ref>| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1990|12|23|New York and Los Angeles|1991|1|31|Australia|1991|2|1|United States|1991|2|20|France}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099699/releaseinfo|title=Green Card (1990)|website=IMDb.com|access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>
| runtime = 107 minutes
| country = United States<br />Australia<br />France
| language = English
| budget = $12.5 million<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/58528|title=AFI&#124;Catalog|website=Catalog.afi.com|access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>
| gross = $38 million (US/Australia)<ref name="mojo">{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2706867713/weekend/|title=Green Card |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>
}}
'''''Green Card''''' is a 1990 American [[romantic comedy film]] written, produced, and directed by [[Peter Weir]] and starring [[Gérard Depardieu]] and [[Andie MacDowell]].

The screenplay focuses on an American woman who enters into a [[marriage of convenience]] with a [[French people|Frenchman]] so he can obtain a [[Permanent residence (United States)|green card]] and remain in the United States.

Depardieu won the [[Golden Globe Award]] for Best Actor. The film won the [[Golden Globe]] for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and was nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Oscar]] for Best Original Screenplay.

==Plot==
 <!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summary should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
Brontë Parrish, a [[Horticulture|horticulturalist]] and an [[Environmentalism|environmentalist]], enters into a [[Green Card marriage]] with Georges Fauré, an [[Alien (law)|undocumented immigrant]] from France, so he may stay in the United States. In turn, Brontë uses her fake marriage credentials to rent the apartment of her dreams. After moving in, and in order to explain her spouse's absence, she tells the doorman and neighbors he is conducting musical research in Africa.

Contacted by the [[Immigration and Naturalization Service]] for an interview to determine if her marriage is legitimate, Brontë tracks down Georges, who is working as a waiter. Although the two have little time to get their facts straight, the agents who question them appear to be satisfied with their answers. But when one of the agents asks to use the bathroom and Georges directs him to a closet, their suspicions are aroused, and they schedule a full, formal interview to be conducted two days later at their office.

Advised by her attorney that she could face criminal charges if their deception is uncovered, Brontë reluctantly invites Georges to move in with her. They try to learn about each other's past and their quirks and habits but quickly find they can barely tolerate each other. Georges is a fiery-tempered selfish slob and smoker who prefers red meat to vegetarian food, while Brontë is shown as uptight and cold, obsessed with her plants and wrapped up in [[Environmentalism|environmental issues]].

Meanwhile, the parents of Lauren Adler, Brontë's best friend, plan to leave New York City and consider donating their trees and plants to the Green Guerrillas, a group overseeing the development of inner-city gardens. Brontë is invited to a dinner party to discuss the issue and discovers Georges is there, having been asked by Lauren. He so impresses the Adlers with an [[Impressionist music|impressionistic]] [[piano]] piece, set to a poem about children and trees, that they agree to donate their plants to the Green Guerrillas. When Brontë's parents later arrive at the apartment for an unannounced visit, Georges pretends to be the [[handyman]].

When Brontë's boyfriend Phil returns from a trip, Georges reveals that he is married to her. Brontë angrily kicks Georges out, but the pair nonetheless appear at the immigration interview the next day. The two are questioned separately, and when Georges is caught out by the interviewer, he confesses the marriage is a sham. He agrees to [[deportation]] but insists Brontë not be charged for her role in the charade. He lets Brontë believe the interview was a success and the two go their separate ways.

A few days later, Georges invites Brontë to join him at the cafe where they first met. When she notices one of the immigration agents is waiting outside, she realizes Georges is being deported and tries to stop him from being sent away as they've both realized they are in love with each other.

Georges promises to write every day asking the same question "When are you coming, ''chérie''?", a line he had also used when describing their fabricated courtship to the INS. Just before he leaves with the immigration agent, Brontë asks if he still has their wedding rings; he pulls them out of his pocket and they quickly exchange rings again, laughing and kissing. Then Georges departs with the agent as Brontë watches from the sidewalk.

==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Gérard Depardieu]] as Georges Fauré
* [[Andie MacDowell]] as Brontë Parrish
* [[Bebe Neuwirth]] as Lauren Adler
* [[Gregg Edelman]] as Phil
* [[Robert Prosky]] as Brontë's Lawyer
* [[Mary Louise Wilson]] as Mrs. Sheehan 
* [[Lois Smith]] as Brontë's Mother
* [[John Spencer (actor)|John Spencer]] as Harry
* [[Ann Dowd]] as Peggy
* [[Larry Wright (street drummer)|Larry Wright]] as Larry Wright, The Bucket Drummer
* [[Ethan Phillips]] as INS Agent Gorsky
}}

==Production==
Peter Weir wrote the script, an original, specifically as a vehicle for Gérard Depardieu to introduce him to a wide English-speaking audience.<ref>Katherine Tucker, "Peter Weir", ''Cinema Papers'', August 1990 p 6-10</ref> The film had a similar theme and plot to ''[[The Paper Wedding]]'' (French: ''Les noces de papier''), a 1989 made for television Canadian film directed by [[Michel Brault]], which was subsequently entered into the [[40th Berlin International Film Festival]].<ref>Marc Horton, "The movie to see on immigration scams". ''[[Edmonton Journal]]'', February 7, 1991.</ref>

Partial funding for the film was provided by the [[Film Finance Corporation Australia]] and [[Union Générale Cinématographique]]. Although the film was set in America and did not feature Australian actors, the fact it was written, directed, filmed, designed and edited by an Australian enabled it to receive funding from the Australian government. This was $3.8 million from the FFC.<ref>Bob Evans, "OUR PIECE OF THE ACTION", ''The Australian Financial Review'', 18 October 1991 p 33</ref>

==Music==

===Original soundtrack===
{{Infobox album
| name       = Green Card:<br />Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = [[Hans Zimmer]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = {{Start date|df=yes|1991|01|22}}
| recorded   = 1990 at Rhino Studios, [[Sydney, Australia]]
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Film score]], [[Instrumental|instrumental pop]], [[New-age music|new-age]], [[soft rock]], [[world music|world]], [[classical music|classical]]
| length     = 44:56
| label      = [[Varèse Sarabande]]
| producer   = Hans Zimmer, Peter Weir
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
}}
''Green Card: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' was released on 22 January 1991 on [[Varèse Sarabande]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hans-zimmer.com/index.php?rub=disco&id=24 |title=Hans-Zimmer.com - Green Card |access-date=30 July 2015 |archive-date=22 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022235940/http://www.hans-zimmer.com/index.php?rub=disco&id=24 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Some of the music like "River", "Watermark", and "Storms in Africa" by [[Enya]], "Holdin' On" by [[Soul II Soul]], "Oyin Momo Ado" by [[Babatunde Olatunji]] and "[[Surfin' Safari (song)|Surfin' Safari]]" by [[The Beach Boys]] are heard in the movie, but not included in the soundtrack.

====Track listing====
# "Street Drums" ([[Larry Wright (street drummer)|Larry Wright]]) <small>(1:29)</small>
# "Instinct" <small>(3:33)</small>
# "Restless Elephant" <small>(2:55)</small>
# "Cafe Afrika" <small>(2:59)</small>
# "Greenhouse" <small>(3:15)</small>
# "Moonlight" <small>(1:24)</small>
# "9AM Central Park" <small>(1:48)</small>
# "Clarinet Concerto in a Major: Adagio" ([[W.A. Mozart]]) <small>(8:38)</small>
# "Silence" <small>(4:38)</small>
# "Instinct II" <small>(3:09)</small>
# "Asking You" <small>(1:45)</small>
# "Pour Bronté" <small>(6:19)</small>
# "Eyes on the Prize" (The Emmaus Group Singers) <small>(3:04)</small>

==Reception==

===Critical response===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film holds a 59% approval rating based on 32 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5/10.<ref>{{Citation |title=Green Card |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/green_card |language=en |access-date=2023-01-19}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Card Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/green-card |access-date=April 2, 2022 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/ |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=CinemaScore }}</ref>

[[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called it "as breezily escapist as a film this facile can be" and added, "Ms. MacDowell ... has a lovely, demure ease that makes George's appreciative gaze quite understandable. Mr. Depardieu, in the role that gets him into a [[New York Yankees]] cap, proves that he is nothing if not a sport ... He comes to life most fully when he lapses into French or is otherwise momentarily freed from the story's constraints."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |author-link=Janet Maslin |date=1990-12-25|title=Depardieu in English, In Weir's 'Green Card'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/25/movies/depardieu-in-english-in-weir-s-green-card.html|access-date=2021-09-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' observed the film "is not blindingly brilliant, and is not an example of the very best work of the director who made ''[[The Year of Living Dangerously (film)|The Year of Living Dangerously]]'' or the actor who starred in ''[[Cyrano de Bergerac (1990 film)|Cyrano de Bergerac]]''. But it is a sound, entertaining work of craftsmanship, a love story between two people whose meet is not as cute as it might have been."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/green-card-1991 |title=''Chicago Sun-Times'' review |website=Rogerebert.suntimes.com |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-date=28 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328110922/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19910111%2FREVIEWS%2F101110301%2F1023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the film a "captivating romantic bonbon" and added, "Don't look for the originality and grit that distinguished Weir's Australian films ''[[Picnic at Hanging Rock (film)|Picnic at Hanging Rock]]'' and ''[[Gallipoli (1981 film)|Gallipoli]]'', ''Green Card'' has all the heft of a potato chip. But Depardieu's charm recognizes no language barriers, and MacDowell, the revelation of ''[[Sex, Lies, and Videotape]]'', proves a fine, sexy foil."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2007-10-24|title=Green Card : Review : Rolling Stone|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5949121/review/5949122/green_card|access-date=2021-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024183011/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5949121/review/5949122/green_card|archive-date=24 October 2007}}</ref> Rita Kempley of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' said, "Like ''[[Ghost (1990 film)|Ghost]]'' and ''[[Pretty Woman]]'', this romance is blissfully dependent on our staying good and starry-eyed, seduced by the charisma of the leads. And we do, despite its lackadaisical pace and disappointing ending."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/greencardpg13kempley_a0a155.htm |title=''Washington Post'' review|newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>

''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' said, "Although a thin premise endangers its credibility at times, ''Green Card'' is a genial, nicely played romance."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117791379.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0 |title=''Variety'' review |website=Variety.com |access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=28 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628154505/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117791379.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Time Out London]]'' stated "Weir's first romantic comedy boasts a central relationship which is tentative and hopeful, a mood beautifully realised by Depardieu (venturing into new territory with a major English-speaking role). Complemented by the refined MacDowell, his gracious, generous performance is never dominating, and their exchanges offer unexpected pleasures. In terms of the genre's conventions, Weir likens this film to 'a light meal.' It's one to savour."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Green Card|url=https://www.timeout.com/movies/green-card|access-date=2021-09-01|website=Time Out Worldwide|date=10 September 2012 |language=en}}</ref> [[Channel 4]] said, "Weir's film has its fair share of cute moments as the opposites slowly begin to attract, but this is largely over rated stuff, which proved curiously popular with critics on its release. Depardieu does his obnoxious-yet-strangely-lovable act with ease; however, the romantic comedy fixture MacDowell is less convincing."<ref>[http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=103969&section=review] {{dead link|date=November 2021}}</ref><ref name="ozmovies">{{cite web |title=Green Card - Review |work=Oz Movies |access-date=6 June 2021 |url=http://www.ozmovies.com.au/movie/green-card |archive-date=19 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419183037/https://www.ozmovies.com.au/movie/green-card |url-status=dead }} {{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref>

===Box office===
''Green Card'' grossed $29.9 million in the United States and Canada.<ref name="mojo">{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2706867713/weekend/|title=Green Card |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref> In Australia, it was the highest-grossing local film with a gross of A$10,585,060 (US$8 million).<ref>{{cite news|title= Home Alone in 9th Week as No. 1 Film : Movies: 'Godfather Part III' takes dramatic slide from second to sixth place in its third week out. 'Awakenings' is in second |work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|date=14 January 1991|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-14-ca-310-story.html|access-date=1 January 2011|first=Pat H.|last=Broeske}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://film.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/AA4_Aust_Box_office_report.pdf |title=''Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office'' |access-date=20 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218045303/http://film.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/AA4_Aust_Box_office_report.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Screen International]]|title=Top Australian Domestic Grosses 1991-1995|page=17|date=10 May 1996}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
|-
| [[63rd Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1991 |title=The 63rd Academy Awards (1991) Nominees and Winners |access-date=October 20, 2011 |website=AMPAS}}</ref>
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Peter Weir]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[45th British Academy Film Awards|British Academy Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1992/film |title=BAFTA Awards: Film in 1992 |website=[[BAFTA]] |year=1992 |access-date=16 September 2016 |ref={{harvid|BAFTA|1992}}}}</ref>
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[48th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/green-card |title=Green Card – Golden Globes |website=[[HFPA]] |access-date=July 28, 2021 |ref={{harvid|HFPA|1991}}}}</ref>
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]]
| [[Gérard Depardieu]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]] 
| [[Andie MacDowell]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[London Film Critics Circle Awards 1991|London Film Critics' Circle Awards]]
| [[London Film Critics' Circle Award for Actor of the Year|Actor of the Year]]
| Gérard Depardieu
| {{won}}
|-
| [[43rd Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551 |title=Awards Winners |website=Writers Guild of America |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121205095022/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551 |archive-date=5 December 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen]]
| Peter Weir
| {{nom}}
|}

==Home media release==
Touchstone released the film on VHS around 1991 and Touchstone Home Entertainment released the film on Region 1 DVD on 4 March 2003. It is in [[anamorphic widescreen]] format with audio tracks in English and French.

''Green Card'' was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in February 2004. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the original theatrical trailer, Umbrella Entertainment trailers, and interviews with Peter Weir, Gérard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell.<ref name="Umbrella Entertainment">{{cite web|title=Umbrella Entertainment|url=http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/p-1679-green-card.aspx|access-date=23 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020082246/http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/p-1679-green-card.aspx|archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Cinema of Australia]]
* ''[[Hold Back the Dawn]]'' (earlier film with a similar theme)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0099699|title=Green Card}}
* {{mojo title|greencard|title=Green Card}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190413055814/http://colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv%3Dyes;group%3D;groupequals%3D;holdingType%3D;page%3D0;parentid%3D;query%3DNumber:247167;querytype%3D;rec%3D0;resCount%3D10 ''Green Card'' at the National Film and Sound Archive]

{{Peter Weir}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestMotionPictureMusicalComedy 1981–2000}}
{{Portal bar|Film|United States|Australia|France|1990s}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1990 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Australian romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:French romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about immigration to the United States]]
[[Category:Films directed by Peter Weir]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:French films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Best Musical or Comedy Picture Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:Touchstone Pictures films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Hans Zimmer]]
[[Category:Hans Zimmer soundtracks]]
[[Category:English-language French films]]
[[Category:1990 films]]
[[Category:Films about sham marriage]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:1990s French films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]