Green Card (1990)

A man wanting to stay in the US enters into a marriage of convenience, but it turns into more than that.

Director:

Peter Weir

Writer:

Peter Weir

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Andie MacDowell, Bebe Neuwirth

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Georges
Andie MacDowell	...	Brontë
Bebe Neuwirth	...	Lauren
Gregg Edelman	...	Phil
Robert Prosky	...	Brontë's Lawyer
Jessie Keosian	...	Mrs. Bird
Ethan Phillips	...	Gorsky
Mary Louise Wilson	...	Mrs. Sheehan
Lois Smith	...	Brontë's Parent (Mother)
Conrad McLaren	...	Brontë's Parent (Father)
Ronald Guttman	...	Anton
Danny Dennis	...	Oscar
Stephen Pearlman	...	Mr. Adler
Victoria Boothby	...	Mrs. Adler
Ann Wedgeworth	...	Party Guest

Storyline

In New York City, American Brontë Parrish and Frenchman Georges Fauré enter into a marriage of convenience, they not even actually meeting, introduced by their mutual friend Anton who arranged the union, until the day of the civil marriage ceremony. Brontë and Georges expect never having to see each other again until they file for divorce and have each gotten what they want out of the marriage. The reason for Georges wanting to be married: he, an aspiring composer who has been is the States for five months, has long overstayed his tourist visa, and wants to be a permanent resident to get his green card, marrying an American which will solve that issue. The reason for Brontë wanting to get married: she, a horticulturist, needs to be married to be accepted as the new tenant for her dream apartment, which contains a greenhouse with a collection of exotic but currently neglected plants, plus an expansive patio where she can grow plants for her research. Their plans are thrown for a loop ...

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Plot Keywords:

marriage of convenience | fake marriage | love | greenhouse | green card | 

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Taglines:

La historia de dos personas que se casaron, se conocieron y después se enamoraron. (Mexico)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

A "Green Card" is defined by the Wikipedia website as being a "United States Permanent Resident Card, an ID [identity] card attesting to the permanent resident status of an immigrant in the United States [of America]".

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Goofs

Bronte is barelegged at the party, but removes black stockings upon returning home.

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Quotes

Georges: [after finishing playing an ultra radical piece on the piano] Its not Mozart
Mrs. Adler: I know

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Connections

Referenced in Ocho apellidos vascos (2014)

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Soundtracks

Strossa Stroma Sou
From the motion picture soundtrack of Alexis Zorbas (1964) (as "Zorba The Greek"
Written by Mikis Theodorakis and I. Kambanellis
Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

User Reviews

Decent though rarely hilarious romcom

A romantic comedy-drama really, with far fewer laughs and much more sentiment than typical for the genre, though seemingly based on the favourite romcom premise that two people thrown into a position of intimacy for an extended period will inevitably fall into a touching and romantic love no matter how incompatible they at first appear. Depardieu comes across very well, though really doesn't need to try very hard to pull off the fairly stereotypical 'big french feller' he plays here, and MacDowell is her usual droney-voiced, moody-faced self, there to look pretty but prim rather than inspire any great feeling. The story ambles along nicely, taking in most of the standard licks of the genre ? impressing the friends, the family, high jinks with the neighbours, bad behaviour and heroism, shouting and laughing together to illustrate how love can emerge from conflict. Not hugely funny or romantic, but very nice to see that a romantic leading man could still smoke, drink and eat lots of butter in health-obsessed Hollywood back in 1990.

Details

Country:

France Australia USA

Language:

English French Spanish

Release Date:

1 February 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Green Card

Filming Locations:

American Irish Historical Society, 991 Fifth Avenue, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,781, 25 December 1990

Gross USA:

$29,888,235

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$29,888,235

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), DD Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min 107 min (TCM print) (dvd release)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1