I expected to like Lars and the Real Girl, but I didn't expect to like it this much. This is a kindhearted and sincere film. It could have been overly cute and quirky, but that is reined in in favor of characters who are real and lovable. The first thing I noticed was how naturally these characters speak. They don't talk like people in movies, they talk like people you talk to after church or at office parties or family dinners. Maybe that's one reason their actions are so powerful. We expect great kindnesses from people in the movies, not so much from people we run into on the street.
Directed by David Gillespie, the film is about a young guy named Lars (Ryan Gosling) who is extremely shy and socially awkward, although very likable and sweet. He's the kind of guy you can identify with if you're not a douchebag. Lars lives in the garage of a house he and his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) inherited from their father. Gus lives in the house with his pregnant wife, Karin (Emily Mortimer in a sweet, earnest performance), and they softly try to pull Lars out of his shell. Usually this is in the form of a dinner invitation.
One night Lars tells them he is bringing a girl to dinner. Gus and Karin are excited for him, until he arrives with a life-size sex doll he calls Bianca. He tells them Bianca is the daughter of missionaries and that she is unable to walk. They all sit down to dinner. Gus and Karin are understandably concerned. This is the film's exposition, and it doesn't necessarily play out how you might think.
Lars has not, we discover, ordered Bianca to use her as a sex doll; she simply provides the companionship that he desperately needs. He pushes her around in a wheelchair and brings her to church and neighbor's houses. His family and community slowly begin to understand him, and they eventually begin to treat Bianca the same way Lars does. If this sounds unbelievable, that's because it is. But that's what's so great about this film.
Lars and the Real Girl is also about a town, the small town Lars inhabits. What this town represents is mankind's ability to love. I'm not sure I have ever seen a film do such a good job of embodying the biblical command "love thy neighbor." I can't remember the last time I saw church members portrayed in such a good light. The whole cast exemplifies a firm belief in the goodness and understanding of people. To really get what I'm talking about, you really have to see the movie.
Ryan Gosling never ceases to impress me, even in mediocre movies like The Notebook. He never has to go too far to express his characters' feelings and desires; most of his acting is subtle and inward, but extremely affecting. He has a way of making you want to hug him. This is one of his best roles. And Patricia Clarkson is fantastic (as always) as the family practice doctor who "treats" Bianca for an illness and uses the time to get to know Lars. I would say hers is the second most identifiable character.
This film is funny and touching. See it if you haven't.
One night Lars tells them he is bringing a girl to dinner. Gus and Karin are excited for him, until he arrives with a life-size sex doll he calls Bianca. He tells them Bianca is the daughter of missionaries and that she is unable to walk. They all sit down to dinner. Gus and Karin are understandably concerned. This is the film's exposition, and it doesn't necessarily play out how you might think.
Lars has not, we discover, ordered Bianca to use her as a sex doll; she simply provides the companionship that he desperately needs. He pushes her around in a wheelchair and brings her to church and neighbor's houses. His family and community slowly begin to understand him, and they eventually begin to treat Bianca the same way Lars does. If this sounds unbelievable, that's because it is. But that's what's so great about this film.
Lars and the Real Girl is also about a town, the small town Lars inhabits. What this town represents is mankind's ability to love. I'm not sure I have ever seen a film do such a good job of embodying the biblical command "love thy neighbor." I can't remember the last time I saw church members portrayed in such a good light. The whole cast exemplifies a firm belief in the goodness and understanding of people. To really get what I'm talking about, you really have to see the movie.
Ryan Gosling never ceases to impress me, even in mediocre movies like The Notebook. He never has to go too far to express his characters' feelings and desires; most of his acting is subtle and inward, but extremely affecting. He has a way of making you want to hug him. This is one of his best roles. And Patricia Clarkson is fantastic (as always) as the family practice doctor who "treats" Bianca for an illness and uses the time to get to know Lars. I would say hers is the second most identifiable character.
This film is funny and touching. See it if you haven't.
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