Lars and the Real Girl Reviews

• A Potentially Silly Premise for a Story Becomes a Touching, Tender Film

  
  By A328S9RN3U5M68 on 2008-04-19
  Were anyone to suggest that a 'romance' between a guy and a blowup doll could become one of the more sensitive films of the year, it would be cause for derision - that is, before viewing LARS AND THE REAL GIRL. The improbable story was written by Nancy Oliver (the writer of many episodes of the TV series 'Six Feet Under') and directed by Craig Gillespie who gathered a particularly strong cast of actors to present this examination of compassion and love for an emotionally injured young man by small town folks, reminding us that caring for each other is still a highly regarded value.
  
  Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) survived a tough childhood only to become a loner terrified of emotional and tactile contact. He lives in the garage of his deceased parents' home while his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and pregnant sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) live in the main house. Despite Karin's pleadings to be part of the family, Lars prefers to keep to himself. At his job his co-workers include Margo (Kelli Garner), who is more than a little attracted to the quiet and strangely distant Lars, and a fellow who finds ' life-size love dolls' on the internet. Lars orders one of the dolls and when 'Bianca' arrives, Lars finally has a girlfriend to share his loneliness. He introduces Bianca to Gus and Karin who find the situation strange, but at the same time see the happiness in Lars that has been missing. They encourage Lars and Bianca to see a doctor Margo (Patricia Clarkson) who plays along with the concept that Lars finds Bianca real, and encourages Gus and Karin to be supportive. As it ends up the entire little town accepts Bianca and she is introduced to doing good deeds and be a vital part of the town, all through the kindness of people who love the 'delusional' Lars and care only for his happiness. How Lars gradually finds his way into the real world and copes with the understanding of his need for Bianca, the story comes to a tender ending, one that never for a moment feels like a sellout but maintains the dignity of all of the characters in the story.
  
  This is a fine and thoughtful exploration of the needs we all have for understanding, compassion, and acceptance, and while there are some very humorous moments in this well-written story, the overall message is one of gentle love. Ryan Gosling is so fine an actor that he makes this rather complex character understandable and gains our empathy. The supporting cast is equally excellent - especially Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider. Highly recommended viewing, this is a DVD many will want to own for repeated viewings. Grady Harp, April 08
  
  

• Thoughtful comedy that leaves many impressions

  
  By AUTBHG6070SL4 on 2007-12-04
  Lars lives in one of the snowed-in Northern states; his town could be next to Lake Wobegone. He's painfully shy, in an utterly literal sense of the term - he won't even visit his brother and sister in law in the house adjacent to where he lives. Maybe it's no suprise that he orders a customized, anatomically detailed love doll.
  
  The surprise is that it comes to life for him. Everyone else sees a slightly creepy adult toy, but he brings "Bianca" everywhere - to dinner with his brother and sister in law, to a Christmas party with his co-workers, even to church. He concocts an elaborate fantasy about why she says so little, why she needs a wheelchair, even why she needs to borrow clothing. A psychologist tries to address his delusion but, while it works itself out, recommends humoring him. And so, the entire community does. If they're going to treat her as real, they're going to do it right.
  
  Therein lies the quirky charm of this movie - an entire town rallying around one of their own, playing their part in his odd drama. If that's what's best for him and there's no harm in it, they'll do it. A few balk, of course, but only a few and not for long. They accept Bianca fully into their community, sometimes to Lars's dismay.
  
  The happy ending (happy enough) makes this into a movie about redemption, but that over-simplifies this complex film. The premise looks like some modern-day fairy tale. Once set in motion, the movie carries itself forward with understated kindness, maybe even nostalgia for a small-town closeness, whether that closeness ever existed or not.
  
  -- wiredweird
  
  

• "All the Lonely People"

  
  By A3EE0H0NWQ9QVL on 2007-11-25
  (4.5 *'s) Lars Lindstrom has all the foibles one sometimes associates with a ventriloquist. Socially inept and insecure, every encounter with even loved ones is full of awkwardness and fumbling. He has difficulty expressing himself and relating to others. At home he lives in the mother-in-law house (or garage as they say) next to his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law Karen (Emily Mortimer). One night a well-meaning Karen tackles him on the driveway to get him to stay for dinner. Needless to say he is almost traumatized by her good intentions. Work is as pedestrian as it gets: He works in a cubicle doing work on the computer for an unknown company. Co-worker Marla (Kelli Gardner) shows an interest in him, but even her overtures leave him flummoxed. Another co-coworker is friendly, but offers him his favorite porn. That is until he introduces him to his latest offering from "Real Doll.dot.com". Anatomically correct, the life-size doll gives Lars an idea.
  
  Coming home to dinner once again, Lars is beaming about his new girlfriend. Gus and Karen are also beaming, truly enthusiastic and proud. Until they meet Bianca, the "real doll" who is seated with a conversing Lars. Lars is transformed. His speech is confident; his cheeks are reddened; and his outlook is happy. First comes shock; then comes acceptance. Not quite knowing what to do, Lars is so believable that they start to believe it too. They have him see a therapist (Patricia Clarkson), the general practitioner in their small Northern Wisconsin town, and the pastor gathers his flock together. Everyone starts to make jokes, but eventually they go along with someone who is truly delusional. Bianca starts to become real.
  
  Billed as a comedy, `Lars and the Real Girl' is too often sad to be funny. Though profound and heartwarming, the laughs are often embarrassing because the situations of the protagonist are awkward. They elicit our sympathy. This isn't to say the film isn't a gem because it is. In spite of all temptations to pigeon hole this movie as cheesy or a screwball comedy, all the right components come together to make `Lars and the Real Girl' a wonderful little film and truly one of the best of the year. Without serendipity, this movie could have easily been a disaster.
  
  (The extras are short but sweet: "The Real Story of Lars and the Real Girl" (10:11) is worthy for the "real" affection the cast has for the film with reflections by Oscar nominated screenwriter, Nancy Oliver, and a specially articulate director (Craig Gillespie). 'A Real Leading Lady' (5:55) features Ryan Gosling ad libbing facetiously with his co-star Bianca about making the film. The deleted "Bathtub" scene is impossibly short, clocking in less than a minute--but the written explanation by the director is insightful. The rest are trailers.)
  
  

• One of 2007s best films. Why loners are so appealing.

  
  By AN8M401S8Y6DA on 2008-04-20
  Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) has hints of a non violent version of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) and a fictional, less vocal variation of Harvey Pekar in American Splendor, two of my favorite films of all time. Each of these films give some character study and glimpses into unique outsiders lives. I would imagine the appeal and compassion for these people comes from most of us being able to relate at one time or another to being lonely or feeling like we don't fit in.
  
  The film is filled with laughs but I would say it's more a touching drama then comedy which comes as a total surprise given the material. Credit should also be given to Ryan Gosling for looking beyond the obvious and bringing a lot of emotion to this role with few words, he is the real deal.
  
  The movie is about mental Illness and Gosling's character's delusion of a plastic doll being real but is much more than that. There are the obvious jokes but even though the doll is anatomically correct it never goes in the perverse direction. It isn't a love story between Gosling's character and the doll but a story about love, family, communication, and hope. With the emergence of this doll family and community are able to open up to one another. Perhaps the absurdity of the situation allows everyone to drop their guards.
  
  In a time where machines and the internet replace humans at stores and our main way of getting in touch with one another is through emails and instant messages, a touching movie about communication seems about right.
  
  

• See they're even fake so they'll never die.

  
  By A3AVJCB1ZD6ZY5 on 2007-11-21
  This is what Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) tells Bianca after he gives her flowers. These few words, more than anything else in the film, typify the unconscious reason for Lars' reticence in dealing with others.
  
  Lars lives in the garage of the home he and his older brother Gus (Paul Schneider) inherited from their father. While Gus managed to overcome their mother's death, Lars never could.
  
  When a co-worker shows Lars an Internet ad for "Love Dolls", Lars rescues "Bianca" and brings her home. It's not what you expect, Lars' intentions are honorable. He's working through a psychosis.
  
  When his family and the town realize what's happening, they quickly take Bianca to their bosom. In short order, she gets a job as a model at the mall, a slot reading to children and she's elected to the town school board! (Brilliant move, if I must say so)
  
  Ryan Gosling does an amazing job as the withdrawn Lars and the rest of the cast is outstanding as well. I seriously doubt any real town would embrace a member who was bringing around a lifesize doll--but some part of me would like to think there are places like this in the world.
  
  
• Hans Christian Andersen
  By A2PR6NXG0PA3KY on 2008-07-19
  Those are my people! That's my home land! Every face looks like one of my family, including Lars, who looks like a goofier me at the same age. The houses, the furniture, the downtown shops, the costumes, the church, the lake - it's all museum-quality Upper Midwest. Minnesota to me, since that's where I'm from. Only the accents and the dialogue in general don't sound Minnesotan, and I kinda wonder why not.
  
  Given that we're all Scandihoovians together here, I can make some sense out of this film by thinking of it as a Hans Christian Andersen tale, a lot like The Little Mermaid or The Faithful Tin Soldier. Bittersweet, artificial and witty, and solidly moralistic at the core. Otherwise, the improbability of the family's and town's response to Lars's delusion (that's the heart of the plot) would seem too improbable to accept, even on theatrical terms of "willing suspension of disbelief." I mean, we're a well-meaning folk, we Minnesotans, and we make trying to be nice the local interpretation of the Golden Rule, but we aren't THAT nice!
  
  Ryan Gosling should get an Oscar for making an impossible role almost fully believable. Of course, Bianca should be a shoo-in for Best Supporting Actress.
  
  In the end, it's "awful heart-warming", as my Uncle Einar would say, noncommittally.
  
  
• Clearly the most original and loveably quirky film of 2007 in LARS AND THE REAL GIRL!
  By ATXL536YX71TR on 2007-11-20
  This film is quite simply put a gem of writing,direction and acting.This is the singlemost unique and completely original film that has hit the screen this year.The fact that it successfully reaches and touches every human emotion available,whether through the beyond-clever script to the finest performance to be given by Ryan Gosling, is a testament to the incredible ensemble of people who made this wonderfully inventive charmer!
  
  Lars,living in stoic Lutheran-based Wisconsin, suffers from intense social anxiety.Ryan Gosling grabs the audience with his character at the very opening frame of this movie and runs with it in a true tour-de-force performance sure to gain award recognition this year.Lars is so disconnected from society (even PAXIL wouldn't help him!) that he purchases a mailorder sex doll named Bianca! This seems a bit far fetched I am sure, but what transpires is beyond hilarious and way beyond touching on the subject of human compassion.Bianca is given a back story and becomes Lars' most trusted and constant companion.Here is where Gosling totally excels and shows his mettle as a top actor.Gosling is able to make Bianca actually come alive to the his brother and sister-in-law, to his psychiatrist (as always an understated Patricia Clarkson) , to the entire town...and most importantly to the viewing audience! Bianca actually becomes the star of this film,but it is due to Ryan Gosling's totally convincing performance that imbues the inanimate doll with a life that at first everyone humors, but eventually embraces.This film is about the intense need to belong to someone and the lengths to which humans will go to achieve connection in their own lives and to help others do so! This is DEFINITELY the Indie film of the Year.The fact that it was written by a writer of SIX FEET UNDER only further served to convince me why this limited arthouse release is so wonderful and clever.DO NOT MISS THIS FILM.DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO SEE IT!
  
  
• No man is happy without a delusion of some kind.Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities.-Christian Nevell Bovee
  By A37E6RW5BUX4U0 on 2008-07-19
  Lars is a quiet and introverted kind of guy. He goes to work every day then he comes home to the garage apartment he lives in, adjacent to the house he grew up in and is now owned by his brother and sister-in-law.
  
  As his pregnant sister-in-law's due date gets closer, Lars seems to emotionally and physically withdraw from his family and co-workers. Preferring to remain in the comforting small walls of his garage apartment, he starts garnering the concern of his sister-in-law. She fears he is too lonely and when all her attempts to include him and spend more time with him fail it seems all hope is lost. That is till he shows up to dinner one night asking if he can bring his new girlfriend. The excitement and relief Lars' family feels is short lived when his girlfriend ends up being an anatomically correct love doll he has named Bianca.
  
  At the recommendation and guidance of their small town doctor/psychiatrist, Lars' family goes along with his delusion, and then manages to convince the entire town to do the same.
  
  This movie had me laughing out loud and sobbing big ugly tears, I was charmed completely. The situations involving Bianca were equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. I have never wanted to hug a movie character more than I have wanted to hug Lars; my heart went out to him completely.
  
  I have a friend who hated this movie for the exact same reasons I enjoyed it so much. I loved the fact that the entire town rallied to welcome Bianca, even though they thought it was nuts, just to help a member of the community. I loved all the zany adventures Bianca went on, and I loved the town they lived in. I loved the fact that it was far fetched, but mostly I loved it because that's how a town SHOULD behave. People should go out of there way and do things to help someone in need once in awhile.
  
  With the help of the community, a wonderful doctor, his family and most importantly, Bianca, Lars heals. It's an emotional road to get there, but well worth the journey.
  
  Cherise Everhard, July 2008
  
  
• A Boy and His Doll
  By A18G7GG53G2X8A on 2007-11-20
  In "Lars and the Real Girl," Ryan Gosling plays a damaged young man who lives a delusion: he orders a life-sized sex doll from the Internet and interacts with it as if it were an actual living person. In order to help him work through this, the small town he lives in plays along, going so far as to include the doll as a member of the community. Clearly, this idea is completely unrealistic, downright implausible. But somehow, in some maddeningly unexplainable way, this film manages to be both engaging and endearing. Much like the character of Lars, we also buy into a delusional premise and see it through to the end. The film itself is the delusion, one of the most enjoyable delusions I've experienced this year.
  
  Almost as soon as the film begins, Lars' situation is made clear--despite having a job, despite being able to function on a daily basis, he's socially paralyzed, unable to strike up even the shortest of conversations. He avoids people like the plague, and should anyone try to approach him, he tenses up and looks away, retreating into a bubble that he doesn't want burst. No one understands this better than his pregnant sister-in-law, Karin (Emily Mortimer), who tries so hard to include him in her life that it's overbearing. Her husband, Gus (Paul Schneider)--who's also Lars' brother--is nowhere near as persistent, not because he doesn't love Lars, but because he just doesn't understand him. And since Lars lives in Gus' converted garage, which was built separately from the main house, neither he nor his wife have to travel far to see him.
  
  One day at work, Lars is shown a website that sells life-sized, anatomically correct female sex dolls. It's easy to assume that Lars has absolutely no interest in sex; I'd be surprised if he has even gotten his first kiss. We do know that Lars finds pretty much any form of physical contact painful, especially hugs. He describes the sensation later in the movie: being touched feels as uncomfortable as frozen feet suddenly warming up. We never really understand why he feels this way, but then again, we don't need to understand. It's enough to know that growing up, he was left alone with a heartbroken single father. What is important is that Lars' needs are strictly emotional; quite simply, this man is incredibly lonely.
  
  So imagine Karin and Gus' excitement when they hear that Lars has a visitor. And then imagine their shock when they discover that his "visitor" is actually a doll. Lars, of course, doesn't see things the same way; in his mind, his visitor is a woman named Bianca, a religious, handicapped young woman who's half Brazilian, half Danish. He says that they met on the Internet. In their confusion and frustration, Karin and Gus seek psychological counseling for Lars, and he receives it under the guise of Bianca's medical treatment (she has a disease that results in low blood pressure). Here enters Dr. Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson), a physician/psychologist who understands that Lars is using this delusion to fill some kind of void. She feels that only he can work through it--no one can convince him that his "girlfriend" is an inanimate object. The only thing that Karin and Gus can do is play along until Lars decides to give it up.
  
  The rest of the film follows an altogether charming path of discovery, not only in terms of Lars, but also in terms of those closest to him (as close as they can get, anyway). The community at large begins to accept Bianca as a regular person, including her in school functions, hospital visits, and even as a display model for a department store. Watching Lars interact with Bianca is like watching a child playing with his or her favorite toy--a young imagination attaches so much significance to toys, and often times, the creativity levels skyrocket. A cardboard box becomes an impenetrable fort. A plastic car becomes an intergalactic spaceship. And yes, a doll becomes a child's best friend. The conversations between Lars and Bianca speak volumes, despite using everyday language. Example: when Bianca is given a flower arrangement, Lars says something to the effect of, "They'll last forever because they're fake. Isn't that nice?"
  
  Gus is the only person reluctant to take part in Lars' delusion. His initial reaction is selfish: How will the town think of him, knowing that his brother is mentally unstable? But as the film progresses, Gus' emotional layers peel away, revealing shame and guilt over abandoning Lars at such a young age. It doesn't help that Bianca "sleeps" at his house, specifically in the bedroom once occupied by his mother (who is also a significant character, despite not appearing in the film). As much as Gus would hate to admit it, Bianca seems to have had a positive effect on the community, albeit an unconventional one. In an odd sort of way, she's even responsible for the growing relationship between Lars and a living woman--his coworker, Margo (Kelli Garner).
  
  It's this sense of social development and personal growth that made "Lars and the Real Girl" one of the most unexpectedly delightful films I've ever seen. No, it is not plausible in any way, shape, or form, and if it were telling any other story, I probably would have dismissed it. But in this case, that doesn't matter--it's not dependent on plausibility, but rather on emotion and its ability to resonate with the audience. And resonate, it does. I have no idea how it achieved this, I'm sorry to say. But whatever its method, this unbelievable movie is unbelievably good, working at the same wonderful, carefree level that a child's imagination works at.
  
  
• Expert Ensemble Brings a Delicate Heart to a Most Original Work
  By A13E0ARAXI6KJW on 2007-11-28
  This 2007 film's askew sensibilities and deadpan manner will be familiar to anyone who has watched HBO's Six Feet Under with any regularity since six episodes were written by the film's screenwriter, Nancy Oliver. However, coupled with Craig Gillespie's thoughtful and gently sauntering direction, her script has an added dimension of humanism that grounds the preposterous-sounding concept of a socially awkward, small-town bachelor who becomes enamored with a blow-up doll. The premise would seem ideal for Jim Carrey or Will Ferrell, but this is not a flat-out, slapstick comedy. It's actually a whimsical allegory that touches on serious issues related to emotional isolation and the unacknowledged inability to handle personal loss.
  
  The story focuses on 27-year old Lars Lindstrom, who lives in a garage apartment next to his older brother Gus and his pregnant wife Karin. Although she is the one who keeps cajoling Lars to join them for dinner and get him out of his shell, it is Lars' childish co-worker Kurt who inspires him to find a safe way to find a mate - by mail order in a big crate. Enter Bianca, the life-like mannequin whom Lars fantasizes to be a wheelchair-bound, orphaned registered nurse who happens to be a Brazilian missionary. He is so smitten with Bianca that Gus and Karin, both dumbfounded by this turn of events, seek the counsel of local physician and psychotherapist Dr. Dagmar, who recognizes Lars' dependence on Bianca as a serious mental illness that will require the rest of the town to treat Bianca as if she is alive. This is when the movie charms the most as if we have entered a Frank Capra alterna-universe of unconditional goodwill. The treat is in experiencing how far Gillespie, Oliver and the cast are willing to take us in having us embrace Bianca as a vital member of the community and how events being to challenge Lars' lifelong insulation from the rest of the world.
  
  Ideal casting has a lot to do with this special film's success beginning with Ryan Gosling's low-wattage turn as Lars. Although his emphatic blinking is a bit too theatrical a tic for such a potentially cartoonish character, the versatile actor (Half Nelson) manages to internalize Lars' pain in subtle, often painstaking ways. His quiet performance also helps make this movie much more of a seamless ensemble piece than it could have been with outstanding work from Paul Schneider (the smitten cop Brad in The Family Stone) as Gus in mercurial states of confusion, frustration and familial guilt; Emily Mortimer (the clueless wife Chloe in Woody Allen's Match Point) submerging her Britishness to bring a convincing, eager-to-please freshness to Karin; the always dependable Patricia Clarkson as the almost matter-of-fact Dr. Dagmar; and Kelli Garner (unrecognizable as the sickly Calista in Dreamland) best of all as Lars' perky, infatuated co-worker Margo. This is a film that brings unexpected joy through a level of character nuance too rarely found in American films today. At the same time, while it skirts the issue of mental illness, it does approximate its profound effects through its small, life-size moments rather than dramatically manipulative scenes. This one is a gem.
  
  
• The Sex doll that brings back "Lars" from Psychosis
  By A3RWR50VUII07D on 2007-11-21
  I think that I can safely predict that "Lars and the Real Girl" will win the Award for the most original screenplay of 2007.Yes, I will go out on a limb, but Nancy Oliver, a well known writer of the hit series "Six Feet Under" has created something so new,fresh and unusual that critics will be forced to stand up and acknowledge just how clever this script really is.Who would have thought of taking a socially repressed young man and bringing him out of his severe and debilitating pychosis through the aid of a sex doll named Bianca,but someone from "Six Feet Under?" Every character that Nancy Oliver has created is so complete and individually unique that they engross you in a vortex of laughter and heartfelt goodness.An entire family and town is changed by emotionally deficient Lars played by a most gifted and exacting Ryan Gosling giving a performance that already is beyond "The Notebook" and "Half Nelson."Gosling gives life,breath and soul to Bianca, and in doing so finds the liberating answer to his own disease.I will say no more,because this film is one delightfully unfolding surprise after another.Finally, a truly unforgettable film!
  
  
• One of the year's best
  By A13D4E28S63SYF on 2008-02-24
  To tell you the truth, at first I wasn't interested in seeing this movie. It sounded kinda hokey....about a guy who was dating a doll--and I mean a REAL doll. But then positive word-of-mouth got around so I decided to see it after all. I'm glad I did because I would have to say it's one of the year's best films. To me, not only was it about loneliness, but it was also about how an inanimate object can teach someone how to open up emotionally and interract in our society. This type of behavior should not be a surprise in modern times. I see it everywhere. Isn't it always easier to express and show our love for someone who doesn't talk back and cause us grief? Isn' that why a lot of lonely people have pets? As far as I'm concerned, Lars was behaving no differently than a dog owner. He had a lot of loving and caring to give to a woman but was afraid and probably didn't know how to do it. So he chose a doll called Bianca. Unfortunately, it's a sad reflection of our society on how disconnected we have become in this industrialized and computerized society. But enough with all this philosophical mumbo jumbo. LARS AND THE REAL GIRL was also REALLY funny. The performances were terrific--especially Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider. Not to sound condescending but LARS AND THE REAL GIRL seemed more like a foreign film--albeit a French film--than an American movie. You just don't see many films about ordinary people and their relationships with other people in a real and intimate way. Most American movies seem to contain either violence (e.g., NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, THE DEPARTED, etc.) or sex (do I really have to list them?). I would put LARS AND THE REAL GIRL right up there with WAITRESS, DAN IN REAL LIFE, and THE SAVAGES as some of the best films of the year. Highly recommended.
  
  
• "Bianca's In Town For A Reason" ~ A Bizarre Rite Of Passage
  By A141HP4LYPWMSR on 2008-05-06
  Synopsis; Lars (Ryan Gosling) lives out a quiet, solitary existence in the garage of the family house in a small town located somewhere in Midwest America. The likeable but evasive Lars has never come to grips with the loss of his Mother in childbirth, the ensuing grief of his Father over her death and the abandonment of his older brother who moved out shortly after the tragic event. Many years have passed since these events took place and Lars, now in his mid to late twenties is about to discover a rather bizarre and unorthodox way to deal with the trauma that has been sealed up inside. Lars has purchased a life size silicon doll named Bianca and introduces her to his brother (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law (Emily Mortimer) as his new girlfriend and love of his life. After consulting with the town physican/psychologist Lars delusion is allowed to extend into the community-at-large; his church, workplace, everywhere...
  
  Will time and communal support eventually bring Lars back to reality and the realization that Bianca is nothing more than a doll, or is he doomed to live out his delusion to the very end?
  
  Critique: When dealing with the complicated and intricate psychic constructs that lead to such interior psychological, emotional and social maladies of isolation and alienation one will discover there is no surefire therapeutic practice by which to guide one through their "Dark Night of the Soul" into the dawning of a glorious new day. The dark, bittersweet comedy from '07, `Lars and the Real Girl' tackles these difficult issues as it explores the thoughts and actions of its main character. The action is slow and at times tedious but the script is cleverly nuanced with dialogue layered with meaning and insight. You'll learn a lot about Lars and yourself if you're attentive.
  
  Rating: In some ways `Lars and the Real Girl' is more a meditative, introspective `rite of passage' than anything else. When approached with that in mind I think you'll agree with my -4 Stars- designation.
  
  P.S. If you like this film you'll also enjoy a wonderful Australian film from '06 titled `Opal Dreams' which is about a little girl with two imaginary friends. An undiscovered gem the entire family can enjoy.
  
  
• The oddest way ever to rejoin society in "Lars and the Real Girl"
  By AG5B52W3Z10V4 on 2007-11-21
  What is so amazingly fantastic about "Lars and the Real Girl" is that the premise of this film is so outrageous,and yet it touches and teaches about the ability of a young man to re-enter the mainstream of life out of the darkness of isolation through the help of a sex doll!That is preposterous, and yet I have never seen anything like it in film where it works on all levels.This film is so funny,and yet you are not sure that you should be laughing! One thing for sure, this film has such a big heart that shimmers from Ryan Gosling as Lars and the rest of this generous ensemble cast.The characters in this film are downright adorable.You learn to love everyone of them-even the sex doll,Bianca, who ends up being the most developed character of them all!Preposterous? Yes. This is one of the finest and most clever films ever made.With so many of the big blockbusters falling flat with their big budgets and Mercedes looks,comes this itty-bitty low budget Hyundai,with no special effects and no "People Magazine" stars and blows them all away.If the Globes or the Academy look the other way on this one, then we all need to hightail it to Canada from whence this diamond in the rough hails.Nancy Oliver, who wrote for years for Six Feet Under Seasons 1-5 Complete Series Boxset best be ready to walk that aisle to get a statue.Then again,rarely does this kind of film ever get the recognition it deserves from the "Award" experts.
  
  
• Sweet, smart and smile inducing...and without a smirk in sight
  By A2GCHG6U8HTVIT on 2008-01-10
  I can just hear the pitch to finance the movie if it had been the Farrelly Brothers' idea: "See, there's this stupid oddball played by that hunk Ryan Gosling -- well, okay, he's not a hunk but we'll have him work out with a personal trainer for six weeks -- and he gets this terrific idea to buy a life-size, anatomically correct plastic sex doll to be his girlfriend...yeah, you heard me right...anatomically correct. Wait, wait, stop smirking...it gets better. We got jokes out the kazoo about Gosling `bathing' his girlfriend, `undressing' his girlfriend and putting his girlfriend `to bed.' Then...what'd you say...how much do we want? Well, we estimate $90 million without CGI, $140 million with CGI. What's the CGI for? Just look at these sketches. We'll use CGI to make the plastic doll do things, if you get our meaning. What? You'll finance for $140 million with a 15 percent off-budget kickback and you want a set of the sketches? Done!"
  
  The Farrelly Brothers, thank goodness, didn't make Lars and the Real Girl. It's a small, independent film written by Nancy Oliver and directed by Craig Gillespie. It's a gentle story about Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling), a nice, delusional young man everyone in his town likes, but Lars is dealing with a lot of problems. He's so shy and withdrawn it's painful. He can't stand being touched. He spends his evenings sitting in a chair in the small remodeled garage he lives in, just staring out the window at the snow. His brother, Gus (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law, Karin (Emily Mortimer), who live in the family house next to the garage, try to bring him into their lives. Lars is so uncomfortable with others it takes a lot of persistence for Karin even to get him to walk a few yards over for dinner. But then Lars by chance sees a website that features love dolls. A few days later a large box is delivered to the family house. It's not long before Lars tells Gus and Karin that he'll be by for dinner...with his girlfriend, Bianca, a young woman who is confined to a wheelchair because she can't walk, doesn't speak English and is passive to a fault. The relationship is so innocent and touching that it soon is clear, helped by the family doctor played by Patricia Clarkson, that Lars may be trying to deal with his strangeness in his own way. And, says Dagmar the doctor, it would be best to accept his fantasies with matter-of-fact courtesy and understanding. Lars is doing no harm. It's not long before everyone in town has not only met Bianca, but accepts her...and we know they are doing this because they genuinely care for Lars Lindstrom and want the best for him. As Bianca, with Lars by her side, goes to meetings and dances (she's even elected to the school board), we can see that Dagmar may be right about Lars.
  
  What happens to Lars? What happens to Bianca? Let's just say that there is a death in the family and we later leave the movie happy and content. Lars and the Real Girl doesn't have a smirk or a smutty joke in sight. It's a touching and sweet movie, well acted, intelligently written and directed...and based on an absurd premise. But it all works.
  
  
• Is this the movie for you?
  By AEK2F5IOIYPBX on 2008-06-12
  Please consider the following:
  
  1. This movie requires some suspension of disbelief, especially in terms of the town's reaction to Lars. I could see a small, close-knit town reacting this way, but it's certainly a stretch. If you're a person who needs strict "realism" in your movies, turn elsewhere.
  
  2. THIS MOVIE IS NOT A COMEDY. It may be "whimsical," but it is not a laugh out loud, hilarious romp (get Superbad if you're looking for that)
  
  3. Some may find Gosling's character annoying, especially at first, when he is truly an introverted, odd, awkward young man. Gosling does not go out of his way to make Lars likeable or "cuddly."
  
  4. If you are in the field of mental health, such as myself, I strongly recommend this movie. I love the movie's concept of "shared delusions" and it has a lot to say about how we treat the mentally ill.
  
  As for myself, I actually had to sit and think a bit (I also watched the extras, which are really good) to digest what I had seen and to measure my reaction to the movie. The makers of this film clearly put a lot of heart and soul into it, which in and of itself makes it worth seeing, in my mind. It is not "mindless" or "trite" or full of explosions. It is a modest little movie which tries to make you think about human relationships and the meaning of "community." Nice work.
  
  
• Tough to describe.
  By A1I7QGUDP043DG on 2008-06-12
  This is one of the most difficult movies to try to explain to someone. The story is a very unique and fresh concept that had me both laughing and teary-eyed, sometimes at almost the same time. A young man who is emotionally shut off and unraveling suddenly clings to a 'love doll' he purchases online. 'Bianca' isn't a real girl, but she keeps him from having to face his real phobias as he makes up a personality, past, etc. for her, and truly believes in it. Since the doctor fears a breakdown if his friends and family don't 'play along', the entire town helps by pretending Lars' mannequin girlfriend is real, even the 'real girl' who has a crush on him. The story was even more hilarious when I found out the online site Lars ordered Bianca from is an actual love doll website! They really thought 'outside the box' on this one.
  
  Chrissy K. McVay - Author
  
  
• Angel Plasticus
  By AQSQLWD3NLMAS on 2007-12-04
  Director Craig Gillespie espouses a New York state of mind, after directing very successful commercials for over 16 years. He was born in Sydney, Australia, and he graduated from a NYC Art School. His first feature film, MR. WOODCOCK (2007), tanked at the box office even though it starred Billy Bob Thornton, and Susan Sarandon. It is possible that the movie released was not his director's cut, or his vision. The LA Times reported that David Dobkin was "brought in" to direct 3 weeks of re-shoots. Considering that most comedies of this ilk are shot in a month, it makes one wonder how much of Gillespie's film was left intact. Regardless, he has sprung back with a vengeance finishing up and releasing his second feature, LARS AND THE REAL GIRL (2007). It was shot in just 31 days. Gillespie had a momentary career as an actor in 1997, doing a walk on in HOTEL DE LOVE. He presently enjoys a reputation as an "actor friendly" kind of director, and he certainly managed to get wonderful performances from his entire cast on LARS.
  
  LARS was written by Nancy Oliver. She is a playwright, like Alan Ball another playwright that worked with her on the HBO series SIX FEET UNDER. She has what I consider an excellent ear for realistic dialogue. She has written a script for LARS where every character is important, necessary, and integral to the whole--pregnant with drama, humor, and the best kinds of human interaction. She and director Gillespie took a subject matter that easily could have lurched into a downward spiral of crudeness that would have made the Farrelly Brothers giddy. Remarkably, sensitively, no character in LARS is made a fool of, is forced to clown around or burlesque the situation, and is not ever expected to sink into a trite and crass caricature that must spew smut for smirks. Regardless of a lackluster trailer, or an "iffy" choice of plot device, understand that there is never anything scatological about LARS. Its inherent decency outshines its odd and unique turn of events.
  
  Ryan Gosling soars and shines in the lead role of Lars Lindstrom. Nominated for a Best Actor Oscar last year for HALF NELSON (2006), he seems to get better with every film role that comes his way -not bad for an actor who was a Mouseketeer with Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. His Lars is both heartfelt and gut-wrenching, done miraculously without raising his voice. His internal monologue was crystal clear to him, and the camera lens catches it all, the back story, the pain, the fear, and ultimately the joy. His eyes mirror miles of unspoken history, and he was not out of character for even a millisecond. His Lars is a laconic loner who chooses to live in the family garage, who holds down a good and solid job, who attends church regularly, who dresses well and acts appropriately in public. He was not mentally ill; rather mentally still born, wound up as tight as a Rolex mainspring, a man who would rather sit in solitude than embrace "acceptable" levels of socialization.
  
  Lars' brother, Gus (Paul Schneider), and sister-in-law, Karin (Emily Mortimer) try repeatedly to draw Lars feet first out of his preferred loneliness. It is Karin mostly who leads the assault; tackling him in the snow to make a point, even though she is pregnant. They feel that somehow Lars' behavior reflects their "neglect", and so they toil incessantly to drag Lars into the family unit. Lars resists, making promises and then breaking them, making up excuses and lying to friends and family that offer him opportunities to socialize. He only feels "safe" within himself, alone, where his active daydreams could endeavor to counter his dark nightmares.
  
  One day, perhaps tired of the constant cajoling, Lars announced that he now had a "girlfriend" named Bianca, from Brazil, who spoke very little English, and used a wheelchair. Then he brought her in, carrying in his arms a very expensive anatomically-correct helium-filled sex doll, a silicone Sally, and he placed it on the couch next him. He immediately began to talk to her as if she were real, imagining her verbal responses and sharing them. In one of the film's most hilarious scenes, after overcoming the initial shock of this situation, Gus and Karin feel compelled to go along with the "illusion", the fantasy; not seeing it as a ruse, which it might have been. After a few days of this pretense, Gus confronted Lars, informing him that Bianca was not "real". Lars never wavered, paid no attention to him -gave him no reaction at all. So Gus shrugged and returned to his part in the active fantasy.
  
  Through deft direction, artful and clever writing, and terrific acting, we soon witness every character in the story "accept" Bianca as a sentient being, interact with her, and fully integrate her presence, and the notion that Lars and Bianca were a couple, into their daily lives, into the daily goings-on within the community. By virtue of this loving gesture, they soon see Lars, for the first time, reaching out and beginning to shed part of his emotional shell. The "couple" join in and attend parties, church, volunteer at the hospital, and at the school, get involved with the PTA. Children especially love Bianca. Soon she becomes the town "sweetheart", and townsfolk are picking her up for her volunteer work and appointments, like at the beauty shop, by herself. Lars is no longer required to accompany her, and at first this really incensed him. But the largest miracle of this movie is by mid-point we the viewers began to accept Bianca as real. Several times in scenes I swore I saw her head turn slightly, or her eyelashes flicker. When Lars began to realize that he, too, could relate to others without Bianca in attendance, he began to formulate a plan.
  
  Patricia Clarkson, always reliable, was solid, engaging, warm, and lonely as Dagmar, the town doctor -who also happened to be a psychologist. "All doctors have to have a background in psychology to work this far North," Karin said early on. Kelli Garner played Margo, a lonely co-worker with ticks and needs of her own, who kept trying to get Lars interested in her, and her performance was touching and effective. Nancy Beatty played Mrs. Gruner, a nice neighbor, who stole every scene she was in as a no-nonsense loving presence. R.D. Reid was also quite good as Reverend Bock, who facilitated the entering in of the fantasy.
  
  This film tugged hard at my heart strings. By the roll of the ending credits one could hear sniffling aplenty on all sides. We take serious all the transitions that Lars endures and induces as a 27 year old man boy; issues of when does one become "grown up", and what exactly does it mean to "be a man". We discovered what it was that created the sadness within him, that shut him off from others -and we smiled and silently cheered as he resisted it, refocused it, pushing it aside as he moved on toward a more meaningful life. Yes, we could see the "feel good" ending approaching, but alas we were happy to welcome it.
  
  
  
• Lars and The Real Girl
  By A2YOHR785MFMGG on 2008-03-07
  Lars and The Real Girl is a story about a man with a delusion. This man, Lars aka Mr Sunshine, is a sweet and shy soul living in a small town. He has difficulty being sociable and is not good with people. If they even so much as touch him, it is physically painful for him. A colleague at work introduces him to the idea of purchasing a sex-doll over the Internet. He does so, after not being really taken with the idea at first. A few days later, a huge box arrives. This is the arrival of Bianca, the love doll that causes all the trouble but fixes everything, without so much as saying a word. When Lars tells his brother, Gus, and sister-in-law, Karin, played by Paul Schneider (Assassination of Jesse James) and Emily Mortimer (Match Point, 30 Rock), that he has a visitor, they are extremely glad that he is being sociable. To their shock and horror, Bianca is cold, shiny plastic. The only thing they can come up with is to take Lars to a shrink and disguise his mental help by taking Bianca along so she can receive a check up. The general practitioner/psychologist tells Gus and Karin that Lars has a delusion and needs this doll to work up the courage and strength to make it in a real relationship. By real I mean, a traditional man-women twosome. The shrink, Dagmar, played by Patricia Clarkson, tells them he will get over his delusion when he needs to, and that Bianca is in town for a reason. Gus and his wife pass on this news to the rest of community asking them to take part in making Bianca feel at home and act like it is actually a she.
  
  They all do so, and this is where the story becomes remarkable. Margo, a new girl at Lars' workplace, fancies him, but she has competition with Bianca. He continues to form a meaningful relationship with the doll for most of the film, but his delusion wears off when he realizes Margo has found another man. Needless to say, Bianca, who at this point almost feels like a character with blood running though her veins and a larger than life persona due to all the fuss she creates, is no longer needed, and Lars can finally pursue a relationship with Margo when she breaks it off with her boyfriend/colleague.
  
  The direction and writing of the film is remarkable. The audience is drawn into this simple story with big heart, especially through the intense and honest performance by Ryan Gosling. I think the film had less to do with a man with a mental illness overcoming his imagined fears and more with a lonely man who is able to learn to accept others through human kindness and sensitivity. The film never felt overly calculated to me, and never seemed to be begging for sentimental laughs and tears; it had all the right ingredients to make it a memorable sensitive comedy-drama. I loved it so much that I saw it twice in two days.
  
  
  
  
• A quirky yet heartwarming film
  By A3IXZJ1L73DYTA on 2008-04-17
  There is something not quite right about Lars. Everyone loves Lars but he keeps his distance. He lives in the garage while his brother and sister-in-law live in the house. No one seems to be able to reach Lars until his girlfriend Bianca arrives. Of course, she arrives in a box and needs some assembling but she is real to Lars. What makes this movie so heartwarming is the love of his family and friends as they decide to play along with Lars and welcome the not so real Bianca into their lives.
  LARS AND THE REAL GIRL is not for everyone but the sweetness is endearing and it's nice to have a break from the usual movie plot
  
  
• insulting pandering disneyfied drivel
  By A26GZ0ESP7P3Z6 on 2008-05-13
  i don't know how its getting any good reviews. it is a fundamentally boring film. it takes an unrealistic portrayal of mental illness and tries to trudge through a formulaic lifetime cable tv drama plot where nothing is real. it also plays it so safe that this mans relationship with the doll is chaste. and of course he would also have a relatively attractive real woman constantly throwing herself at him despite his obvious mental illness. it just has the same scene of uncomfortable everyone watching lars talking to his doll, and everyone acting "normal" around him trying to play along..and everyone is so cooperative and helpful repeating over and over, it just gets old very fast. this film has no where to go and nothing real to say. it takes an interesting concept and turns it into trite feel good predictable blandness. its not just pop psychology or really bad pop psychology corrupting this film, no character in this film is believable. this is really one of the worst films of the year.
  
  
• Unexpectedly Effective
  By A3DUV51XDENRNR on 2008-06-03
  I can't remember a film I was as reluctant to see as this one. Its trailers seemed particularly unpromising... a comedy about a man and his inflatable girlfriend? Ick.
  
  Obviously, I was wrong. First, the doll isn't inflatable. Second, the story is outrageously sweet and affecting. I should point out that at some stage in this movie, I made a choice to view the story as allegorical. Otherwise, the notion of an entire town "playing along" with one man's delusion was just too unrealistic.
  
  But by disconnecting my need for everything to make sense, I was rewarded with a funny, touching, and even brave film unlike anything I've ever seen before.
  
  
• Arguably the best film of 2007
  By A1GUL9QXKKE2VM on 2007-11-29
  I remember seeing a preview for "Lars and the Real Girl" a number of weeks ago. I instantly thought that this was a movie I needed to see. I waited (somewhat impatiently) for the movie to go from "limited" release to "national" release. I saw it the first Saturday it was available at my local AMC Theater. The movie was everything that I thought it would be, and more. It had comedy; it had drama; it was emotionally moving; it made me laugh and, literally, made me cry. I was so touched by this inspiring film that I wanted to take my parents to see it the following weekend. Imagine my shock when I looked up movie times for the next Saturday and realized that all but one time -- a late night hour -- was available. The movie was barely in my local AMC theater for two full weeks, and that crushed me, because this movie deserves recognition and praise for the wonderful acting, script, and moving story.
  
  Please, do not ignore this movie -- if it is still listed in your local movie theater, go and see it. If it is not, wait for a DVD release (as I am) and buy it. You will not be disappointed.
  
  --Jessica
  
  
• Wonderful
  By A2I0CEBYLTLMXS on 2007-12-06
  The movie we wanted to see was sold out, so we settled for Lars and the Real Girl, having heard very little about it. Wow. What a wonderful surprise. This is the touching story of a lonely and disturbed man (Ryan Gosling, who's absolutely amazing in the role) who orders a sex (or love) doll - and thinks she's his girlfriend. The movie, which is funny and compassionate, shows the effects that "Bianca" has not only on Lars, but on his family, and his whole town. Do yourself a favor: go see Lars and the Real Girl.
  
  
• A Lovable Freak
  By AI8X8Y6KU7XXK on 2008-03-25
  In a hundred years of cinema, there's never been anything quite like Lars and the Real Girl, the new film from director Craig Gillespie and writer Nancy Oliver (Six Feet Under). Lars (Ryan Gosling) is not quite right in the head; he keeps to himself, he can't bear to be touched, and he resists the efforts of his sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) to draw him out of his self-imposed solitude. Then one day, he asks Karin and his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) if he can bring over a friend. They are delighted, until Lars' friends turns out to be an "anatomically correct" silicon love doll named Bianca. Lars informs them that Bianca is Brazilian/Danish, that she's shy and doesn't talk much, and that, being deeply religious, she doesn't feel comfortable sleeping alone with Lars (in the garage where he lives). So Karen and Dave agree to put Bianca up in their place and, convinced Lars has lost his marbles, they suggest that Bianca visit the local G.P, Dr. Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson) for a check-up, hoping to put Lars under observation. After meeting Bianca, Dr. Dagmar suggests that, for the time being, they go along with Lars' fantasy and see what happens. Before long the whole town has agreed to treat Bianca as real: she attends church, has her hair done, and eventually gets accepted on the local school board.
  
  Funny as it is, Lars and the Real Girl isn't really a comedy; and although it's an exquisitely tender-hearted film, it's never sentimental (having a silicon sex-doll at its center pretty much makes sure of that). Like Lars himself, the movie doesn't allow itself to be categorized. It's a lovable oddity in a felicitous "tradition" of flukes that includes Harold and Maude, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Donnie Darko, and United States of Leland (also with Gosling), movies that by all rights shouldn't work but somehow do. Lars and the Real Girl takes us into unexplored realms of humor and pathos, areas of experience that--outside of real life--probably only these oddball empathic American movies can provide.
  
  As played by Gosling, Lars is a prodigy as well as a freak; he's impossible to get a handle on. How much does he believe Bianca is real? We never know for sure. Lars has a sweetness and vulnerability that's both heartbreaking and heartening, but there's a solidness to him too, a determination and directness. He's a survivor, and though he may be delusional, he's not solipsist. He stays true to his delusions, his fantasy world has a life it its own (he fights with Bianca when he feels she is becoming too independent). Before we know it, the plastic Bianca begins to seem real to us, too.
  
  In interviews, Gosling has remarked upon the similarity between Lars' peculiar affection for Bianca and the love children feel for stuffed toys (Gosling observes how the love children feel for their toys is genuine even though it is never returned). This similarity is made explicit in the movie when Lars gives mouth-to-mouth to a co-worker's teddy bear (Margo, played by Kelli Garner, in a lovely, soulful performance). Like a child, Lars loves from both sides, and by the end of the movie his weird delusion has come to seem almost enlightened, like saintly, unconditional love. (What could be more selfless than loving someone who can never love us back?)
  
  Lars learns how to relate to others by finding the soul in an inanimate object, and by finding his own capacity to love, he discovers his own soul. And the whole town learns by his example. Lars' delusion has the power of vision: it transforms reality into something better than it was before. With its kooky, off-kilter wisdom and its dead-on portrait of small-town Americana (where everyone's a freak on the inside), Lars and the Real Girl is enough to restore your faith in human nature. It's a goddamned miracle.
  
  
  
• Trying to Find Love in a Plastic World ...
  By A2LW5AL0KQ9P1M on 2008-04-27
  Misled into believing this was an indie comedy, I popped-in this DVD and found myself in tears about thirty minutes later. I pushed pause and double-checked the description ... yes, comedy. I returned to the film confused and trying to decipher if there was something amiss with me (I'm not an emotional person, let alone hyperemotional) or with the film ... I ultimately decided the fault resides with whomever billed this work as a comedy.
  
  Ryan Gosling lends the character of Lars (a deeply disturbed man) tremendous sensitivity. Through facial expressions and body language, Gosling communicates the torment that Lars cannot verbally articulate. The honest portrayal of Lars' supportive yet struggling family is gripping. Their justified pessimism ("he may never get better") and embarrassment translates as genuine ... and painful. The love they provide Lars is touching -- the viewer is compelled to wonder if he/she embodies such compassion.
  
  And while the manner in which his surrounding community embraces Lars may seem improbable to most, if you are from a small town you know your share of eccentrics ... and you know how a community can rally around these folks. Watching Lars' neighbors lend support is initially tense (how long will they humor this man?) and ultimately reaffirming.
  
  I think the actor who genuinely makes this film compelling is Patricia Clarkson (who plays Lar's physician). Her performance is warm yet nuanced. The viewer is drawn to her character's wisdom and benevolence... she is the film's point of stability.
  
  Yes, this work may have had some (uncomfortable) laughs, but there is an intense sense of tragedy which overrides the humor. But, that's why we love indie films, because they are complicated ... because they don't offer easy answers. I guess the best way for me to communicate the tone of the film is to say ... there were more tears than laughs.
  
  Highly recommended ... just not as a comedy.
  
  
• Wow: Gosling is Great in this movie
  By A3P9D22KDEXVMN on 2008-05-01
  There will be those that will not watch this movie based on the bizarre plot in which Lars (played to perfection by the ultr-talented Ryan Gosling) orders a life-size doll to serve as his companion. It will be their loss. This is a great movie that is worth the purchase. The acting in the film is top-notch and you can't help but care about the characters. Even, believe it or not, Lars's girlfriend Bianca. Note: Bianca is the doll. This is a dramedy with some poignant moments mixed in with some true belly laughs. A 5 star delight.
  
  
• Such a charm of a film
  By AKAVQFZN8OQ97 on 2008-05-02
  This movie was absolutely beautiful. No one else but Ryan Gosling could of brought such light and charm to this character Lars. It is a very unique and touching story. The script is beautifully written. Not once does it become kitchy or predictable. Now it seems hollywood makes the same film over and over, this film is truely unique. It is so much more than about a man who falls in love with a sex doll, but of a man joining life.
  
  
• A contrarian's view
  By A2R1HAXRNU0QX7 on 2008-05-17
  A few years ago, a major reviewer deeply criticized the movie O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?...primarily because he felt that the movie was mostly a condescending insult to the culture of the deep South...that it made fun of the people it was depicting. The reviewer had similar troubles with the Coen Brothers depiction of the residents of small towns in Minnesota in FARGO.
  
  I had no such qualms. However, after having seen LARS AND THE REAL GIRL, I now understand how the critic felt.
  
  Here we have a movie set in a small town somewhere up north (the movie was filmed in Canada). Lars is a young man, living in the converted detached garage of his brother and sister-in-law. He's a deeply quiet, shy and clearly troubled young man. He has a terrible moustache but clearly a gentle nature. He doesn't date, and can barely bring himself to socialize. At work, he interacts with his co-workers as little as possible. In fact, there isn't too much that is initially likeable about him.
  
  One day a large box arrives for Lars, and hours later, he shows up at his brother's house, asking if he can bring his new girlfriend to dinner. His family is delighted, and are ready to eagerly greet the young lady. Lars then wheels in his wheelchair-bound sweetie, Bianca. There is one small additional problem...Bianca is a "sex doll." Although, thankfully, her mouth isn't in the shape of an "o"...she IS anatomically correct. Lars' shocked family doesn't quite know how to react, but they sure know Lars is not in his right mind.
  
  Caring deeply for their family member, they are able to trick Lars into attending a kind of therapy with a sympathetic doctor (Patricia Clarkson)...who decides that everyone must simply play along with Lars' delusion, and in fact, make Bianca feel at home.
  
  This is where much of the film lost me. I understand the whimsical idea that this little town full of simple, trusting folks go out of their way to pretend Bianca is real. Heck, they start inviting her to clubs and other events. She attends church. And the townspeople beam at the young couple happily. Lars begins to emerge from his shell a little bit, only to reveal himself to be a jealous boyfriend, prone to anger and to clinging. But what the scenes also do is make the townspeople look like idiots and buffoons.
  
  I get it: they are kind, compassionate, open-minded and happy to take care of one of their own who is troubled. I don't have a problem with that notion. But the execution of the film just made me look at all these people and wonder...don't any of them have a bone of irony? Don't any of them ever snigger behind their hands or gossip when Lars isn't around? Won't any one of them say "Give me a break...she's a flippin' doll!!" This blind adherence to the quest to go along with whatever delusion Lars wants to enjoy makes the film languish with the same tone for a good, long chunk of time.
  
  The best parts of the film are the brother and sister-in-law. Paul Schneider (SO good in ALL THE REAL GIRLS) is the confused, loving brother. He, more than anyone, understands the heartache and loss that has molded Lars to be the way he is. He feels the guilt of not having shielded his younger brother. It's a lovely depiction of the complicated, exasperated love a man can have for his brother. As the kindly and radiantly pregnant sister-in-law, Emily Mortimer shines. Their scenes together and with Lars are the real emotional heart of the film, and are the main reason to see it.
  
  Ryan Gosling is a VERY talented actor, capable of a WIDE range. However, his Lars...to me, at least...is an easy series of ticks and goofy smiles. No doubt Gosling has internalized his character...but the script gives him nothing more to do than be a slightly goofy young man with some deep delusions. I wanted to like the performance more...but I felt I'd pretty much seen all there was to see of Lars in the first 15 minutes.
  
  The movie builds to a conclusion many will find satisfying...but it actually left me questioning just what Lars did near the end. If his delusion was real to him...then his actions are far from harmless.
  
  Anyway, this is a quaint movie that thinks it is saying a lot more than it is. To me, it mostly said, "hey, if you happen to be insane and delusional...pray you live in a small town where they don't know any better than to smile at you and play along." I know many will disagree with my take...and I admit it comes from a very visceral level...but hey, sometimes a movie just strikes you wrong.
  
  But don't let me steer you clear. There are two really nice performances...and for many, the movie is a sweet, satisfying story. I hope it is for you.
  
  
• `Lars' is the real deal...
  By ANCOMAI0I7LVG on 2008-06-03
  Last year saw the return (or I should say the `embrace') of the quirky comedy, with Oscar nominee `Juno' garnering much attention, respect and love from countless fans. Another quirky comedy that gained some awards traction but far less attention was `Lars and the Real Girl', a preposterous story that is elevated by some very fine performances and a heaping serving of heart. When comparing the two films I can't help but admit that my preference lies with `Juno' as far as entertainment goes. `Juno' is fast paced and engrossing, quick witted and `laugh-out-loud' funny. `Lars...' is a different breed of film altogether. It is slower paced and solemn, quiet and distilled in moments and has a much deeper and, quite frankly, more important story to tell. Both are very good films, truth be told, but each has a very different effect on the audience.
  
  `Lars and the Real Girl' tells of the strange love story between Lars and Bianca. Lars is a quiet young man who lives in the shed behind his brother's home. He keeps to himself despite his sister-in-laws efforts to engage him in conversation. He works hard and resists the efforts of young and attractive women who seem interested in a relationship with him. He is guarded and afraid and content in hiding behind his guards. Bianca is a crippled missionary (ex-missionary) who met Lars online and has come to visit. Because of her strict religious background Lars has asked his brother and sister-in-law if Bianca could stay with them while she's in town.
  
  Oh yeah, Bianca is an adult blow-up doll.
  
  It's apparent that Lars is suffering from a delusional state of mind. He believes that Bianca is a real person and he engages her in conversation as if this were true. After seeking help from the family doctor, Lars loved ones decide to play along with this charade to hopefully help snap him back into reality.
  
  `Lars and the Real Girl' definitely suspends the boundaries of disbelief, especially when the entire town starts playing along with Lars' delusion, but the film never strays from the warmth buried at its center. The film never feels as preposterous as it truly is because it always carries a feeling of tender sincerity. This is due in large part to some very, very fine performances.
  
  Ryan Gosling is touching and capable as Lars Lindstrom. We see a sad and lonely man repressed by his own feelings and forced into hiding behind a false wall of security in order to spare himself heartbreak and or destitution. The only issue I have with Gosling's performance is that it often feels one-note. That one-note is played beautifully, don't get me wrong, but it is still one-note. Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider on the other hand prove to be the heart and soul of this film. As Karin, Lars' sister-in-law, Mortimer is emotionally connected to the audience. She cares deeply for Lars and is trying desperately to understand his condition. She wants to help him so much so that she almost at times encourages his delusion. Paul Schneider is even more breathtaking. He had such a banner year last year, between his stunning performance in `Lars...' and his flawless performance in `...Jesse James...'. As Gus, Lars' brother, Paul covers each and every varying emotion (shock, tolerance, guilt, shame, love, desperation) magically. There is a moment, when Gus and Karin, Lars and Bianca are sitting in the waiting room at Dagmar's office and you can just read the discomfort all over Paul's face. It's marvelous acting. This man better get the career he deserves.
  
  The cast of supporting characters are all fine as well; Kelli Garner embracing her characters quirks and idiosyncrasies and Patricia Clarkson (who is just always on point) doing her best to work with the stale `psychologist' role; but truth be told, this movie belongs to Mortimer and Schneider.
  
  I do wish that the script had been tweaked a tad, in order to allow the audience to come to understand Lars a little better. The film clocks in under two-hours (although the film does tend to feel much longer) and probably could have been lengthened a tad to allow for us to really grasp his condition. His delusion is given reasons, but they are reasons that are generic and predictable and could have and should have been expounded. Maybe that would have allowed for Gosling to explore a varying array of emotions and really flesh out his character.
  
  In the end I highly recommend `Lars...' despite that minor flaw. The film is touching and sweet and, while it is marketed as a comedy and I did laugh out loud in a few scenes, it has a warmth of soul that is often not found in big budget comedies today. It feels `independent' and that adds a layer of rawness to the finished product. `Lars and the Real Girl' is a memorable film that will move you in ways you may not have imagined, and that is always a good thing.
  
  

• Juno (Single-Disc Edition)
• The Savages
• Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
• Death at a Funeral
• Charlie Wilson's War (Full Screen)