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Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Lars and the Real Girl

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

Lars (Gosling) has some issues...he lives in the garage of his parents home, has an awkward relationship with his brother Gus (Schneider), his pregnant sister-in-law Karin (Mortimer) has to attack him to get him to come to dinner, and he tries to keep to himself. And then Bianca comes into his life. Bianca is a lifesize sex doll (who is anatomically correct). Bianca is introduced when a giddy Lars brings her to dinner at his brother's house.

Gus and Karin play along for the evening and suggest taking Bianca to see Dagmar (Clarkson) the local doctor who also happens to be a psychiatrist. After meeting with Lars and Bianca she tells everyone to play along and treat Bianca as if she were a real person. Some people are shocked, so refuse to play along, but some embrace Bianca and welcome her to their town. Leading the pack are Margo (Garner) who works with Lars and has feelings for him, and Mrs. Gruner (Beatty) who takes care of the flowers at the church.
I know it sounds a bit tasteless, but "Lars and the Real Girl" is a really sweet movie. Bianca is not treated as a sex doll (other than everyone's reactions to her), she becomes a character in her own right. I noticed slight changes in 1.) my perception of Bianca, 2.) the other characters responses to Bianca, and 3.) the way she was portrayed on screen...as the film progressed, and I appreciate that this was not just a one joke film "...this guy carries around a sex doll". It has heart.


The cast was amazing, very vulnerable while still convincing. Ryan Gosling is amazing (this comes from someone who HATED, LOATHED, and otherwise DESPISED the film "The Notebook", seriously, what is the deal with that film? But I digress), you love him and can understand why his entire town cares about him enough to go along with his delusion. Equally compelling is Patricia Clarkson's Dagmar and her relationship with Lars... And Emily Mortimer shines in every scene as Karin. Overall an exceptional film that most people won't see because they can't understand the premise.

Dude, it's quotable: more than anything else, you'll laugh-out-loud and truly enjoy this story
Rent it!: worthwhile and enjoyable!

Lars and the Real Girl (2007) 106 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some sex-related content
Director: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Ryan Gosling as Lars Lindstrom
Emily Mortimer as Karin Lindstrom
Paul Schneider as Gus Lindstrom
Dagmar as Patricia Clarkson
Kelli Garner as Margo
Nancy Beatty as Mrs. Gruner

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