The search for true love begins outside the box.
Written by Six Feet Under scribe Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl is a heartfelt comedy starring Ryan Gosling as Lars Lindstrom, an awkwardly shy young man in a small northern town who finally brings home the girl of his dreams to his brother and sister-in-law's home. The only problem is that she's not real - she's a sex doll Lars ordered off the internet. But sex is not what Lars has in mind, but rather a deep, meaningful relationship. His sister-in-law is worried for him, his brother thinks he's nuts, but eventually the entire town goes along with his delusion in support of this sweet natured boy that they've always loved.
Special Agent Matti
Lars and the Real Girl is one of those rare beasts, an original movie. Most sex dolls are kept quietly in the privacy of one's own home but this girl gets a life. A real life, out in the real world, away from the imagination of our boy Lars. What a hoot.
As for Ryan Gosling, this role shows why he's the prince of independent pictures. He throws himself totally into the character; there's nary a hint of his real personality (unless he's a post-traumatic, developmentally-delayed twentysomething psycho).
Of course, the best drama comes from the way that Lars' disorder affects those around him as the family and the townsfolk fall into crisis. How would you react if your brother brought home a sex doll and told you that it was his girlfriend? Heh, heh. Nancy Oliver really gets into her characters' hearts and minds with this one. Often dramatic, occasionally funny, always dark, Lars and the Real Girl is all set to be an art-house favourite.
The black comedy movie Lars and the Real Girl is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider.
PG (Mild sexual references)
106 minutes (1:46 hours)
Film: 3 April 2008
