Review of Lars and the Real Girl (2007) by Remote G — 27 Jan 2011

By Lesley Pinder for remotegoat on 01/04/08.

If all you knew of this film were the images from the marketing posters then you could very easily misinterpret what type of film it is and sadly, choose not to go and see it. That would be a great loss. This is a wonderfully understated, funny and surprisingly moving story of a troubled man whose family and community rally around him in his time of need. The marketing team for this film should be fired as the posters suggest it is a lame screwball comedy about a man with a rubber sex doll. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Lars (Ryan Gosling) is a sweet likable man troubled by his past, so much so that he is literally unnerved by human touch, who lives in the garage outside his family home. His older brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) live in the main house and keep an eye on the oddly behaved Lars. One day, Lars comes home and announces that he has met someone, a lovely Brazilian woman called Bianca who he has fallen head over heels for. Delighted, Gus and Karin agree that Bianca can stay in their guest room. When she moves in, they are shocked to discover that Bianca is not a real girl at all, but a lifesize doll that Lars has ordered over the internet.

Terrified that Lars is completely mentally unstable, Gus and Karin take him to a psychiatrist (Patricia Clarkson) who tells them that in order for Lars to work through his issues and come out the other side, they need to accept Bianca as a real person and encourage Lars' delusion. They call a meeting with the local townsfolk and ask for their help to maintain the 'lie'. The community, led by an overwhelming desire to see someone they care about get better, welcome Bianca into their hearts and lives, inviting her to parties, hiring her as an employee and even electing her to the school board.

The film may be slightly unrealistic but it is filled with such a sense of hope that I really don't think that matters. So an entire town probably wouldn't be so accepting of a man suffering so openly with mental illness, but wouldn't it be wonderful if they were? Besides, the performances, setting and tone are so realistic and natural that you totally believe in the story. Ryan Gosling is outstanding as Lars and Emily Mortimer brings a warmth and compassion to Karin that makes her relationship with her brother-in-law a particularly endearing one.

The entire supporting cast are excellent and the restrained direction from Craig Gillespie allows the story to speak for itself. At times laugh-out-loud funny yet at other times heartbreakingly sad, this is one of those movies that people need to spread the word about. Because if everyone believes the posters, no-one will ever see what is ultimately a delightful and moving film.