Lars and the Real Girl
by Craig Gillespie
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Emily Mortimer, Kelli Garner, Paul Schneider, R.D. Reid, Ryan GoslingDirector: Craig Gillespie
Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
Producer: Bruce Toll
Producer: John Cameron
Producer: Peter Berg
Producer: Sarah Aubrey
Producer: Sidney Kimmel
Producer: Whitney Brown
Writer: Nancy Oliver
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 106 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-04-15
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of Lars and the Real Girl
Movie Review: Loved Lars -- A Surprisingly Touching Film
Summary: 5 Stars
"Lars and the Real Girl" is one of the more original movies I've seen in quite some time. It is easy to see how this incredibly inqenious screenplay could have devolved into a farcical, over-the-top picture. A film about a mentally ill, early 30s Midwestern guy who buys a sex doll to keep him company easily could have been a train wreck. Fortunately, it is a gem of film showcasing the talents of Ryan Gosling along with a stellar supporting performances, most notably Patricia Clarkson as Lars doctor.
Lars (Gosling) sister-in-law's pregnancy resurfaces painful childhood memories and brings Lars' mental illness to the forefront. Lars is unable to connect physically and emotionally with another person. The only thing able to bring Lars out of his "shell" and connect is Bianca. The only catch: Bianca is a sex doll Lars created and bought on the internet. The initial shock and amusement of the tight knit community turns to acceptance as they begin to go along with the whole thing. Part of the reason is because everyone adores Lars and his sweet innocence and decency. If it all sounds crazy and absurd, it is, but the movie never succumbs to the temptation to either get too sentimental or slapstick. There are scenes that will cause you to burst into laughter, but instantly bring you back to tender consideration for Lars and his situation.
"Lars and Real Girl" works because it is about people caring and connecting with each other, taking the time to understand who they are and why they are that way, and a community rallying together to help someone they love, in spite of their problems. This is a tender, funny and sentimental (in a really good way) movie that will surprise you, make you think and most of all, warm your heart.
Summary of Lars and the Real Girl
Sometimes you find love where you'd least expect it. Just ask Lars (Academy Award-Nominee* Ryan Gosling), a sweet but quirky guy who thinks he's found the girl of his dreams in a life-sized doll named Bianca. Lars is completely content with his artificial girlfriend, but when he develops feelings for Margo, an attractive co-worker, Lars finds himself lost in a hilariously unique love triangle, hoping to somehow discover the real meaning of true love. Offbeat and endearing, this romantic comedy takes a fresh look at dating and relationships and dares to ask the question: What's so wrong with being happy?To some, Lars and the Real Girl will play as comedy; to others, tragedy. Though Craig Gillespie (Mr. Woodcock) allows Lars Lindstrom (a mustachioed Ryan Gosling, miles away from Half Nelson) a happy ending, the road is far from smooth. This rumpled Midwesterner couldn't be more miserable. His brother, Gus (Paul Schneider, All the Real Girls), and sister-in-law, Karin (Emily Mortimer, Lovely and Amazing), fall over themselves to cheer him up, but Lars cannot be moved; he's been like that since childhood. Then a porn-addicted co-worker hips him to the lifelike Real Doll. The next thing everyone knows, Lars has a new girlfriend named Bianca. She's from Brazil, she's shy, and she uses a wheelchair. She's also made of silicon. (Because Lars is a devout Christian, hanky-panky is out of the question.) Since he's finally emerging from his shell, his doctor, Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson), advises Gus and Karin to play along with the "delusion." Soon the whole town, including Margo (Kelli Garner), who harbors a not-so-secret crush on her officemate, gets in on the action, forcing Lars to rejoin the human race or crawl deeper into psychosis. Written by Six Feet Under's Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl is built around such a preposterous premise, it's hard to know whether to laugh or cry. Fortunately, the actors play it straight. Gosling does his best to make Lars sympathetic, but Schneider and Mortimer, fully convincing in their concern, are the true heart and soul of this odd little film. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Beyond Lars and the Real Girl
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