Lars and the Real Girl
Movie Review
"Lars and the Real Girl"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: A-
Rating: PG-13
Released: Friday, October 26, 2007
Directed by:
Cast:
At 26, Ryan Gosling has already emerged as one of his generation's most talented actors, versatile in subtle, unflashy ways that don't always get mainstream notice. (The great "Half Nelson" and "The Believer" remain underseen, while "The Notebook" is his major box office success.) His latest, "Lars and the Real Girl," works -- and works amazingly well -- because of his performance as a reclusive, socially awkward man who buys a life-size, anatomically correct rubber sex doll ... and falls in love with her. There are a million ways this film could go wrong, and it succumbs to none of them.
Having heard the premise, many readers no doubt have already decided not to see it, because who needs to see a movie about a sex doll? But one of the film's delightful surprises is that it has no sex, real, implied, or rubberized. Lars is a chaste Lutheran, so he and the doll sleep in separate beds. The one thing her designers had in mind for her is the one use she's never put to. The movie isn't about sex; there isn't any for it to be about. It's about emotional connection, and for some reason Lars has an emotional connection to an inanimate object.
Lars is an odd duck, to put it mildly. He and his older brother, Gus (Paul Schneider), inherited their parents' house, which Gus and his pregnant wife Karin (Emily Mortimer) occupy while Lars lives in the converted garage. This is by Lars' choice, and so are the other aspects of his solitary, quiet life. He's painfully shy and socially awkward -- not prickly at all (he's always smiling), but simply ill-at-ease with other humans. When his sister-in-law hugs him, he's physically hurt by the gentle contact.
Despite his unsocial behavior, or maybe because of it, Lars is well liked by everyone in the small, wintry Wisconsin-or-maybe-Minnesota town where the film is set. His co-workers at his undefined cubicle-based job include him in their activities. One in particular, Margo (Kelli Garner), tries to ask him on dates, but Lars is impervious to hints.
Then Lars' shipment arrives. Her name is Bianca. He introduces her to Gus and Karin as his girlfriend; they met online; now she has come to live with him, though he'd like her to stay in Gus and Karin's guest bedroom for propriety's sake. Gus and Karin are stunned, obviously. Lars treats Bianca like a real person, never giving the slightest hint that he knows she is not. When Gus firmly declares that Bianca is made of plastic, Lars simply ignores him.
They take Lars and Bianca to the doctor, Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson), who is also a psychologist. ("You have to be both up here," Karin says, hinting at the depression and loneliness endemic in the cold northlands.) Under the guise of examining Bianca, Dagmar psychoanalyzes Lars. Her diagnosis: He'll snap out of the delusion "when he doesn't need it anymore." In the meantime, no purpose would be served in trying to make him face reality. He has to work through this in his own time.
And so the entire town goes along with it. They pretend Bianca is as real as Lars seems to think she is. Bianca gets a part-time job as a mannequin at the mall. She volunteers at the hospital by "reading" to sick children. (The nurses prop a book in her hands and turn on the audiobook version.) Only a few townspeople are initially skeptical, and that dissolves over time. There are no judgments about Lars' weirdness because, let's be honest, we all have something weird about us. The pastor at the Lutheran church asks his parishioners, "What would Jesus do?," and while that question has become a punchline in recent years, the answer is still obvious to them: Jesus would accept Lars despite his eccentricities. Furthermore, he would do whatever is best for Lars' mental health.
You have to take the film as a fable and not as a strictly realistic account of rural America. It's valid to point out that in real life there's no way the entire town would humor Lars -- but only because in real life, "entire towns" don't do anything. You accept it as a necessary element of the story.
Written by Nancy Oliver (TV's "Six Feet Under") and directed by Craig Gillespie (after his recent half-direction of "Mr. Woodcock"), "Lars and the Real Girl" has a sweet innocence about it that's surprising for a "movie about a sex doll," but that feels perfectly natural in the film itself. Gradually we learn more about Lars' life story, with his shyness explained in honest, believable terms. The film has many funny elements and moments -- I'd call it a comedy with dramatic undertones -- yet it's not Lars we're laughing at, at least not in a scornful way. We sympathize with him.
The key to the whole film, and what turns the potentially disastrous premise into something special, is Gosling's sincerity. It's not enough that Lars believes Bianca is a real person; the important thing is that Gosling believes that Lars believes it. He never winks at us to let on that he (Gosling) is only acting, or that he (Lars) knows Bianca is just a doll.
As a result, we find ourselves surprised in yet another way by this tender and gentle-natured story: Who would have thought a movie about a guy in love with a silicon doll could be so emotionally affecting and spiritually uplifting?
Grade: A-
Rated PG-13, a little mild profanity, some sexual innuendo -- it is a shockingly tame movie, especially considering what you were expecting
1 hr., 46 min.
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
This work may not be transmitted via the Internet, nor reproduced in any other way, without written consent from Eric D. Snider.
This item has 18 comments
October 26, 2007 at 4:41 am
I saw an advance screening of "Lars & the Real Girl" a couple weeks ago & really, really liked it. I think somewhere on imdb.com it mentions that the doll was treated as an actual cast member during filming as well. "Bianca" had her own trailer & was only ever on set if "she" was in a scene (the doll was not just slumped against a wall in the corner).That probably added to the cast's treating Bianca as a person on screen, but Ryan Gosling's intense focus & ability to stay "in character" without the briefest hint of a wink at the audience is phenomenal in our cynical, "post-modern" "deconstructed" age. (I might add that the way Bianca is FILMED also adds to the audience eventually thinking of her as a person as well. Even Chuckie never had it so good!)
It's silly to be nostalgic for a time & place which probably never existed even in Wisconsin (by way of Ontario where it was filmed), but I left feeling the sort of warm glow that World War II films usually claim to be trying to inspire.
Oh--and thank you for taking the entire extra half-sentence it takes to explain more accurately the living arrangement between Lars and his brother & sister-in-law. I have seen so many sloppy reviews where Lars is described as "living in his brother's garage," but the truth is, as you stated, the house (and garage) belong to them both. A small point, but I think it somehow changes one's initial understanding of the brothers' relationship.
November 3, 2007 at 7:53 am
If possible, the best way to approach a viewing of this movie is to get someone to go with you who has NO idea what the premise of the movie is. I succeeded in doing this with my wife (she sat down in the theater without even knowing what movie we were seeing) and the result was one of the most uplifting and genuine movie theater experiences we've ever had.
I stumbled upon the trailer for this movie online and could tell right away that they might just pull this off, despite the bizarre premise (and the many ways it could have just turned into a string of distasteful jokes). I had high hopes for this movie and all of them were exceeded. I'll never forget the moment my wife figure out what was in the crate. She was shocked but then just started laughing. Our reaction together to that first scene where the doll was revealed was priceless. My wife couldn't stop laughing in astonishment, since this was about the last thing in the world she expected the movie to be about.
From there, the movie just pulls you in--not the least through an absolutely remarkable performance by Gosling. The cast of small town everypeople was perfect, as well. You laugh, you cry, you feel a little bit better about the world. You begin to realize your own idiosyncrasies and come to love and accept those of others.
So, find someone you love and share this movie with them (again, ideally, if you can get them to the theater completely unaware of the basic storyline of the movie). You won't be disappointed.
November 18, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I thouroughly enjoyed this movie. I especially found the town's reaction to Bianca incredibly touching--to me the funniest line in the movie was when Lars mentions that Bianca has been elected to the local school board. The women of the town want to help her out by giving her a new hairdo--and are impressed when Lars declares that his preference is whatever her preference is. The men start to wonder if in fact, Bianca is the perfect wife; after all, she doesn't talk. I loved the moment when even Lars' brother starts to become attached and checks on her before he goes to bed. Very touching and quite real. Bianca even brings Lars' brother to some realizations about his own life; perhaps he abandoned Lars as a young boy and his need to make it right with his brother. I saw the movie last night and keep thinking about it.
November 23, 2007 at 9:13 am
Thanks to Eric's grading this film with an A- (but without reading his review because I don't want to know even the slightest plot twist when I see a film), I saw this movie. I cannot say enough good things about Lars ATRG. The emotional impact was profound, and as my friends and I left the theater, I talked to the couple next to me and the guy said how much he wished he could live in a town like that in the film, where there is such an outpouring of support for a struggling citizen. The acting was impecable, and the screen writiers/producer respected the intelligence of the viewer. I persuaded my 84-year-old mother and her same-age female neighbor (both active in the Relief Society) to see it, and they loved it too! There ought to be some kind of a post-viewing chat room -- physically, at the theater -- where viewers can gather to discuss the film. Anyway, Eric, thanks for your strong grade. Now, I'll go back and read your view, and may learn why you thought the film deserved only an A-.
November 23, 2007 at 10:40 am
What's a Relief Society? Is it the same thing as the Red Cross?
December 2, 2007 at 8:17 am
As a Psychologist who saw this wonderful movie with my wife, I can't stop marveling at what a true and powerful portrayal it is of how unremembered trauma (loss of the mother followed by bleak years alone with a depressed father) gets worked through in the process of therapy. Unbearable experience like Lars's can "break" us, meaning we can't go anywhere near the pain of it (dissociation), and physical and/or emotional contact with real people revives that pain. Hence the therapy "pair" of Dagmar (real) and Bianca (unreal) provide just the right combination of intimacy and distance to allow Lars to express and work through his deep fears of attachment and (feared) retraumatization (Karin might lose her baby....it hurts too much to touch someone etc). [SPOILERS] Slowly he begins to move from a safe and unreal relationship with Bianca (even begins to fight with her) to risk a real relationship with Mollie who he feels a kinship with through that wonderful scene of reviving her "dead" teddy bear. The last scene of the movie at Bianca's grave where he asks Mollie "do you want to take a walk?" and takes her hand while Dagmar walks away in the background, was so moving and showed the completion of his journey.
December 5, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Donald, I'm glad you like the movie, but it looks as though you completely gave away the ending there...
December 6, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Nevermind. You do have a spoiler warning. My bad.
December 7, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I'm really late to the party on this one, I know, but wow what a great movie this turned out to be! One of my favorites of the year, without question.
One thing that Eric didn't mention was the presence of the boom microphone above the actors in many of the scenes. I couldn't figure this one out. It happened *way* too often to have been a mistake, and the overhead mic seemed to be moving around more than it would be if it weren't supposed to be seen.
Any ideas about this? Certainly it wasn't a cinematographic snafu, was it?
--Steve
December 8, 2007 at 6:52 pm
I just have to say, i have seen the movie two times now and loved it. Will see it a 3rd soon with another friend of mine. Excellent soundtrack and music choices for the party he goes too,,,,this must be the place and genius of love. which is on the talking heads cd track 11 and 13. The other thing i noticed is mariah careys song fantasy sounds exactly like genius of love,,,,,just updated,,,,some different words,but same beat and some of the same words. Excellent song choices for the party he goes to. And great soundtrack. Ryan Goslings performance was outstanding and he draws you in and makes you his character with his problem and how hes dealing with it. You believe she is real for his sake and root him on to deal with what he needs to,,to get through his abandoment issue which i think is resurfaced with karin being due with a baby.All the acting was excellent, this movie was funny, and very touching at many parts. I could hear tears from fellow people in the theatre near the end,,as i also had tears and was really holding it to stop from be loud to cry. Outstanding movie,,,,will be on my dvd list to buy when it comes out. I also am really gaining an appreciation for ryan gosling and his acting. I will have to see what movie he is in next. Also all the actors and actressess in this movie were great,,,,,,,,,,excellent job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Him reviving the bear of margots was very touching.
December 12, 2007 at 6:31 pm
I absolutely understand and concur with Darren's positive review of this film. Mr. Zim, you've got better eyes than I because I never saw any boom/mics, and as a hunter/birder, I thought my vision was well above average.
Re Dave #5, the Relief Society is a women's organization within the LDS Church whose goal is to provide a fertile home environment and to render compassionate service to family and others.
This film was my first exposure to Ryan Gosling. Now I gotta go back to see Half Nelson and Notebook, of which I have heard much good but never got around to seeing; same re script writer's former work in Six Feet Under.
December 22, 2007 at 10:10 pm
My lady and I saw this movie yesterday, and while we started out laughing at the premise, it wasn't too long before we felt a bit guilty for having done so. I've lived in small towns, and this film illustrates just how some zany 'characters' come to inhabit them, while being sort-of accepted by the rest of the townspeople. The bleakness of winter surrounds the outdoor scenes, and mirrors the cold winter in Lars' tortured soul. You realize his aversion to people comes from never being held by a mother, and he has to work through that with a surrogate.
December 27, 2007 at 9:12 am
Such insightful comments from you all -- honestly. With the help of films like LARG, Western society might be ready to begin accepting those on the fringe of society -- adults with various learning disabilities (i.e. autism spectrum disorders, Aspergers, etc.) whose emotional and social skills are sorely lacking. Their hearts are pure and sincere, but these individuals suffer the loneliness of those marginalized by society. Some of these folks are highly gifted in language and artistic skills (writing, music, painting, etc.) And some of our most revered geniuses would today be considered learning disabled, including Einstein, DaVinci, Beethoven, VanGogh, Pollock, and Poe. Way to go, Nancy Oliver and Craig Gillespie!
January 7, 2008 at 11:26 am
I saw the boom mics as well. Some theaters must not be sizing the film correctly to their screens.
February 17, 2008 at 9:30 am
I watched most of the movie on an airline flight 2 days ago. One of the best I've ever seen. It left me crying but I didn't see the end because the flight was over.... I didn't notice any boom mics so maybe the film had been re-sized for use in-flight! I had recently seen the Notebook and enjoyed it, so appreciate the writers' insightfulness.... Can it be purchased on DVD?
April 21, 2008 at 11:37 am
This movie worked very well but people say the situation is unrealistic. That's why I love this movie.
I grew up hoping for the unbelievable to happen to me, and it hasn't yet. So I really loved this movie because it gave me a glimpse of what life could be like. I have Asperger's and immediately related to Lars. I never felt like an outcast until middle school, where I all of a sudden realized that I was different from not only my peers, but also my siblings. It is a struggle being different, and not always understanding why, and not being able to explain it to others. ( I don't want people to think of me even less than they do now). I would love to find an ending to my movie like Lars finally did. But I am frozen from acting on it. But I loved watching Lars evolve.
April 23, 2008 at 9:35 pm
This movie really was adorable. I especially love Lars' brother and sister-in-law's performances, they were so funny, especially at the beginning when they were so taken aback by his new girlfriend. I think they were perfect for the roles! I found myself laughing at the movie a lot, not at Lars, but in sympathy for him, because he's so pathetic yet completely lovable at the same time. This could have been a stinker, but they walked the line perfectly between too real and too unreal, to make a great movie.
June 8, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I see a huge metaphor in this movie, maybe not intended by the original screen writer.
Summarizing, Lars is the human race, Bianca is God. Just as Lars could not successfully negotiate with the death of his mother during childbirth, the human race cannot at this time of sociological development, deal with the death of friends and relatives. So we have invented the invisible God, that we supposedly talk to, and who supposedly talks back to us. The Dr. /psychologist gave it away when she said its not a psychosis, it's a delusion.
Clearly it was a psychosis, in psychologically pure terms, because Lars has lost the ability to deal in reality, the definition of a mental problem which has jumped to the psychosis level. But our culture, accepting of the God theory, has arbitrarily redefined conversations with the invisible God as not a psychosis. It's treated as a benevolent delusion, that does more good than harm, exempting scary examples such as Jonestown, and Andrea Yates, where the psychotic element of intense religion has been on desplay.
And finally, when Lars is ready to abandon his delusional soul mate, as the Dr. says, Bianca lives and dies by the wishes of Lars, who has created her as a living entity. The analogy there is that someday, not in my lifetime, the human race might move beyond superstition, religion and mythology.