Lars and the Real Girl

I just can't believe this was such a touching story. Simple and complex at the same time. A movie about family, community and love in all it's aspects.

Almost twenty years after it's release I got to see it, and I'm glad, because I'd probably wouldn't understand it back then.

I'm also amazed by how Ryan Gosling played the role, I've never specifically thought of him as a versatile actor.

Bianca was a real girl and anyone who thinks otherwise need to let themselves grow and believe in kindness. Hopefully I'll have the same smile on my face the next time I watch it and the same good feeling after it ends.

I just saw this movie last night with friends and I'll admit I'd never heard of it. I knew it was worth watching when I was told Ryan Gosling was in it so I was mildly excited to see it. The first thirty minutes of the film are pretty damn funny and to some, almost hilarious. Very well done comedic acting that is real, believable, and still amazing to watch. Part of what makes the first thirty minutes so funny is because we know about the doll, and we can't wait for the first reactions. After that the story takes a wonderfully surprising turn to a really touching light drama. I was very surprised but I really loved it. A lot of people laughed throughout the film, and I was very much bothered by that. There is a reason this man is pretending that a "sex" doll is a real person, and its a very internal serious pain thats hes going through, which for me, understanding that part of the story, I felt it was mildly inappropriate for people to laugh, but I understood with time. Near the end of the film it gets a little predictable for one, some would say major, plot turn, but not so predictable as to ruin it. About 5 to 10 minutes before it happens you see it coming, but other than that it was superbly acted by Ryan Gosling who has nothing but an incredible career in front of him, and good supporting roles as well. This is a very enjoyable film, which I recommend to anyone and everyone. It really seems to have something for everyone, but be prepared it might make you laugh, cry, or both. Its a very very good movie, and definitely worth seeing in theaters.

"Lars and the Real Girl" may come off as an unrealistic, over-the-top, completely unfathomable fairytale for the mentally ill while the line between realism and fantasy is tightly walked. Some of the actions of the characters are questionable- mostly with the way the townspeople treat Lars and his delusions. Lars is incredibly shy. He sits alone in the dark. He'll make up any excuse he can muster to avoid even a simple breakfast at his brother's house (He lives in the garage; separated from the house of course, and completely isolated / detached from human contact). Lars struggles to connect with people, which is due to years of neglect from his father, and the death of his mother during child birth. His brother left the first chance he got, so Lars has never felt love, nor has he been given the chance to share his love for others.

One day Lars' co-worker is surfing internet porn and comes across a real sex doll. He shows this to Lars, who doesn't give it too much attention, but we see the wheels turning. Later we see a box dropped off at his garage, and then it all starts. This will be Lars' way of giving all this love that he has to give to someone that won't do anything but accept it. Someone who isn't concerned with the superficial, and someone who he can connect with. She's someone who won't crowd him or make him feel uncomfortable. She will support him.

The film slowly and gradually morphs into a story of love and acceptance. There's more to the story than just a simple sex doll toted around town by a lonely guy looking for attention. The film has a heart, and that heartbeat is pulsated through the screen by the incredible performance from one of the most talented young actors in the business, Ryan Gosling. I honestly don't know if another actor could have pulled this off. He hardly ever has eye contact with any single person in the film. He's given a flower and told to give it to someone nice, but when Margo comes strolling along, he flings the flower into the bushes. Then he runs away. Margo likes him and he likes her, but neither are any good at expressing their feelings. Lars is searching for that special someone and like a lot of us, we can relate when we meet the one that has it all. You just can't seem to find the words, or you can find them and just can't say them.

The film raises the question about treatment of the mentally ill. Do we really need medication that wipes out their feelings and emotions, or do we just need the basics? Love, care, support, and acceptance for who you are. They accept Bianca because of Lars and Lars finds love and acceptance. He learns human interaction.

This is a rare film where we see a group of people do good - even though their method may be questioned - in order to help someone struggling with an illness. This isn't a film that's laugh out loud funny, a few occasional ones here and there, but I found myself smiling throughout. The final act had me choked up. It created a much stronger reaction than I had anticipated. Gosling had me laughing and nearly brought to tears all at the same time. Paul Schneider was also exceptional. The film does a great job of questioning normality and the treatment of the mentally ill. This is more like a fable and some might question the reality of it (and knock it for being unrealistic), but if they do, then they're missing the entire point. "Lars and the Real Girl" is a near modern masterpiece that has a message. The ending is predictable, but without the ending the film isn't complete and the message is vastly different.

What a wonderful, quirky movie about the beauty of damaged humans coming together to help each other out. There's something so warm and sweet about a movie with a premise of a guy falling in love with a sex doll. The way this reflects on humanity, the way people care and think on others is all really something. The journey Lars goes on is spectacular and the way Gosling transformed himself from heartthrob to schlub is equally impressive.

The shortcoming here is sadly, inextricably linked to the positives. That sense of humanity looking out for it's own is so beautiful but it also feels disingenuous at times because everyone just goes along with the strange circumstances and there's not enough reality in what's happening. Once or twice someone might be surprised by the events, but in reality people would be making a huge deal out of this whole thing. There would be talk, gossip and cruel whispers running rampant and I would've loved to see a little more of that reality represented here.

I still really enjoy this film, it's different, it's complex and it's so human. Strong recommend for everyone out there, despite it's flaws it's still just a touching experience.

My wife and I went to see this on by birthday, and I was expecting it to be sorta quirky and off beat. I was surprised to find that this was a touching and humorous relationship-driven drama.

As already accounted here, Ryan Gosling gave a performance that many MANY of the popular actors could only DREAM of. He was brilliant, and his portrayal of Lars covered so many emotional dynamics.

However, I am going to write about Paul Schneider, who played Lars' brother, Gus. He was so subtle and funny, so spot on! His side-arc concerning being the older brother in a troubled family. . . just genius.

I would recommend this movie to everyone.