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intereact!Director: Craig Gillespie
Actors: Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider (IV), Kelli Garner, and Patricia Clarkson
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Retail Price (not our price): $27.98
Release Date: 2008-04-15
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Run Time: 107 minutes
Format: Array
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Discs: 1
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Description
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?2) Amazon.com
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. FennessyBeyond Lars and the Real GirlMore from Ryan GoslingLars and the Real Girl SoundtrackMore Comedies from MGMStills from Lars and the Real Girl
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
1) A Movie Lover's Movie [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Every once and a while, you get to see a movie that helps you remember why you love movies. Not because it's flawless, unique, maudlin, funny, charming, or any number of other things. You love movies like these because they're life-affirming. Lars and the Real Girl is one of those.2) Trying to Find Love in a Plastic World ... [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Misled into believing this was an indie comedy, I popped-in this DVD and found myself in tears about thirty minutes later. I pushed pause and double-checked the description ... yes, comedy. I returned to the film confused and trying to decipher if there was something amiss with me (I'm not an emotional person, let alone hyperemotional) or with the film ... I ultimately decided the fault resides with whomever billed this work as a comedy. Ryan Gosling lends the character of Lars (a deeply disturbed man) tremendous sensitivity. Through facial expressions and body language, Gosling communicates the torment that Lars cannot verbally articulate. The honest portrayal of Lars' supportive yet struggling family is gripping. Their justified pessimism ("he may never get better") and embarrassment translates as genuine ... and painful. The love they provide Lars is touching -- the viewer is compelled to wonder if he/she embodies such compassion.And while the manner in which his surrounding community embraces Lars may seem improbable to most, if you are from a small town you know your share of eccentrics ... and you know how a community can rally around these folks. Watching Lars' neighbors lend support is initially tense (how long will they humor this man?) and ultimately reaffirming. I think the actor who genuinely makes this film compelling is Patricia Clarkson (who plays Lar's physician). Her performance is warm yet nuanced. The viewer is drawn to her character's wisdom and benevolence... she is the film's point of stability.Yes, this work may have had some (uncomfortable) laughs, but there is an intense sense of tragedy which overrides the humor. But, that's why we love indie films, because they are complicated ... because they don't offer easy answers. I guess the best way for me to communicate the tone of the film is to say ... there were more tears than laughs. Highly recommended ... just not as a comedy.3) Don't miss the underlying point [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I agree with all of the positive reviews of this film and while, yes, it was a bit slow, it warmed up and drew me in. The secondary point was one we all should take to heart. The main story was Lars and the "girl", but the story of how a church and community loved one of its own through a difficult time was a heartwarming and inspiring tribute to the power of love. Romantic love was part of it, but family, church, and community love were just as important. As you enjoy the quirky comedy, don't miss the underlying message.4) A Modern-Day "Harvey" [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This film surprised me. I knew the premise - a guy falls in love with a sex doll. I must admit I wasn't expecting much, and certainly not a gem of a movie. But out of that strange and simple premise grows a film that is sweet, touching, romantic, and will stay with you for a long time. If you are willing to suspend your initial disbelief, you will find this movie oddly moving. It reminded me a bit of the 1950 classic "Harvey," with a sex doll in place of Jimmy Stewart's giant, invisible rabbit friend. As in that movie, when people put aside their initial judgments and confusion, they begin to discover something about themselves. Both Harvey and Bianca function as mirrors for the people who "see" them. This movie offers reflections on the nature and necessity of community and the meaning that can be found if we are willing to act out of true compassion and not just out of cultural or normative habits. This film also offers a positive portrayal of organized religion and people trying to live out their faith in real ways, something you don't find in a lot of Hollywood films. There is wisdom in this film, but it is presented in such an understated and subtle way (again not something I was expected based on the premise) that it really builds AFTER you have seen the film and begin to think more about it. I highly recommend this film - it is not what you think! It is much better, and richer, and a real treasure.5) Bizarre and SLOW, but great acting [Rating: 3 out of 5]
I thought this movie was really strange. But I think that's part of the appeal. You keep watching it because you are curious as to where it's going.The film itself moves SLOWLY (mabye to parallel Lars' depression)? Also, there is little, if any soundtrack or noise in the film. Most of the shots portray a dreary, gray and white little Northern town in the cold of winter. This is juxtaposed with the warm love and vibrancy of the people in the small town where Lars lives. They really do embrace him where he's at and show how love can be healing, even in instances of psychological disturbance or mental illness.The acting is superb. Even beyond Gosling himself, the entire supporting cast does an excellent job. Emily Mortimer really shines in a few of the intense scenes. Truthfully, the first time I watched it, I fell asleep right before the movie ended. Like I said, the plot unfolds very slowly and there is very little action, noise, or bright color to grab your attention. It's definitely a film you want to be "awake" for. You have to pay attention to catch the nuances and symbolism in some of the cinematography and the writing.