Lars and the Real Girl

This is another one of those little gems that, for whatever reason, people seemed to miss. Maybe it was its off kilter persona or the way it wasn't presented to the general public that left it fighting for Oscars, while not being viewed by the normal public. Being Valentines Day eve, this is a good one to write about. It is about true love. Love doesn't have to be between people. It can be anything. One can love his job, or her pet, maybe even a hobby, like paper airplane making or chopping up those little trees Mr Miagi invented. Whatever it is, Love comes from that specific person, and no one should tell them they're wrong. Lars is a bit of an abnormal human based on societies rules. Everyone he is close to, and by everyone, I mean his sister and brother in law, are always at him to get out there and meet people. Lars (Ryan Gosling) lives in his sister's garage, goes to work, church, and back home to eat dinner with his family. Everyday it's the same ol' same ol'. One day to much of the surprise Of his Sister, Karin- played by the strangely hot Emily Mortimer, and her husband Gus (Parks and Rec's Paul Schneider) he announced he will be having a guest over for dinner. A girl named Bianca has come in from out of town to meet him. They informally met on the Internet according to Lars and Karin is jazzed, right up until she gets to meet Bianca. Bianca happens to be one of those incredibly expensive life like love dolls. What is so great is Lars wants nothing of that aspect at all. Basically he created Bianca as a friend and partner for himself, and Karin thinks that if they take her away it may do irreparable damage to Lars' psyche. The Charade begins. He takes her to church, the store, keeps her fed and clothed, bathes her. Basically anything a loving husband would do for their spouse who is unable to provide for them self. It's an extremely touching film and at first we see Bianca as a doll, but the emotion Gosling is able to display really gives her life. He doesn't necessarily speak for her, but he will have a conversation with her in private as if she is responding. It's really quite something. What I really love about this film is the community aspect of it all. Lars is such a nice guy, and in such a small town, everyone knows him and how nice and sweet he is as a person. When Bianca shows up, there is no judgement, or whispers. No one makes fun, or pokes at him. They actually do something hard to fathom. They always ask how Bianca is when they see her, scoot down the pew to make room for not one person, but two, and they generally want Lars to be happy and fulfilled. Even if that means he loves a latex female doll, and that is what completes his life. The story carries us along and we wonder if they are soul mates or if Lars will snap out of it and come to our senses. Either way no one seems to mind, but Karin will eventually wonder if his mental health is ok or not. If you get a chance don't pass it up. You will love it for what it is and it may make you analyze the things you love. I own my copy and if anyone wants to borrow it, let me know.

NBM rates Lars and the Real Girl - Phenomenal

Buy Your Copy Today