Lars and the Real Girl

Lars and the Real Girl is basically a story about a guy who falls in love with a sex doll. Yeah, sounded kinda weird to me too. Well, I was at the library and I saw that this movie just came in, so I decided to borrow it since it was nominated for some awards. I thought it was going to be an artsy movie, probably really weird and I wouldn't get it. Well, it turned out to be a great movie and actually kinda touching.

Lars is an extremely introverted person to the point where he runs away from his sister-in-law when she tries to get him to have dinner at her house. His sister-in-law, Karin, tackles him to get him to come over. Very soon Lars introduces the doll (aka Bianca) as his new "girlfriend" to Karin and his brother, Gus. At first they freak out and think Lars is totally insane. They talk to the family physician who suggests that they humor him and it's Karin (who's a great character) who says she'll do anything.

[Spoiler Alert!] What I loved about the film was that the whole community gets involved in the Lars and Bianca's life. Bianca starts volunteering at the hospital, attending banquets and school meetings, and kinda having a life without Lars. It borders between reality and the ridiculous, but somehow works. On occasion I couldn't help but giggle at the absurdity of it all, especially the ending. It was a fun movie and very original. I'm so glad that Lars and Bianca didn't get "intimate" or I would've probably turned off the movie. Lars only gives her a short kiss once towards the end.

After watching this movie, I love Ryan Gosling so much more. Emily Mortimer as "Karin" was also good; you just felt her character loved Lars so much and really would do anything for him, even bathe and dress the doll. If you like feel-good movies, which I do, go pick up this film.