Lars and the Real Girl (2007) PG-13
Lars, a Real Treat.
I had a strong hunch that I would get into Lars and the Real Girl, a quixotic tale of the mysterys of love, and even greater mystery that is the human coping mechanism.
But I had equally strong reservations of how the filmmakers would deal with such an off-beat, somewhat provocative, concept without slipping easily into the smutiness and innuendo that immediately springs to mind for a story that is about an emotional recluse, and his delusion that a lifesize female doll is his living, breathing, girlfriend.
I shudder to think of such a concept in the hands of the Coen Brothers, or Judd Apatow. Yikes.
But through the lens of Craig Gillespie’s camera, and with Ryan Gosling as the endearing, but clearly cracked, Lars, there is a triumph in story telling that never goes near the line of decency, and explores the remarkable power of community, and the human soul’s capacity for healing itself.
OK, so the story is about a guy and his disarmingly real, but obviously unreal, doll girlfriend. That might put people off just at the thought. But this is no sleazy examination of human perversion. Rather, it is a wholesome - yes, wholesome - and charming tale of growth, healing, community, and true love.
Sure, there are smirks among the townsfolk and Lars' co-workers as they learn that the eponymous lead character is now getting around with a doll - and we know exactly what they are thinking - but the talented filmmaker leaves the double entendre there.
Because to Lars, Bianca, his Brazilian/Danish former missionary girlfriend is indeed real. As such, and in a way that he had not been able to manifest at any other time in his life, the emotionally incapacitated Lars lives out his fantasy of establishing a loving, and pure, relationship. You see, Bianca becomes Lars imaginary friend, which allows him to create the perfect - as he sees it - couple. Without all of the fears that so often grip us in the uncertain minefield that is human behavior. He controls everything - the scenarios, the behavior, the conversations.
And in living out this imaginary love-of-his-life, Lars - supported by an incerdibly sensitive and wise family doctor, the often-hilarious compliance of the townsfolk, and the emerging compassion of his brother - discovers himself.
This all leads to some very funny moments, again, without having to descend into the obvious baseness that generates the shallow, puerile laughs that today’s comedy genre generally relies upon.
Lars and the Real Girl ticked all of the boxes for me in terms of outstanding Adult entertainment. As the notion of a real life doll as a love interest is such an integral part of the concept, this may not be for young to middle teenagers, as the PG-13 rating suggests. But there is nothing to fear in terms of offensive content.
The performances are high class. Ryan Gosling surpasses all previous roles in the touching and gorgeous way in which he plays this wall-flower who is waiting to blossom, and Patricia Clarkson as Dr. Dagmar lights up the screen with her intelligence and wisdom. The rest of the supporting cast all do their part in adding to this character driven "dramedy", giving it a beautifully homey feel.
Lars and the Real Girl is certainly one film that lives up to the marketing hype of one of the best 10 films this year. Definitely, a Real gem.
By Brett Stringer
