Running time: 106 minutes
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, Patricia Clarkson
Rating 5 out of 10
Despite a relatively modest performance at the US box office, Lars and the Real Girl has proven to be a hit on the awards circuit, culminating in a Best Screenplay nomination for writer Nancy Oliver. It is a film that is likely to divide audiences into two camps: those who embrace its quirky, warm nature and those who find the whole premise completely preposterous. Lars (Ryan Gosling) is a loner with mental issues that are never fully explained. He lives in the garage of his brother (Paul Schneider) and his pregnant sister-in-law (Emily Mortimer), and while he does hold down an office job, he clearly has issues forming personal relationships with people.
All of this changes when Lars finds a girl on the internet and brings her home to live in his garage. Bianca is sexy and well-dressed but she is also 100% plastic. Lars is smitten and delighted with his rubber doll, his family are shocked and the town as a whole doesn't quite know where to look.
The gradual change in attitude towards Lars is meant, presumably, to underline some message in the script about understanding and tolerance. But this is where some audience members will have problems, as it requires something of a major leap of faith to accept what is happening on screen.
The performances are solid throughout with everything revolving around rising star Gosling's turn as the misfit. It's very much quirky indie fare with a familiar picture of small town America.
Paul Hurley
