In a small Wisconsin town lives awkward and introverted Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) hiding in the converted garage behind his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and distressed pregnant wife Karens’ (Emily Mortimer) home.
Lars is a sweet man who has difficulty relating and interacting with the rest of the world—due to certain childhood events learned throughout the film—including his family and co-worker Margo (Kelli Garner) whom is clearly attracted to him. He avoids any encounter whatsoever with Margo usually sparing just two or three words.
One rare day, Lars asks Gus and Karen if he could invite his new friend whom he met via the Internet for dinner; they are thrilled. Lars brings home Bianca, his Brazilian-Danish paraplegic girlfriend. Bianca also happens to be a RealDoll—a custom-ordered, life-size, anatomically accurate love doll made of silicone.
The community worries about Lars who is suffering from some sort of mental illness. But happy to see his hidden hope finally shining through, they play along with Lars’ delusion and treat Bianca as one of their own and so their journey begins.
With such a unique storyline, the film could have taken a wrong turn at any moment but with all the great factors it never took on a mocking or degrading tone. Instead, the uplifting comedy is perfectly offbeat and heartwarming.
The second film for Director Craig Gillespie, Lars and the Real Girl was released in 2007. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and Gosling received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy.
As always, Gosling is nothing short of extraordinary. He gets lost in his character and embraces every attribute of Lars. It’s never what he says but more of how he reacts. Gosling will make you feel Bianca is as real as he imagines her. Schneider and Mortimer are wonderful supporting actors. The chemistry between the trio brings out the best within each other.
Lars and the Real Girl is one of those films that leaves no room for grey areas; just like the relationship you either accept it or you don’t. But if you give Lars and Bianca a chance, I’m sure their story will leave your heart feeling a little less, plastic.
