Lars and The Real Girl

Not undiscovered as such but certainly a criminally underrated movie. Easily in the top three movies of 2008, Lars and the Real Girl is a stunningly poignant film on loneliness, love and fear.

Ryan Gosling is surely the most promising actor in Hollywood right now, and he showcases his talent here in typically understated but devastating fashion. He plays Lars Lindstrom, a lonely young man living alone next door to his brother and his wife. He is an awkward and slightly mysterious character. The Alton, Ontario setting helps the movie achieve its small town feel and the icy backdrops shrouded in mist definitely add to the sense of isolation in the movie. Anyway before I drift off the synopsis completely, Lars finds out about real sex dolls by a co-worker that are lifesize and come in complete erotic attire, subsequently he buys one. The plot does sound like this movie will resort to grotesque and foul smuttiness but instead Craig Gillespie steers his story into the direction of a man suffering severe loneliness.

Laughs are to be had at first at the expense of Bianca the sex doll but after that the film diversifies and becomes a drama instead of a kooky comedy. Bianca is his companion with a sexual theme never occurring. He talks to her, eats with her and takes her around the village. Some critics have deemed this unrealistic and schmaltzy but I completely disagree. Not once does the film not feel real and Gosling's tender and touching performance has to be one of the most powerful I've seen. His conversations with Bianca's doctor produce excruciating poignancy and honesty about loneliness and the fear and vulnerability that comes with it. Lars's story is never rushed, it just pads along exploring his life without ever feeling forced or cliched.

The supporting cast fit perfectly into the film with Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider playing the roles of Lars's sister-in-law and brother with vigour and tenderness. For me though Kelli Garner's Margo is the key character with her being the constant source of reality and hope for Lars. It is sad to watch her hurt as Lars pours his attention into Bianca. Her kooky but strangely attractive face lights up the screen (sorry for the cliche!) and coupled with Gosling's masterful performance, the movie achieves something lacking in alot of Indie pictures, substance and a desire to rewatch it time and time again.

I will not reveal the ending but I'm sure that this film will leave you in need of a large box of tissues...okay enough with the sniggering back there, I mean for the eyes...!