Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Craig Gillespie

Writer (WGA):

Nancy Oliver (written by)

Release Date:

25 October 2007 (Singapore)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

The search for true love begins outside the box

Plot:

A delusional young guy strikes up an unconventional relationship with a doll he finds on the Internet.

Plot Keywords:

Internet | Brother | Sister In Law | Delusion | Sex Doll

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 14 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Nov. 12	10:00 AM	SHOW
Fri. Nov. 13	3:30 AM	SHOW
Sun. Nov. 15	6:00 PM	SHOW

Cast

Ryan Gosling	...	Lars Lindstrom
Emily Mortimer	...	Karin
Paul Schneider	...	Gus
R.D. Reid	...	Reverend Bock
Kelli Garner	...	Margo
Nancy Beatty	...	Mrs. Gruner
Doug Lennox	...	Mr. Hofstedtler
Joe Bostick	...	Mr. Shaw
Liz Gordon	...	Mrs. Schindler
Nicky Guadagni	...	Mrs. Petersen
Patricia Clarkson	...	Dagmar
Karen Robinson	...	Cindy
Maxwell McCabe-Lokos	...	Kurt
Billy Parrott	...	Erik
Sally Cahill	...	Deb

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sex-related content.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Canada:14A | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | Italy:T | Germany:o.Al. | Ireland:12A | South Korea:15 | Norway:A | Argentina:Atp | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Australia:PG | France:U | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Alton, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment

Trivia:

In the scene where Lars is reading to Bianca, he is reading from "Don Quixote", whose main character also has delusions.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the party, when the host puts on a vinyl record, she drops the needle on the first track on the side. But the song that comes out of the speakers is "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody), which is the last song on the Talking Heads album, "Speaking in Tongues." As the last track, it would appear closest to the center of the album, rather than at the outside edge where the needle is placed. In fact, it has never appeared as the lead-off track on any vinyl album.

Quotes:

Dagmar: So, tell me about Karin. I don't know her very well.
Lars Lindstrom: Oh, she's wonderful. Gus and I are very lucky with women - she's wonderful. But she...
Dagmar: That's okay, let's find you something to read
Lars Lindstrom: No, it's just… between us?
Dagmar: Of course.
Lars Lindstrom: I'm worried about her. I think she has a little problem.
Dagmar: Oh, well, maybe you shouldn't tell me.
Lars Lindstrom: No, that's okay. It's just, and I think it's because she's insecure, it's just, she's just always trying to hug everybody. You know, some people don't like that. Some people don't like to be hugged. But she doesn't realize that. She takes it personally, and, it hurts her feelings. I don't know what to do about that. Do you?
Dagmar: It's such a comfort sometimes, just to have somebody's arms around you. Don't you think?
Lars Lindstrom: No.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "At the Movies: (#6.1)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) Live Version

C'mon, it's funny. Is it?

Greetings again from the darkness. Guilt while laughing is an unusual experience ... well except while watching Lars and Bianca. This film is hilarious, touching and insightful. The product of genius writing by Nancy Oliver (Six Feet Under) and solid direction by Craig Gillespie ("Mr. Woodcock"), this film will force you to step back and think about how you treat those who might be a little different or struggle with social interaction.

Ryan Gosling is absolutely amazing as Lars. His character redefines "being in a shell". Wounded by the pain of losing his parents and literally frightened by human touch, Gosling exudes the humanity of a injured child. The real guilty fun starts once Bianca is delivered. Bianca is the anatomically correct molded doll whom Lars treats as a real girlfriend. The ride picks up steam when his relatives and then the entire town elect to play along.

The entire cast is excellent with standout performances by Emily Mortimer ("Match Point"), Paul Schneider, the great Patricia Clarkson as the very wise and very human doctor, and Kelli Garner ("Thumbsucker") looking very homely as the co-worker with a crush on Lars.

Not sure how wide of audience this will find, but I highly recommend to all adults ... it is not a film for kids. Hopefully the academy takes notice of the film, the writing and the acting ... all top notch.