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| Poster artwork for the film Lars and the Real Girl. |
Love Beyond Delusion by Linh
Australian-born director Craig Gillespie has struck cinematic gold with his second film as director. Following his directorial debut with the less successful Mr Woodcock, Gillespie’s Lars and the Real Girl has become a quirky hit with critics and audiences.
The film was a labour of love for Craig Gillespie, who had spent four years convincing film studios the script was fantastic, yet nobody was interested.
The result of Gillespie’s perseverance and determination and the brilliant ensemble cast makes Lars and the Real Girl an absolute gem.
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| HELLO DOLLY: Lars (Ryan Gosling) invites Bianca over to his brother's house for dinner in the film Lars and the Real Girl. Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios/ Kimmel Entertainment. |
Lars and the Real Girl tells of a lonely young man who suffers from delusional disorder and decides to seek a solution to his problem – by ordering a life-size and anatomically correct doll over the internet as a companion.
The marketing and promotional material chose to make Lars and the Real Girl sound more American Pie which may appeal to a younger male-dominated audience, rather than the truly profound, surreal and heart-warming film it is.
The characters are what one may expect from a quiet, little sleepy Midwest American town. Yet, they are remarkable in helping someone who they believe is obviously in need of assistance and love. Their sympathy turns to support and their gossip becomes respect for Lars and his new companion, Bianca.
An emerging star in Hollywood, Ryan Gosling gives an impressive performance as Lars Lindstrom with problems both emotional and mental. Lars had a difficult childhood with his mother dying soon after he was born, his older brother left the family at an early age and he had to live with his father who was still grieving.
Throughout his life, Lars always felt lonely and never knew how to connect with other people and love someone. He doesn't like to be touched and keeps to himself most of the time.
Ryan Gosling is superb in the way he enables his character to gain acceptance from everyone and his child-like nature is endearing, yet his incessant squinting does distract.
Actor, writer and director Paul Schneider’s portrayal of Lars’ macho and arrogant older brother Gus Lindstrom, is a wonderful contrast to Lars’ naïve and gentle personality. Gus is the only one unable to deal with Lars’ delusional disorder and he eventually makes an effort to help Lars.
Schneider brings to his character the right amount of criticism and unwillingness to accept Lars and his new girlfriend, Bianca.
British actress Emily Mortimer plays Lars’ pregnant sister-in-law, Karin who cares for him unlike Gus who remains distant from Lars. Karin is almost a maternal figure for Lars with her constant invites for him to leave the garage and live with her and Gus, then asking him over for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Karin does all she can to make Bianca feel at home and comfortable, then becomes furious and upset when Lars accuses her and everyone else for not caring about him.
Emily Mortimer does a decent job of tackling an American accent but slips into her British tones occasionally. Despite this minor blip, she is amazingly believable and wonderful as Karin.
The 'Real Girl' of the title could well be Margo, the girl who works in Lars’ office and has taken an interest in him. Bianca is Lars’ real love at the beginning until he takes a step forward in his recovery by reaching out to Margo.
Kelli Garner is an enchanting Margo with similar issues as Lars but deals with it differently. Garner cleverly gives Margo a blend of vulnerability and assurance in scenes where Lars is with Bianca and other parts when Lars is alone.
A driving force in the drama and emotion of the film is Dr Dagmar Berman whom Karin and Gus seek for advice on helping Lars. Dr Berman's advice on "going along with it" surprises them at first but they agree to it for Lars' sake.
Patricia Clarkson is a calm and composed Dr Dagmar Berman and her role as a psychologist for Lars is as much a friend as it is a professional relationship. Clarkson is convincing as the widowed and childless doctor who grows closer to Lars as she learns more about his delusional disorder and his perceptions of himself and others.
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| FAMILY MEAL: Lars (Ryan Gosling) and his girlfriend Bianca share a meal with Gus (Paul Schneider) and Karin (Emily Mortimer) in the film Lars and the Real Girl. Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios/ Kimmel Entertainment. |
The supporting cast for Lars and the Real Girl does an excellent job in giving the film a warm and caring vibe yet keeps it 'real' for Lars and Bianca with humour and fun.
Other notable performances include Nancy Beatty's understanding and kind Mrs Gruner, Karen Robinson's observant and lively receptionist Cindy, and of course Bianca, the girl who made the life-changing events for Lars possible.
There are funny moments and sadness at times in the film, as Nancy Oliver's superb script weaves comedy into drama and throws some poignancy into the mix.
Lars and the Real Girl is all about connecting with others in ways other than sexual intercourse, reaching out to touch someone and being part of a community. It's an independent film that takes you on a fun ride through the mind and heart of Lars Lindstrom and those around him.
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| REACHING OUT: Lars (Ryan Gosling) and Bianca at church in the film Lars and the Real Girl. Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios/ Kimmel Entertainment. |
Director: Craig Gillespie
Writer: Nancy Oliver
(screenplay)
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Paul Schneider, Kelli Garner, Nancy Beatty, Karen Robinson, RD Reid, Joe Bostick, Liz Gordon, Nicky Guadagni, Doug Lennox, Billy Parrott, Maxwell McCabe-Lokos
Producers: Sarah Aubrey, Peter Berg, Whitney Brown, Bruce Toll, John Cameron, William Horberg, Sidney Kimmel
Original Music Composer: David Tom
Cinematographer: Adam Kimmel
Film Editor: Tatiana S Reigel
Languages: English and Spanish
Running Time: 1 hour and 46 minutes
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