Lars and The Real Girl...

As part of my blossoming love affair with all things Canadian, I want to talk about a very special film that was filmed in various locations in Ontario and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September last year.

Lars and the Real Girl, is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story. A small ,quiet and poignant film that teems with quiet desperation and true heart

Lars Lindstrom played by Ryan Gosling is a good man. He lives in the garage in his parents' house while his brother and sister-in-law - Gus and Karen - live in the main house, following their parents' death. Although he is kind to everyone, he epitomizes shyness and avoids any human contact with the town. While the people in the town pressure him to talk to the new girl at his work, Margo, he's too introverted. While at work one day, Lars' perverted coworker mentions a Real Doll that can be purchased to model an actual woman. Six weeks later an enormous crate is delivered to Lars' home.

That same evening, Lars knocks at Karin and Gus' door. "I have a visitor," he says, proud as can be. But when he produces his friend, she turns out to be not what anyone expected. "This is Bianca," he says, introducing a fully dressed, anatomically correct, life-size silicone doll. "She's not from here."

As Karin and Gus look on astonished, Lars explains that Bianca is a Brazilian/Danish missionary he met online who has to get around in a wheelchair and, because she is as religious as Lars, will have to sleep in the big house.

Despite the concerns of his friends and relatives, the local doctor, played to perfection by Patricia Clarkson tells them all that Lars is suffering from a delusion, - "Bianca's in town for a reason," and everyone who cares about Lars is going to have to deal with that."
She explains that since Lars otherwise has a highly functional personality that threatens no one, this delusion is a sign that he is working through some personal issues and his loved ones should play along in the meantime. With some persuasion, the entire town eventually participates as well with growing enthusiasm for this unusual, but enjoyable, activity as Lars continues to pursue what he perceives as a deep and meaningful relationship with the doll.
The joy of this film is 'capraesque', a small town pulling together to help one of their own, using love, support and friendship to help heal and repair the heart, spirit and soul of the damaged Lars.

If you have not seen this very special film ,make a point of seeing it very very soon.
Lars and The Real Girl - it's a real joy...

Queen Marie
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Comments

[jenna]

if you are into canadian indie movies, you should watch new waterford girl. it's a bit older, but it's really dark and funny. and the main character is really cool.

[Karen (Sequined Pants)]

I adored this film. I originally thought it the subject matter might be too 'out there' but it was an endearing and touching story. Beautifully shot. I also love Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson.

[Honey Juniper]

As soon as I saw the word "Real Doll" I thought of a documentary named "Guys and Dolls" I stumbled across a while back. It's about men who actually do substitute or supplement these dolls for human contact. Some of them are harmless if a bit sad and others are entirely creepy.

www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3710987618964917848

But on topic, "Lars and the Real Girl" sounds absolutely charming and in a totally different vein - time to hunt it down!

[Love aesthetics]

ooooohmygosh! those pictures look soo akward and hillarious!

[Secretista]

Hmmm... I don't know if I'll go see this.

[enc]

I've seen previews for this. I wonder how it'll do?

[P.Y.T.]

I've heard some less than favorable reviews, but I have not yet seen it so I certainly would should the chance arise. Actually, I've already seen two movies this year featuring Real Dolls. One was the documentary mentioned above, and the other was a short film submitted to a festival I intern at, so probably not widely available. But that documentary is extremely riveting, if not horrifying.

[Lady Smaggle]

Oh I loved this movie! I read somewhere that they treated the doll like a real person. She had a trailer and they wouldn't change her in front of other people and she got to breaks on the set and everything. It was so lovely. I was totally in love with Bianca by the end of it.

[Leslie]

I've been meaning to watch this film every since I saw stills of it on a film community I follow. It really seems like it would be my kind of movie, heavier on the question of the human condition and with thoughtful comedy.

A non sequitur really, but I am in complete and utter envy of Bianca's grandpa cardigan.

[Queen Michelle]

Honey Juniper - I saw that documentary! Very weird indeed.

[sanddancer]

I saw this last weekend and loved it. I found it very funny but also very sad - I had a small sob, hidden behind my glasses.

[Penny]

The fact that I paused the movie when a bridge was shot... in order to analyze it's structure makes me realize I need to get a life that doesn't involve architecture, pronto.

[Violetwired]

It always makes me happy to see someone in another country promoting Canadian cinema. Thanks! Canadians tend to not watch their own films - they account for a tiny percentage of the annual box office here.

[la femme]

I saw this in TO at the Festival. Thanks for posting about it :)

[Aja]

I saw this in the theater with my friend. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And the soundtrack's real purty. . .