I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
If you thought that making a movie where a lonely man falls in love with a sex doll was a silly idea, you were wrong. What might have turned out as a lame extended joke, cooked up by smug creative types who think they're funnier than they are, is actually a sweet, warm comedy that stays well away from cynicism or sarcasm and might win over the most skeptical viewer.
The great script from Nancy Oliver, who wrote on Six Feet Under, is engaging in a gentle way. It's free from sentimentality, and paints characters with detailed strokes, providing them with believable dialogue and understandable motives.
Ryan Gosling once again proves his versatility as a young actor with his portrayal of Lars Lindstrom, a lonely man who shuns any social interaction aside from an occasional comment to dull workmates or visits to church on Sundays. He lives in his brother's garage, locked up inside, barely even courageous enough to acknowledge his sister-in-law when she invites him over for dinner. His subsequent affection for sex-doll Bianca is quite touching.
The supporting characters are equally endearing. Emily Mortimer is extremely likable as pregnant sister-in-law Karin. Her husband Gus (Paul Schneider) speaks the voice of reason as a dryly humourous spokesperson for the audience. Patricia Clarkson is quietly subdued as the doctor who tries some therapy with Lars.
Costume and art direction create the chilly atmosphere of snow-bound northern America. The bleak landscape and big open skies reflect Lars' loneliness. Characters wear unfashionable patterned jumpers and big woolen boots. The result has a similar feel to working in a warm office on a stormy winter's day – you're glad to be inside, it cheers you up a little.
This story wears its heart on its checkered flannel sleeve. It succeeds because of the subtlety of its humour and its likable characters. The filmmakers have deftly sidestepped the potentially awkward 'high-concept' and instead delivered a genuinely optimistic, warmhearted fairytale.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
Surprisingly good - on so many levels. Highly reccommended to those who want to get 'something' more from a movie than just entertainment; learn how to respect the human mind and the power of community.
The thought that supposedly caring townspeople in a northern Midwest American hamlet would play along for months with a young man's mental illness is unrealistic enough. Add a downbeat component of slow scene-setting and lethargic plot, and you have the true makings of "downer of the year". I actually had to turn the DVD off prior to the denouement, lest I be forced to make the decision of whether or not to shoot myself. Spend your time and money on something more worthwhile than this sad piece of "emperor's new clothes"-style film. If bare indicates quality, this movie possesses a brazen amount of nudity.
I went into the movie thinking it would go one of two ways: 1) weird and slightly off-putting or 2) endearing and kooky. Thankfully it most definitely fell into the second option. Such a sweet story with wonderful acting. I can't fault a single thing.
The movie starts as a depressing tale of a depressing man called Lars who won't even eat dinner with his brother and his 'brother's helpful' wife. But instead chooses to stay in his room beside the garage in the cold with little else but a bed inside. One day at the office whilst the local 'awkward' girl who is obviosuly totally in love with Lars is trying to capture his attention. The local 'asshole' at work (who is probably the best character in the film) tells Lars about real sized dolls - and how you can get them in any shape and style. Lars takes this little bit of advice and ends up buying a doll who is Bianca a missionary. A missionary in slut filled clothing. Anyway, it ends up being a pathetic tale of a pathetic guy that could have been more comedic in parts but decided to play a morality tale instead. Bad Move. Ryan Gosling was great in 'Half Nelson' but this film tries to hard to be an independent film - and should've really been a full blown comedy. I wanted it to end and I was glad when someone died.
Gives you plenty to talk about when you leave the theatre, well written and a must see sleeper. See it twice!
Unlike Little Miss Sunshine, this is an indie comedy with real soul, not all too perfectly quirky characters whose lives fall apart according to the jokes. What struck me is how amazingly real the premise is played, never pandering to the comedy and never pushing false profundity and hope on us...
A sweet, touching beautifully crafted film which tackles some tricky themes with a great deal of sensitivity and warm-hearted humour.
Kind, sweet, and innocent, weird, heartbreaking and at times cruel, this carefully crafted low-budget film is full of an endearing kind of humanity.
This is a pitch-perfect and gently satirical small-town yarn - the sort of thing Garrison Keillor might have found himself narrating. Sure, it takes a willing credulity to really buy into Lars - is this a town without one single obnoxious teenager? - but if you do, you'll find this a great little film. Like Little Miss Sunshine, Lars and the Real Girl takes an unlikely story and spins it into some real gold.
A strangely affecting romance with real heart -- and another sign that Gosling is one of the best young actors around.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 10th Apr 2008.
Release date: April 10th 2008.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
