Lars and The Real Girl (2007)

(Director) Craig Gillespie

(Writer) Nancy Oliver

(Producer) Sarah Aubrey

(Distributor) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

More often than not, whenever Hollywood dips into the realm of psychological illnesses, there tends to be two genres that hog the spotlight; thriller and comedy. In thriller films a mental illness or form of anxiety disorder is used as a motive for the lead antagonist's murders or evil deeds. While in the spectrum of comedy a mental deficiency is a comedic relief or a light-hearted joke; innocent humor to light the mood. Given we are treated to films such as "Rain Man" and "Forrest Gump" over the decades but even their handicapped protagonists push the limits of cliches and over the top drama. It's not often that we're given the chance to experience a main character who comes off as genuinely challenged and whose internal struggles come off as so depressingly real to the point that you actually feel like you're one of the surrounding people in their life being affected. "Lars and The Real Girl", while not perfect, is one of those films.

The story centers around Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling), our troubled lead character who lives in a garage belonging to his brother Gus (Paul Shcneider) and pregnant sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer). As the story progresses we learn that Lars and Gus' mother passed away in the middle of Lars' birth. Thus leaving his father alone to mourn and fall into a depression that frightened Gus to the point of selfishly leaving the house at an early age and never looking back. We come to piece together that this series of events involving guilty and abandonment are the cause of Lars' current mental state; a pool of self-esteem, extreme social anxiety, issues with attachment and extreme fear of reliance. Eventually (apparently) reaching a breaking point, Lars orders a Real Doll (link NSFW) and falls madly in love.

An absolutely thrilling risk this film takes is deviating from the expected and not losing credibility. It doesn't try too hard or use recycled gags to get you involved with the plot. Reading about the premise and seeing photographs from the film's production led me to believe that what I was going to watch would be humorous. Nothing made me think there would be any serious tones or heart wrenching moments. It comes off as something Michael Cera would star in; artistic comedy that might take itself too seriously but still raise some laughs. Even in the first ten minutes of the film you get this feeling that you're about to sit through an awkward comedy and nothing more. It surprised me when, after the first act, the entire film took on a completely different tone. You suddenly went from chuckles every minute to thought provoking, tear inducing moments with some light giggles here and there. The entire movie has a refreshing feel to it.

Throughout the film I noticed there were times where the plot felt a bit empty, rushed and unrealistic. There's a point in the storyline where we learn that Lars is extremely uncomfortable with physical human contact to the point that a simple grabbing of his arm causes an intense burning sensation throughout his body. This issue is emphasized greatly during a scene where Lars removes his coat and allows someone else to touch his arm for a few moments before getting extremely panicky. After that the subject is touched down on one more time before being forgotten entirely. Something that bothered me quite a bit is the film never provides a good transition into Lars' decision to buying the Real Doll. In the beginning of the film the character seems completely uninterested and slightly disgusted with the idea of owning one. Yet he suddenly buys one and the scene immediately beforehand provides no basis for this decision what-so-ever. And as for unrealism: throughout the entire film the residents of the town never truly object to the idea of someone dating a doll. I bought that the community accepted the idea and even tried to help but there were no struggles along the way. No road blocks, no confrontation, nothing. It felt way too catered to the main character and that sucked away a decent amount of emotional involvement.

Beyond those three factors the film is very enjoyable to watch and there are plenty of moments where your eyes will turn on some waterworks. The laughs are there and clever but for me, only in the form of giggles or chuckles, nothing laugh out loud worthy. To accompany the storyline is a great script and some fantastic acting. Ryan Gosling and Emily Mortimer put on a terrific performance in this film. You couldn't have asked for more convincing emotions, even amongst some of the wishy-washy plot development.

One last thing I want to touch down on is that this film supplies you with a great journey. The end isn't completely satisfying and the beginning goes by a little too fast but the middle is crisp, clean and extremely engaging. It's one of those films where you have to actually think about what you're watching in order to receive the best of the emotions. I don't know if it was the really good directing, wonderful screenplay or the acting but you feel as though you're watching the progression of a challenged individual's healing. Almost as though you're sitting there, in Lars' mind and feeling what he feels as he learns important lessons in the harsh reality of life.