She's a living doll
This
plot sounds like it could be from an episode of the late lamented
Seinfeld, but that it’s certainly not. In fact
in Lars and the Real Girl we have a charming if quirky
film which reflects community spirit in a remote and wintry town,
when a shy local lad suffers the delusion a blow-up sex toy is
a real girl. Fortunately his intentions are strictly honourable
- he doesn’t even sleep in the same room as the doll. He’s
a gentle spirit and there’s no lewdness in him.
In a small Midwestern town Lars Lindstrom (Ryan
Gosling) works a dreary office job and lives in a garage behind
his brother’s house. He’s painfully shy, avoiding
even minor contact with others. The highlight of the week for
the small population is church on Sunday. But Lars’ world
is about to change when he orders a life size doll from a sex
toy manufacturer. He introduces ‘Bianca’ to his astonished
brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer)
as a Danish/Brazilian missionary “on sabbatical to experience
the world”.
There follows an hilarious scene at the dinner table
as the bewildered Gus and Karin gaze in disbelief at the sex doll
sitting up on a chair sharing their meal. Fearing Lars has completely
lost his marbles, they cart him off to the town’s physician,
Dr. Dagmar Berman (Patricia Clarkson) who suggests the best treatment
is to simply humour him. The problem is that the entire town’s
population has to go along with his delusion; which they do after
a little reservation. Co-worker at his office Margo (Kelli Garner)
has an eye on Lars hoping for a date, but the appearance of the
living doll intervenes. The extraordinary arrival of ‘Bianca’
leads to amusing, emotional and surprising results for both Lars
and the good people of the town who support his belief.
The
script is by Nancy Oliver (Six Feet Under) and under
the helm of Australian director Craig Gillespie. What makes this
movie work is the beautifully rounded performance by Ryan Gosling
(Half Nelson). He captures the character’s twitchy
shyness down to the eye blinking and nervous grin. It’s
a natural and compelling portrayal. He’s more than ably
supported by his co-stars who at times underplay the comic moments
to great advantage.
The excellent Paul Schneider (The Assassination
of Jesse James) is equally important to the story as the
horrified brother. He grabs some of the funniest lines and Emily
Mortimer (Match Point) is perfect as his sympathetic
very pregnant wife. While Patricia Clarkson (All The King’s
Men) playing the overworked local doctor with more than usual
insight and brings a weary conviction to her scenes. The usually
glam Kelli Garner (Dreamland) gets a make down treatment
for her plain girl next door role and is up to the challenge.
The photography of the location has a chilly feel except for a
couple of sunlit scenes which are appropriate to the mood.
The gentle comedy takes on more serious aspects
as it unfolds, as it looks beyond the funny side of the situation
giving some insights into the upbringing that may have lead to
Lars’ delusional state. There’s this feeling we’re
watching a slice of life because the characters are so believable.
The townspeople like Lars because he’s such a gentle, genuine
person, supporting him as a community by inviting ‘Bianca’
to various social activities.
It’s all quite touching in this warm hearted
fable about loneliness and a town’s affection for one of
its own. Might not appeal if you’re right into Rambo
but for many it will be a film you’ll enjoy and remember.
John Bale
