Lars and the Real Girl - Now on video
Starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, Kelli Garner and Patricia Clarkson

I was curious about this film. My book club members (all women) raved about it. My friend, Mark, wasn’t so complimentary. Was this a case of girl versus guy, a chick flick designed to appeal to women? I’m still not sure of the answer. But I do know this: I really enjoyed this film.

What bothered Mark wasn’t so much the fact that Lars befriends Bianca, a blow-up plastic doll (at least I didn’t hear him complaining about it), but that the entire town (think school board members and hospital volunteers) embraces Ms. Blowup and seamlessly weaves her into their daily lives. Yet this is exactly why I loved this film. At its core, Lars and the Real Girl is a movie about mental illness, acceptance, and the lengths to which we will go to accommodate those we love. Yes, it requires a leap of faith for the town and for the audience, but go for the ride. You’ll be glad you did.

Lars, played perfectly by the always talented Ryan Gosling, is a kind, quiet, likable guy with a few quirks, not the least of which is a blossoming relationship with a life-size doll. Lars’ brother ( Paul Schneider ) initially balks at a doctor’s recommendation to play along with the delusion (explained simply and matter-of-factly by the subtle, powerful Patricia Clarkson), but he eventually gets on board, behaving as though Bianca is the real deal. What follows is a sweet ride through the world of delusion and make-believe that just may have you asking, “What’s really real, anyway?”

If you’re looking for traditional Hollywood fare, this isn’t the film for you. If, however, you’re looking for a lyrical movie with well-defined characters, a strong storyline, and heartfelt emotion, Lars and the Real Girl is worth the rental fee. Adding to its charm (at least for me) is the simple fact that the actors look like real people. It seems an odd statement when the lead actress is literally made of plastic, but it’s becoming such an anomaly for big-budget American movies to have a true-to-life look you see in foreign films. When I see such a film, I rejoice. Here, there are no mega-stars hiding behind bleached teeth and Botoxed faces, no headline-grabbing hotties posing rather than performing. No, this is art. Really good art. Enjoy.