The premise of “Lars and the Real Girl” sounds outrageous and ripe for comedy. A lonely young man orders a realistic sex doll from the Internet and seems to believe that she’s real, toting her around as his girlfriend. I was ready for a hip sarcastic comedy, but the film succeeded because of the opposite virtue: total sincerity.
Ryan Gosling, who was wonderful in “Half Nelson” turns in another extremely believable performance in a tricky role as Lars, a shy young man living in the garage behind his married brother’s house. The film does a good job of slowly releasing information about his lifestyle and disposition, so that the turn of events is surprising but natural.
Gosling does an amazing job of playing a mentally ill guy without flailing, rocking or generally reducing his character to accepted cinematic tics and tricks trotted out to indicate insanity.
Indie film regulars Paul Schneider and Emily Mortimer play Lars’ family. Focused on their pregnancy, the couple find themselves going much farther than they ever imagined for Lars. The most important thing they do is take him to see a doctor, played by Patricia Clarkson. This is when the film begins to evolve to a new level of seriousness, as Clarkson exudes gravitas and intelligence.
Her voice alone in this film is a giant step forward for womankind on camera. Her doctor is incredibly sensitive and intuitive, yet she is widowed, childless and unsentimental. It was absolutely bracing to watch her help Lars, and set the tone for his family and, in turn, the entire town, as they unexpectedly embrace Lars’ delusions to help him cope with his problems.
Not surprisingly, the conductor of this astonishing balancing act was nominated for an Academy Award for her truly unusual screenplay. Nancy Oliver has been primarily a television writer and producer for one of the most accomplished and moving television shows of recent memory, “Six Feet Under,” writing seven episodes of one of my favorite shows. But this film lacks that show’s theatricality and is based entirely in realism. It takes place in a long, cold winter, and the characters are all completely real, except, of course, for one.
That must be the key to the trick that “Lars and the Real Girl” pulls off. The cast completely believe in Lars and his doll. If anyone cracked a smile, the illusion would be ruined, like when the Roadrunner looks down and falls when he realizes he’s in midair.
The result is a film with a ridiculous premise that against all odds is extremely beautiful and moving. It’s interesting and sweet, not silly and mean. You will be surprised when by the end, you aren’t smirking, you are crying. It was a really unexpected and wonderful experience that I highly recommend.
“Lars and the Real Girl” is currently available to rent.
For more independent films like that one, the Mobile Public Library has a great little indie series going on every Thursday in Bernheim Hall at the Main (downtown) library. It’s free, and you could get yourself a cute little date night going; I happen to find Bernheim Hall utterly charming, and the films are very well selected. You already missed “Lars,” but the upcoming schedule is very good.
On June 19, they are showing “The Namesake,” a great film about a young man trying to justify his Indian roots to his own American experience. On June 27 they are showing the 2007 comedy “Death at a Funeral.” All films start at 7 p.m. Call 208-7097 or visit www.mplonline.org for more information.
Contact Asia Frey at afrey@lagniappemobile.com.
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