Watch Lars and the Real Girl

Lars and the Real Girl is a 2007 comedy-drama directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Nancy Oliver. The movie stars Ryan Gosling as Lars, a socially awkward and withdrawn young man living in a small town in Wisconsin. Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider also star as his sister-in-law Karin and his best friend Margo, respectively. The film begins with Lars' co-workers attempting to set him up on a date, but Lars is clearly uncomfortable with the idea of meeting someone new. Shortly afterwards, Lars announces to Karin and her husband Gus that he has met someone online and that he wants her to come and stay with them.

To their surprise, Lars' new girlfriend is a life-sized, anatomically correct doll whom he introduces as Bianca. Lars treats Bianca as if she is a real person, taking her on dates, introducing her to his family and friends, and even sharing a bedroom with her. Karin and Gus are understandably concerned about Lars' mental health, and they take him to see a doctor who specializes in treating delusional disorders.

The doctor informs Lars' family that he is not dangerous or schizophrenic, but that he is simply dealing with a profound sense of loneliness and isolation. He suggests that they go along with Lars' delusion in a therapeutic way, and treat Bianca as if she were a real person.

The rest of the movie follows Lars and his community as they try to create a meaningful existence for Bianca and integrate her into their lives. The townsfolk eventually accept Bianca as a member of their community, and they throw her a birthday party and include her in other social events.

As the story unfolds, Lars begins to confront his own issues and address his past traumas with the help of Bianca, who serves as a kind of therapeutic proxy for him. He begins to open up to Margo and take steps to move forward in his emotional life.

The movie is a sensitive and respectful exploration of mental health issues and the human need for connection and intimacy. It balances humor with moments of genuine pathos and emotional depth, and the performances by the entire cast are fantastic.

Ryan Gosling gives a nuanced and deeply affecting portrayal of Lars, capturing both his idiosyncrasies and his ultimately sympathetic nature. Emily Mortimer is equally impressive as Karin, conveying both her love for Lars and her concern for his well-being. Paul Schneider provides a good counterpoint as Margo, offering a more grounded and pragmatic perspective on Lars' situation.

The movie also benefits from its measured pacing and subtle direction. Craig Gillespie allows the story to unfold at its own pace, allowing the characters and themes to develop organically. He resists the temptation to play the story for cheap sentimentality, instead opting for a more honest and authentic approach.

Overall, Lars and the Real Girl is a smart, funny, and emotionally resonant movie that deserves to be seen by a wide audience. It's a poignant reminder of the power of community, the importance of empathy, and the healing potential of love - in whatever form it may take.

Lars and the Real Girl is a 2007 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 70.