Lars and The Real Girl a real find
Nancy Oliver, whose previous writing credits include the TV series Six Feet Under, succeeds in creating an honest and accessible motion picture. She steers her narrative away from bawdy sexual humor, despite the presence of a porno doll and establishes a believable emotional journey, adept at avoiding the melodramatic.
The success of the film, however, also rides on the strong performance by Ryan Gosling and Emily Mortimer (Lars's sister-in-law). Gosling, whose career began in childhood, is perhaps more recently recognized for his award-winning kiss in The Notebook. In Lars and the Real Girl he fulfills the demands of a complex and emotionally demanding role. Emily Mortimer brings forth a maternal sleeve as her character provides the source of strength and compassion in the family's struggle.
While the story moves lightly and smoothly, thanks to directorship of Craig
Gillespie, it may be accused of explaining too much. There are a few scenes wasted on explaining the obvious. The stirring aspect of the film is the subtle and gentle growth of emotion and of Lars' exploration towards reuniting with reality.
This being said, the film includes a few hackneyed metaphors and symbols that are superfluous themselves. The audience ought to have been given more credit in understanding the growth of Lars.
If you are looking for an out-of-the-ordinary film, Lars and the Real Girl is quite a find. It's something wholesome and something sweet, but is most powerful in its subtle exploration of emotional suffering. While inter-human drama is not the focus, the emotions are; perhaps, though, it is Bianca's unbroken security that offers the greatest lesson.
The success of the film, however, also rides on the strong performance by Ryan Gosling and Emily Mortimer (Lars's sister-in-law). Gosling, whose career began in childhood, is perhaps more recently recognized for his award-winning kiss in The Notebook. In Lars and the Real Girl he fulfills the demands of a complex and emotionally demanding role. Emily Mortimer brings forth a maternal sleeve as her character provides the source of strength and compassion in the family's struggle.
While the story moves lightly and smoothly, thanks to directorship of Craig
Gillespie, it may be accused of explaining too much. There are a few scenes wasted on explaining the obvious. The stirring aspect of the film is the subtle and gentle growth of emotion and of Lars' exploration towards reuniting with reality.
This being said, the film includes a few hackneyed metaphors and symbols that are superfluous themselves. The audience ought to have been given more credit in understanding the growth of Lars.
If you are looking for an out-of-the-ordinary film, Lars and the Real Girl is quite a find. It's something wholesome and something sweet, but is most powerful in its subtle exploration of emotional suffering. While inter-human drama is not the focus, the emotions are; perhaps, though, it is Bianca's unbroken security that offers the greatest lesson.
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patrick
posted 4/24/08 @ 6:42 PM EST
the over all look and feel of Lars and the Real Girl reminded me a lot of Mozart the over all look and feel of Lars and the Real Girl reminded me a lot of Mozart and the Whale (Josh Hartnett plays a character resembling Ryan Gosling?s); both movies are about acceptance and unconditional love
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