Lars and the Real Girl

*** (3 stars) [In accordance with the new 4 star rating system]

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Genre: Comedy/Drama
106 minutes - PG13 rating
Director: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, Patricia Clarkson

Brief Plot: Lars (Gosling), a quiet, delusional and lonely young man, buys a sex-doll online. He then tells his family and the community that the doll is his girlfriend, Bianca.

Best Audience: Lars and the Real Girl is a touching and heartfelt film. Even with it's PG13 rating it is free from most objectionable content. If you hate slow moments in movies, however, this is not the film for you.

My Review: Ryan Gosling was absolutely magnificent in this film. He shows a different acting side and is just exceptional as the lovable Lars. Mortimer and Schneider play his brother and sister-in-law who help care for him and they bring a lot to the story and to the emotional impact of the movie as well. With themes of community, caring, love, forgiveness, and kindness, Lars and the Real girl is a feel-good populist movie, and it's simple but unique plotline is executed very well. A thought-provoking, stunningly acted movie. Two thumbs up.