How painful to watch Ryan Gosling, one of the most elastic actors of his generation, smirk and gawp and grimace his way through Craig Gillespie's smarmy little number about a pudgy Midwestern office drudge so terrified of human contact that the only, um, person he can bond with is a mail-order Brazilian sex doll. Lurking within the high concept is a Triggering Trauma so wasting (and banal) that it takes not only loving relatives (Paul Schneider and Emily Mortimer) but a whole village of empathic Scandinavian stoics to sort him out, steered by a therapist played by Patricia Clarkson, giving her dry best shot to hoary old bromides like "It's not a mental illness, it's a form of communication." In fact, as Six Feet Under writer Nancy Oliver ought to know, barking mad might have made a movie. Instead, Lars and the Real Girl wobbles in a slow, toneless no-man's-land between mawkish and schmaltzy while trafficking shamelessly in heartland stereotypy.
This is an important film. It deserves much larger notice than it has received and much more appreciation for its insight from someone who is a "critic".
This film demonstrates how human beings create the dramas in their lives to begin to resolve deep seated issues and how acceptance of a person's quirks by a larger community leads to growth and discovering the truth about itself.
I have never read a review by this "critic" before, but will look in on Ella's opinions more often now as a "perfect reverse barometer".
Sherry 08/23/2009 5:49:00 PM
Yikes! Your ugly cynicism is not appreciated with regards to this fine film. Apparently, you cannot step outside of your own bitter and sleazy world view to see "Lars and the Real Girl" for what it truly is . . . and that's very sad. Okay, so it isn't fast, loud, violent, or filled with Tarantino/Coward/Mamet-type dialog. It's not set in L.A. or NYC, and the characters aren't beautiful, model-stylish, or high-falutin' intellectuals. And despite the built-in lewd potential, it's not sexy. So what? Do films all have to be that way for you to think it's worthy?
"Lars" is a lovely, quiet, affectingly humanist movie. It plays true and sweet, and doesn't hit a false note. Ryan Gosling's performance is astonishing in it's low-key complexity. When Patricia Clarkson's GP/psychiatrist put her hand on Lars neck and he jumped out of his skin, so did I. When he watched his pretty co-worker flirt with someone else, I felt his jealousy. When he resuscitated her lynched toy teddy bear, I laughed with delight and understood his empathy and offbeat charm. When he argued with his "girlfriend", I knew why. And when he *SPOILER* attended her funeral, I cried.
To anyone reading this: don't let Ella Taylor's nasty little review deter you from seeing this wonderful film. Open your mind - and your heart - and enjoy!
Robert 11/20/2008 8:59:00 PM
Smarmy! Really! Boy, did you miss this one. Obviously you didn't see the same cut that I saw along with Roger Ebert & Kenneth Turan. Were you having a particularly bad day when you decided to review this film? Too bad. Take a deep breath Ella & relax. Hey! And maybe go see it again. Oh! by the way I live in one of those pudgy Midwestern towns. It's called South Bend Indiana. Not as sophisticated as maybe New York but it works for me. I've lived in New York also Ella. Peace Bob
Rich 05/24/2008 10:23:00 AM
Did you see the same cut of this film that I did? Once again, you offer up a review that seems to reveal an obtuse, stubborn inclination never to see hope in any story. From now on I'll be sure to see any film you write off as worthless.
dallaspeter 10/30/2007 8:48:00 AM
sad that you missed the complete and utter charm of this film...Goslings performance was perfectly understated, and the rest of the cast was wonderful. I laughed and cried with this movie, and that rarely happens....I think you missed this one.
