Lars and the Real Girl

I watched "Lars and the Real Girl" last night when sleep was elusive, and I found myself very effected by the movie. It is very emotionally deep and, admittedly, I felt a somewhat pathetic sympathy for the title character, Lars. The movie is about a late 20's or 30ish shy man that has reached a mental breaking point in his life, and falls in love with a life-size plastic doll. Yes, it is that kind of doll, but the fact that it is that kind of doll is a very minuscule and unimportant part of the movie. Throughout the course of the film Lars projects and relates some of his own internal problems in and through his plastic affection. He fully believes that she is real, and those around him not only cannot convince him otherwise, but must end up embracing this "woman" as real. She helps Lars cope with the difficult life that he has to deal with around him, and in him. The emotions between Lars and the plastic woman are quite poignant, and the personal effect it had on me was profound. Lars is fighting through, among other things, the difficulty to find companionship, and love. I admit to really empathizing with his struggle in those areas. When you see that he reaches that point of desperation for friendship, companionship, and love that drives him to seek out those things in something inanimate, and somewhat absurd, I could relate on a certain level. I can relate to the feeling of loneliness, and need. My own life seems to coincide with some of Lars' needs and deficiencies in a similar way right now. No, I'm not going to go buy a giant doll, but the emotions are still similar to many of our own.

I don't want to give away the ending, or any major plot points, but I will say that it is NOT a movie that will leave you depressed afterwards. I tell you this because I know, through experience, that watching a drama that ends in pure, unresolved sadness is hard to like. This movie gives hope, and is thought-provoking. The actor who plays Lars (Ryan Gosling) is superb as well. I believe he was nominated for an Academy Award for this role. The movie sounds bizarre, but it is actually easier to accept the concept and the film than you might think. I was very skeptical, but was quite impressed. A must see in my opinion.

Rating: A