Lars and the Real Girl (2008)

Yes life can be strange and this is not your usual Hollywood rom com. I really enjoyed this but my husband only watched the beginning so not for everyone! If you look past the obvious (young lonely guy buys lifesize doll for company and believes/treats her as though she is real) it is a touching character study with a feel good ending. Strange but strangely beautiful!!

This film was a breath of fresh air! Certainly it is on the quirky side of dark comedy/ drama, but who is to say anything in life is actually normal or not? Perhaps the character Lars is not typical, but his feelings and thoughts are indeed so. Captivating storyline, brilliant cinematography and camera action, with a wonderful underlying message of tenderness and love; Lars and the Real Girl is a film that makes you stop and think. Admittedly it also made me laugh out loud, cringe, sympathize, and at one point feel on the verge of tears. It is quite a journey, and really it is a beautiful journey at that! Very impressed with this film - 4 stars.

I didnt watch it until the end, I normally like quirky films but this one just wasnt my cup of tea.

A beautiful film! Makes me smile just thinking about it.

I loved it!! It's a movie that I want to keep & I will purchase it. Ryan Gosling was amazing & very believable. I laughed, I cried and I felt that I was along on the journey. It's a feel good movie.

Hit a little too close to home.

Beautiful film - well written and acted. A bit slow for me to be called a comedy - more of a sweet drama.

I had heard good things about this film before viewing so it came as a disappointment. The premise sounds creepy - a lonely misfit takes a blow-up doll as companion - but the film goes to great lengths to dilute the creep factor. We are led to believe that Lars doesn't have sex despite the doll's "anatomically correct" body parts! In the end the film fails on credibiltiy. Even farce must have a semblance of reality and when the town assembles in church for the dolly's funeral, my skeptic alarm, which had been ringing quietly throughout the film, just couldn't be ignored. Nice performances but for me the film was much ado about not much at all.

It is a dark comedy, you don't really laugh, it leans more to a sad drama which makes you pity everyone in the film and ending leaves you unfulfilled. The films strong point is that it doesn't have the usual Hollywood sugar, but in part was too subtle; you want get the point of the film as you watch it, not hours later as you try put the film together. Over all the film really lacked strong characters, all the characters were blended and all cut from the same liberal Hollywood stereotype of "lets accept everything". Sad, silly but a nice story, but too slow, too bland and too intellectual to be anything but a cult dvd. I don't recommended this film if you like romance, because this film is not a comedy but absurd, it plays on romantic themes but with a sad, rare mental disorder of delusional love of an object than almost transforms into a beautiful love story between a man and a women when he get over his delusions, but ends sadly right back where it started.

Not a bad film, but just not what I expected. If you thought this was a comedy, it's not, in fact it is quite a sad film. You will enjoy if you like dramas, just wasn't my thing.

I am smitten with how beautiful this movie was. When you explain the premise to friends, you can't get a word in from all the laughter. At its heart it is very profound, and moving that it says so much about relationships, being lonely, community, mental illness, and the courage it takes to change. Become one of my all time faves

Truly wonderful film. I laughed and cried along with the characters-it is a subtle, well written and brilliantly acted film.

Silly, sad, unbelievable. I could not recommend this movie.

an excellent film about how a community can help a person with a mental illness threough co-operative action

Acting was beautiful, Ryan Gosling you are a star. Really lovely story, very funny in parts

This is a very surprising movie. The acting is exceptional, especially of Ryan Gosling, and it is extremely funny and sweet.

total garbage

Fabulous movie, a lovely story about community

Nothing like I expected! Watched to the end though cause I had to see what happened.....

Ryan Gosling beautiful. The complete cast was excellent. Loved the plot and the sensitive unfolding.

This movie was not for me. I found it really weid and let my husband watch it. He thought it strange but he did enjoy it.

An unusual movie that improves as it progresses. Sometimes hard to believe but the premise grows as you continue watching. Acting is superb and, all in all, a very tight package that leaves you feelig all is not necessarily wrong with the world.

A movie which surprises you. The cringe factor disappears quickly as you are drawn into the world of Lars, his family and the wonderfully supportive community in which he lives. The actors are superb and do great justice to a tale that is difficult on so many levels. Heartwarming.

One of the most touching and evocative movies I've seen in a long time. Ryan Gosling is incredible - great movie all up, very unique.

I wished I would have seen this movie sooner. Ryan Gosling is a brilliant actor and was exceptional in this film about a young guy with some real emotional and mental issues. How the community and his family band together to help him is inspiring. Some very sad moments as well as some hilarious ones. We could all learn something from this REAL movie.

a butifull and and honest film. mars prob hates it

I really enjoyed this movie. Nothing like I've ever seen before. One of a kind.

An unusual film with a feel good quality to it. Ryan Gosling performs remarkably well and helps you to understand his character. Certainly a watch for those who enjoy something creative and different.

I loved this movie. It was so well thought out. This is not a movie to just look at, it is something to watch and think about.

I watched this movie twice, which doesn't often happen. I laughed and I cried. How inspiring and refreshing to watch a movie done with meaning sensitivity and humour !

Loved the way this movie became about a supportive community rather than a really sad guy who clearly had some mental health issues. Something to be said for how we can all be tolerant and supportive. Quirky little film - really liked it.

So much more than I expected. Magnificent.

If you are expecting a good story line that keeps you glued to the screen then DON'T HIRE THIS MOVIE!! It was boring with a hint of something...just not sure what it is.

Everyone told me, this is a great movie, different and interesting. I read what it was about and knew it would not appeal to me, however as the movie buff that I am, I gave it a shot, and found it silly, confusing and disturbing. I understand that can happen in real life but I feel that was taken to the extreme of things. All the way through I just shook my head at every conversation, every scene, and every character. Bad storyline, okay casting but overall a really big let down, due to my like for Ryan Gosling and his acting ability.

Offbeat if somewhat predictable drama comedy dealing with an unsual psychological problem. Lacks punch in the end. 3.5 stars

A little weird, with an unusual theme, but worth a watch.

I avoided this film thinking it was about a man with a sexual dysfunction. So glad a friend recommended! It is a brilliant movie, albeit slow paced, showing a caring and loving community's involvement in one man's life!

Three and a half stars. A very original and off-beat story. Ryan Gosling was brilliant with Emily Mortimer (the English actress) terrific as Lars' sister-in-law. Let this one work it's magic on you. It may take a while but it will happen. Don't be afraid to laugh-go on it's OK. Although the situation is sad the film is made to entertain and make you feel good. Recommended for those who don't need explosions in their movies.

Just outright Stupid!

This movie was intelligent, thought provoking, funny and heart warming. There was nothing rude of crass about this movie, it was about pure love. The love of a family, the love of a community and most importantly the love of one man. I strongly suggest that anyone who watches movies for their plot, not their gore or notoriety, watch this movie. It's worth every second of your time.

This was hardly worth two stars what a pathetic movie. Boring and rediculous where is the comedy. Please....how pathetic.....do not watch this

Unusal movie but was entertaining

I was totally surprised how this film made you feel emotionally for a lifesize doll! We hired it for a laugh but got much more, good laughs all round there were plenty but a film that left a feel-good taste in your mouth. Give it a go.

A very different, but entertaining movie. A story line that I wasn't expecting.

Absolutely delightful. It's not really a comedy, but I chuckled from start to finish - and it left me with the feeling that there IS hope for a better world!

Endearing and refreshing; doesn't fall back on stereotypical storytelling. Really clever and very, very funny.

This is the best movie I've seen in a long time!

Fantastic Movie, great for those who are not into predictable humor, but love a bit of black comedy. Also has a warming story and characters who are easy to enjoy.

LOVED this movie. Gentle, subtle and funny. The movie is about so much more than what you think. A real surprise package. Highly recommend this movie to those with a slightly left of centre sense of humour. 5 stars

This is a really weird / interesting / disturbing yet brilliant film! The acting is sensational. Well worth the watch.

If you put the idea of a sex doll out of your mind, this is a very nice and sort of sad movie about a young man who is a bit of a loner and introvert, and just wants companionship/love.

Wow, this was a really great movie. Not at all what I was expecting. It is just a sweet story about a town that all rally together to support one of there own, when he really needs it. Great script, great acting. and Ryan is fantastic.

Great movie. Emotive, funny and heartwarming. Definite must see.

very enjoyable movie, perhaps a little saccharine at points but very worthwhile as a quirky feel good movie

Interesting premise but so poorly told, it just became ridiculous. It got progressively worse and I couldn't wait for it to end. But not bad enough to turn it off.

At first I thought that this was a dog, a one line joke extended into movie length. Then staying with teh film, it's charm really began to work, and I laughed. A lot. This is a quirky and funny film with a lot to give. I loved the way Lars' "girl" developped as the film went on. I wish we all lived in that accepting place.

a strange show, telling how a man is socially isolated from normal life, bieng very shy and having trouble communicating his inner feelings, he becomes attached to a blow up doll to fullfill his emptyness, but with the help with the townfolk the journey back to reality has a nice ending

Beautiful story and amazing acting. Highly recommended

I LOVE Ryan Gosling but I HATE this movie. Never want to hear another thing about it again... absolute waste of time.

A lovely movie. A totally ridiculous premise, but it's so well done that you want to believe it. Good acting and a good script all go to make it a sweet experience.

A truly gorgeous film that looks at the better side of human nature without getting all sickly. A total surprise

Great movie, very original and a plot that draws you in all the to the end. Highly rated.

with elegance and compassion this film explores the brave, unorthodox and creative way a young man comes to grips with his past. his journey also acts as a healing catalyst for his community. i loved the understatement of strong emotions, finding myself deeply moved.

What a truly beautiful, touching film. Very offbeat, Lars and the Real Girl deals with the serious mental health issue of delusion in a sensitive, humorous way. It is suberbly cast and well-written and suitable for all ages, and both sexes. The characters are well rounded and it is skilfully directed. A MUST SEE.

Strange, funny, touching and thoroughly enjoyable movie.

3 and a half star, just hope that human being is that accepting and kind.

Excellent movie, have to see it a couple of times.

What a fantastic movie. Original, poignant and very heart-warming. If only more communities were like the one in this movie as they support Lars and Bianca. Great performances, particularly Ryan Gosling (again).

An interesting insight in to the pressures of mental illness. Gosling is amazing and very convincing. Highly recommended.

One of the most enjoyable movies we have seen in years. The premise is weird, but it was perfectly put together. Great script and intelligent acting kept the histrionics down and the emotions bubbling along without going over the top.

Acually expecting either something really good or really bad. It would have been a masterpiece if not for the usual gang of sentimental small town folk plucked straight from Gilmore Girls and the like. Worth checking out all the same.

A real unexpected joy, given the story line. An evenly paced poignant story with a great performance from Ryan Gosling. Some might think it heavy on the schmaltz but I found it perfect for the sensitive topic and perhaps optimistic, but believable, sentiment of the small town characters.

An extraordinary film. Funny and touching. A completely original script that looks at the topic of mental illness in a compassionate and unexpected way. It avoids going over the top by creating a believable scenario of a community that comes together to help Lars overcome his grief and reconnect with the real world. In the process they all find new connections themselves. One of the best films of the year.

Don't let the suspect story line put you off, this is a fantastic movie. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

fANTASIC GENTLE PACED UNUSUAL FILM HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Great movie, funny and original