Natalie 2Lars and the Real Girl-A Movie with Real Heart
April 27th 2008 08:28
This evening, I finally got around to watching the movie, "Lars and the Real Girl." Initially, I was just drawn in by my curiosity of the subject matter. But, by the end of the film, I was crying and laughing and feeling generally better about humanity.
Basic premise...Lonely man orders a sex doll, thinks she is real, and falls in love with her.
Ok, don't skip the movie on that description, because that is only the skeleton of the film. The movie really is about love, family, community, relationships, mental illness, decency, compassion, and acceptance.
Lars is a man who has been emotionally scarred. He has lost the ability (or never had it) to interact with society. He decides to order a lifelike doll to keep him company, and suffers from the delusion that she is real, and that she is his girlfriend.
While his family and the people in his small community are initially scandalized by his behavior, soon they are able to accept his condition (with the help of an insightful doctor) and they work together to prove to Lars, through their acceptance of his doll, that they love him, and that he is a welcome part of their lives.
Mental Illness is a very misunderstood phenomena, and it is most often treated with medication or institutionalization, and the sufferers are usually stigmatized by their community. This film introduces us to the idea that maybe, if people suffering from mental illness were treated with compassion rather than suppression, the outcome would be much more beneficial.
The acting is superb, particularly Ryan Gosling, in the roll of Lars, who completely takes the viewers breath away with his authenticity and grace in an unconventional role.
I can't think of a film in recent memory that has so touched my heart with it's wit, originality, and soul. I am so thankful that I gave "Lars and the Real Girl" a chance, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting and refreshing change in their movie watching routine.
Basic premise...Lonely man orders a sex doll, thinks she is real, and falls in love with her.
Ok, don't skip the movie on that description, because that is only the skeleton of the film. The movie really is about love, family, community, relationships, mental illness, decency, compassion, and acceptance.
Lars is a man who has been emotionally scarred. He has lost the ability (or never had it) to interact with society. He decides to order a lifelike doll to keep him company, and suffers from the delusion that she is real, and that she is his girlfriend.
While his family and the people in his small community are initially scandalized by his behavior, soon they are able to accept his condition (with the help of an insightful doctor) and they work together to prove to Lars, through their acceptance of his doll, that they love him, and that he is a welcome part of their lives.
Mental Illness is a very misunderstood phenomena, and it is most often treated with medication or institutionalization, and the sufferers are usually stigmatized by their community. This film introduces us to the idea that maybe, if people suffering from mental illness were treated with compassion rather than suppression, the outcome would be much more beneficial.
The acting is superb, particularly Ryan Gosling, in the roll of Lars, who completely takes the viewers breath away with his authenticity and grace in an unconventional role.
I can't think of a film in recent memory that has so touched my heart with it's wit, originality, and soul. I am so thankful that I gave "Lars and the Real Girl" a chance, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting and refreshing change in their movie watching routine.
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
This is a great review. I've been meaning to see this film for a couple of weeks now...hopefully this one
Tracy
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
How shallow of me.
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Ruby-You came to the wrong blog if you think there's anything wrong with swooning over an actor
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The wonderful Peter Yang's No.1 blog
The wonderful Peter Yang's Ghost Story Blog
Comment by Cheryl J
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Thank God winter is coming, I've put so many movies on my 'must see' list since joining Orble, my bum is going to be glued to the sofa!