Lars and the Real Girl

Ryan Gosling gives another dazzling performance in Lars and the Real Girl, a gently naughty comic melodrama of love found and lost. Lars Lindstrom (Gosling), an awkward young man, lives in the garage beside his deceased father’s house. The main house is occupied by his recently returned brother, Gus (Paul Schneider), and pregnant sister-in-law, Karin (Emily Mortimer), who is delightfully overprotective of her oddball kid brother-in-law.

The town has a genuine affection for Lars; everyone would like to see him with a good wife, raising a family. So they joyfully greet the news that Lars has found a special friend. People are concerned when they learn that Lars and Bianca met online but this turns to panic, however, when his girlfriend arrives. Although lovely in her own way, the fact that Bianca is a “realistic” full-sized doll with an elaborate back story presents a problem for the town.

So far so cute. But the film takes an unusually dark and riveting turn in its second half that asks real questions about how we confront death, loneliness and even abuse. Its sad and powerful ending is a marvel I will not spoil.

Noah Cowan, Toronto Film Festival Programme

• Winner of Audience Award, Torino Film Festival
• Winner of Crystal Heart Award, Heartland Festival