Lars And The Real Girl (Cert 12A) DVD Review

12:35pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

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TOUCHING, tender, funny and sweet, Lars and the Real Girl tells the story of Lars, a young recluse who becomes delusional and orders a doll from the Internet in a bid to end his loneliness.

Said doll, he christens Bianca and introduces to his brother Gus and sister-in-law Karin, as his girlfriend.

Despite the subject matter, Lars' relationship with Bianca is by no means sordid or wierd, thanks to extremely sensitive direction.

Beautifully shot and written, Lars And The Real Girl is both unique and compelling filmmaking.

The character of Lars, played to absolute perfection by the ever watchable Ryan Gosling, pulls at the heart strings as he uses Bianca to explore his feelings of isolation and abandonment and the relationship between the pair begins to embody the hang ups and neuroses he cannot articulate himself.

Despite the initial typical small town reaction to Bianca popping up at church and on walkabout with Lars, the community soon rallies behind him and his ‘real doll' in tremendously touching scenes that will win over even the hardest of hearts.

With a couple of unintentionally laugh out loud scenes, this is no romcom, more a feel good drama about acceptance, love, regret and understanding.

First class acting from a talented cast make Lars And The Real Girl one of the hits of 2008 and a movie that’ll stay with you long after the credits roll.

Make no mistake, Gosling is a bright new star in the Hollywood stratosphere and his raw talent is at times just plain awe inspiring.

Remember the name. An Oscar is sure to be heading his way.