| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From director J.J. Abrams comes the next installment in the Star Trek saga, Star Trek Into Darkness. Watch it in theaters now and pre-order on Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, DVD, and the Exclusive Starfleet Phaser Gift Set. Shop Star Trek Into Darkness and more in the Star Trek Store. Learn more |
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
To some, Lars and the Real Girl will play as comedy; to others, tragedy. Though Craig Gillespie (Mr. Woodcock) allows Lars Lindstrom (a mustachioed Ryan Gosling, miles away from Half Nelson) a happy ending, the road is far from smooth. This rumpled Midwesterner couldn't be more miserable. His brother, Gus (Paul Schneider, All the Real Girls), and sister-in-law, Karin (Emily Mortimer, Lovely and Amazing), fall over themselves to cheer him up, but Lars cannot be moved; he’s been like that since childhood. Then a porn-addicted co-worker hips him to the lifelike Real Doll. The next thing everyone knows, Lars has a new girlfriend named Bianca. She's from Brazil, she's shy, and she uses a wheelchair. She's also made of silicon. (Because Lars is a devout Christian, hanky-panky is out of the question.) Since he's finally emerging from his shell, his doctor, Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson), advises Gus and Karin to play along with the "delusion." Soon the whole town, including Margo (Kelli Garner), who harbors a not-so-secret crush on her officemate, gets in on the action, forcing Lars to rejoin the human race or crawl deeper into psychosis. Written by Six Feet Under's Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl is built around such a preposterous premise, it's hard to know whether to laugh or cry. Fortunately, the actors play it straight. Gosling does his best to make Lars sympathetic, but Schneider and Mortimer, fully convincing in their concern, are the true heart and soul of this odd little film. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Stills from Lars and the Real Girl
Beyond Lars and the Real Girl
 More from Ryan Gosling |  Lars and the Real Girl Soundtrack |  More Comedies from MGM |
Stills from Lars and the Real Girl
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Product Description
Sometimes you find love where you'd least expect it. Just ask Lars (Academy Award-Nominee* Ryan Gosling), a sweet but quirky guy who thinks he's found the girl of his dreams in a life-sized doll named Bianca. Lars is completely content with his artificial girlfriend, but when he develops feelings for Margo, an attractive co-worker, Lars finds himself lost in a hilariously unique love triangle, hoping to somehow discover the real meaning of true love. Offbeat and endearing, this romantic comedy takes a fresh look at dating and relationships and dares to ask the question: What's so wrong with being happy?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
229 of 235 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Potentially Silly Premise for a Story Becomes a Touching, Tender Film
April 19, 2008
Format:DVD
Were anyone to suggest that a 'romance' between a guy and a blowup doll could become one of the more sensitive films of the year, it would be cause for derision - that is, before viewing LARS AND THE REAL GIRL. The improbable story was written by Nancy Oliver (the writer of many episodes of the TV series 'Six Feet Under') and directed by Craig Gillespie who gathered a particularly strong cast of actors to present this examination of compassion and love for an emotionally injured young man by small town folks, reminding us that caring for each other is still a highly regarded value.
Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) survived a tough childhood only to become a loner terrified of emotional and tactile contact. He lives in the garage of his deceased parents' home while his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and pregnant sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) live in the main house. Despite Karin's pleadings to be part of the family, Lars prefers to keep to himself. At his job his co-workers include Margo (Kelli Garner), who is more than a little attracted to the quiet and strangely distant Lars, and a fellow who finds ' life-size love dolls' on the internet. Lars orders one of the dolls and when 'Bianca' arrives, Lars finally has a girlfriend to share his loneliness. He introduces Bianca to Gus and Karin who find the situation strange, but at the same time see the happiness in Lars that has been missing. They encourage Lars and Bianca to see a doctor Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson) who plays along with the concept that Lars finds Bianca real, and encourages Gus and Karin to be supportive. As it ends up the entire little town accepts Bianca and she is introduced to doing good deeds and be a vital part of the town, all through the kindness of people who love the 'delusional' Lars and care only for his happiness. How Lars gradually finds his way into the real world and copes with the understanding of his need for Bianca, the story comes to a tender ending, one that never for a moment feels like a sellout but maintains the dignity of all of the characters in the story.
This is a fine and thoughtful exploration of the needs we all have for understanding, compassion, and acceptance, and while there are some very humorous moments in this well-written story, the overall message is one of gentle love. Ryan Gosling is so fine an actor that he makes this rather complex character understandable and gains our empathy. The supporting cast is equally excellent - especially Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider. Highly recommended viewing, this is a DVD many will want to own for repeated viewings. Grady Harp, April 08
Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) survived a tough childhood only to become a loner terrified of emotional and tactile contact. He lives in the garage of his deceased parents' home while his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and pregnant sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) live in the main house. Despite Karin's pleadings to be part of the family, Lars prefers to keep to himself. At his job his co-workers include Margo (Kelli Garner), who is more than a little attracted to the quiet and strangely distant Lars, and a fellow who finds ' life-size love dolls' on the internet. Lars orders one of the dolls and when 'Bianca' arrives, Lars finally has a girlfriend to share his loneliness. He introduces Bianca to Gus and Karin who find the situation strange, but at the same time see the happiness in Lars that has been missing. They encourage Lars and Bianca to see a doctor Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson) who plays along with the concept that Lars finds Bianca real, and encourages Gus and Karin to be supportive. As it ends up the entire little town accepts Bianca and she is introduced to doing good deeds and be a vital part of the town, all through the kindness of people who love the 'delusional' Lars and care only for his happiness. How Lars gradually finds his way into the real world and copes with the understanding of his need for Bianca, the story comes to a tender ending, one that never for a moment feels like a sellout but maintains the dignity of all of the characters in the story.
This is a fine and thoughtful exploration of the needs we all have for understanding, compassion, and acceptance, and while there are some very humorous moments in this well-written story, the overall message is one of gentle love. Ryan Gosling is so fine an actor that he makes this rather complex character understandable and gains our empathy. The supporting cast is equally excellent - especially Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider. Highly recommended viewing, this is a DVD many will want to own for repeated viewings. Grady Harp, April 08
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
No man is happy without a delusion of some kind.Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities.-Christian Nevell Bovee
July 19, 2008
Format:DVD
Lars is a quiet and introverted kind of guy. He goes to work every day then he comes home to the garage apartment he lives in, adjacent to the house he grew up in and is now owned by his brother and sister-in-law.
As his pregnant sister-in-law's due date gets closer, Lars seems to emotionally and physically withdraw from his family and co-workers. Preferring to remain in the comforting small walls of his garage apartment, he starts garnering the concern of his sister-in-law. She fears he is too lonely and when all her attempts to include him and spend more time with him fail it seems all hope is lost. That is till he shows up to dinner one night asking if he can bring his new girlfriend. The excitement and relief Lars' family feels is short lived when his girlfriend ends up being an anatomically correct love doll he has named Bianca.
At the recommendation and guidance of their small town doctor/psychiatrist, Lars' family goes along with his delusion, and then manages to convince the entire town to do the same.
This movie had me laughing out loud and sobbing big ugly tears, I was charmed completely. The situations involving Bianca were equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. I have never wanted to hug a movie character more than I have wanted to hug Lars; my heart went out to him completely.
I have a friend who hated this movie for the exact same reasons I enjoyed it so much. I loved the fact that the entire town rallied to welcome Bianca, even though they thought it was nuts, just to help a member of the community. I loved all the zany adventures Bianca went on, and I loved the town they lived in. I loved the fact that it was far fetched, but mostly I loved it because that's how a town SHOULD behave. People should go out of there way and do things to help someone in need once in awhile.
With the help of the community, a wonderful doctor, his family and most importantly, Bianca, Lars heals. It's an emotional road to get there, but well worth the journey.
Cherise Everhard, July 2008
As his pregnant sister-in-law's due date gets closer, Lars seems to emotionally and physically withdraw from his family and co-workers. Preferring to remain in the comforting small walls of his garage apartment, he starts garnering the concern of his sister-in-law. She fears he is too lonely and when all her attempts to include him and spend more time with him fail it seems all hope is lost. That is till he shows up to dinner one night asking if he can bring his new girlfriend. The excitement and relief Lars' family feels is short lived when his girlfriend ends up being an anatomically correct love doll he has named Bianca.
At the recommendation and guidance of their small town doctor/psychiatrist, Lars' family goes along with his delusion, and then manages to convince the entire town to do the same.
This movie had me laughing out loud and sobbing big ugly tears, I was charmed completely. The situations involving Bianca were equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. I have never wanted to hug a movie character more than I have wanted to hug Lars; my heart went out to him completely.
I have a friend who hated this movie for the exact same reasons I enjoyed it so much. I loved the fact that the entire town rallied to welcome Bianca, even though they thought it was nuts, just to help a member of the community. I loved all the zany adventures Bianca went on, and I loved the town they lived in. I loved the fact that it was far fetched, but mostly I loved it because that's how a town SHOULD behave. People should go out of there way and do things to help someone in need once in awhile.
With the help of the community, a wonderful doctor, his family and most importantly, Bianca, Lars heals. It's an emotional road to get there, but well worth the journey.
Cherise Everhard, July 2008
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Those are my people! That's my home land! Every face looks like one of my family, including Lars, who looks like a goofier me at the same age. The houses, the furniture, the downtown shops, the costumes, the church, the lake - it's all museum-quality Upper Midwest. Minnesota to me, since that's where I'm from. Only the accents and the dialogue in general don't sound Minnesotan, and I kinda wonder why not.
Given that we're all Scandihoovians together here, I can make some sense out of this film by thinking of it as a Hans Christian Andersen tale, a lot like The Little Mermaid or The Faithful Tin Soldier. Bittersweet, artificial and witty, and solidly moralistic at the core. Otherwise, the improbability of the family's and town's response to Lars's delusion (that's the heart of the plot) would seem too improbable to accept, even on theatrical terms of "willing suspension of disbelief." I mean, we're a well-meaning folk, we Minnesotans, and we make trying to be nice the local interpretation of the Golden Rule, but we aren't THAT nice!
Ryan Gosling should get an Oscar for making an impossible role almost fully believable. Of course, Bianca should be a shoo-in for Best Supporting Actress.
In the end, it's "awful heart-warming", as my Uncle Einar would say, noncommittally.
Given that we're all Scandihoovians together here, I can make some sense out of this film by thinking of it as a Hans Christian Andersen tale, a lot like The Little Mermaid or The Faithful Tin Soldier. Bittersweet, artificial and witty, and solidly moralistic at the core. Otherwise, the improbability of the family's and town's response to Lars's delusion (that's the heart of the plot) would seem too improbable to accept, even on theatrical terms of "willing suspension of disbelief." I mean, we're a well-meaning folk, we Minnesotans, and we make trying to be nice the local interpretation of the Golden Rule, but we aren't THAT nice!
Ryan Gosling should get an Oscar for making an impossible role almost fully believable. Of course, Bianca should be a shoo-in for Best Supporting Actress.
In the end, it's "awful heart-warming", as my Uncle Einar would say, noncommittally.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful quirky movie
Lars and the Real Girl is one of those unexpected treats you can only find in independent films. It has a rock-solid cast that is superbly directed. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Hal L. Doby Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very rare, gentle, moving and beautiful story of acceptance
Poor Lars, locked in his lonely world, barely talking to anyone, never having a girlfriend at the age of 27, finds himself in love with a mannekin. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bernadette
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
Highly recommended, very funny - so much can be said with humour and this film is a good example. Off beat, a bit quirky. Reminds me a little of 'Harvey' with Jimmy Stewart.
Published 1 month ago by EM
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, Touching!
Ryan Gosling is outstanding in this movie. He's so versatile. This movie is so funny at times and also very touching, heartbreaking. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Tyrrell
5.0 out of 5 stars
MY GRADE: A minus.
This borderline amazing tale could easily have been mucked up if it had been turned into a mockery or sexual perversion or sentimental cry festival. Read more
Published 2 months ago by MISTER SJEM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adore
I just love this movie, before Ryan Gosling got super popular. It is a heartbreaking story in a way, but Lars becomes someone we all root for. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mandie Rider
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorite Ryan Gosling films.
This movie is hands down one of my favorites. Besides having Ryan Gosling in it, the story is so good. I recommend people watch it all the time!
Published 3 months ago by Chey
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's cute....
The man (Ryan Gosling) always seems to amaze me. He can play just about any character. Nice to see people in an entire town come together.
Published 3 months ago by demarie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Charming movie
While some of the themes are not suitable for young children, the movie shows a town's kindnesses toward Lars in ways that help him a great deal. Very positive movie, well acted.
Published 3 months ago by Amazon brother
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet, Sweet Movie!
A poignant story set in a loving, caring community. We need more of these kinds of movies. Ryan Gosling was superb. Read more
Published 3 months ago by MsAstor
