Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: October 12, 2007
7.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 261 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
219
Mixed:
18
Negative:
24
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1
BillTJ.Nov 8, 2007
One of the worst films I've ever sat through. It was ugly t olook at - the situations implausibility not so much the problem as was the abvsolutely mawkish and easy solutions the town and family found to resolve their feelings about One of the worst films I've ever sat through. It was ugly t olook at - the situations implausibility not so much the problem as was the abvsolutely mawkish and easy solutions the town and family found to resolve their feelings about Lars' experience. Another absolutely phony movie that didn't have the guts to go for something real and in all likelihood a lot darker ie real than what they sheepishly settled on. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful
2
MikeD.Apr 28, 2008
This movie was sooo boring! I had high expectations given the glowing reviews and the premise seemed interesting but it just wasn't. Basically, this desperate lonely loser gets a sex doll and has a relationship with it meanwhile This movie was sooo boring! I had high expectations given the glowing reviews and the premise seemed interesting but it just wasn't. Basically, this desperate lonely loser gets a sex doll and has a relationship with it meanwhile everyone around him feels compelled to play along. The overall tone of this film is somewhere between depressing and gloomy. I couldn't send this one back to Netflix fast enough. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful
0
OlivierI.Mar 22, 2008
This review is therapy after what must be one of the worst film experiences I've ever had. It was so bad, I can't understand how anyone can fall for this kind of tripe. Honestly, the only way I could review this film is with an This review is therapy after what must be one of the worst film experiences I've ever had. It was so bad, I can't understand how anyone can fall for this kind of tripe. Honestly, the only way I could review this film is with an audio file, microphone and a can of hormel chili. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful
1
JacksonF.May 5, 2008
Absolutely horrid. There is no way on this green earth that a small town, or larger one for that matter would support someone's delusions. Secondly, he seemed to recover rather quickly after having a 'Real' social outing; the Absolutely horrid. There is no way on this green earth that a small town, or larger one for that matter would support someone's delusions. Secondly, he seemed to recover rather quickly after having a 'Real' social outing; the bowling episode. Those two points make this depressing movie unrealistic. I guarantee I could have made a better flick, having no background whatsoever in film. I give 1 point for the doll having nice cans. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful
0
frankyfeatherstoofaMay 7, 2008
Cloying and precious life time channel garbage. so unrealistic and cowardly that it makes the relationship with the doll chaste. unrealistic people, dialog, and portrayal of mental illness. takes a premise that has potential and just takes Cloying and precious life time channel garbage. so unrealistic and cowardly that it makes the relationship with the doll chaste. unrealistic people, dialog, and portrayal of mental illness. takes a premise that has potential and just takes the stupid way and safe feel good way out. its predictable and worst of all boring. truly monotonous when you watch scenes that are like something a child would write. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful
3
ElliottMOct 11, 2007
Saw it at the Boston Film Festival -- didn't laugh once. The addition of a blow-up doll doesn't make this premise feel any less trite, ridiculous, or annoying.
0 of 2 users found this helpful
0
MeeC.Mar 22, 2008
Worst movie I've ever seen! I'm quite disgusted by Ryan Gosling whom I thought was a pretty promising young actor.
0 of 3 users found this helpful
0
PatrickR.Apr 23, 2008
I'd have to agree with Oliver L. for the most part. The movie was was completely unrealistic. It just goes through the formula without taking risks. A risky move would have made Lars actually be the type of person that would resort to I'd have to agree with Oliver L. for the most part. The movie was was completely unrealistic. It just goes through the formula without taking risks. A risky move would have made Lars actually be the type of person that would resort to getting a real doll; even weirder in other words. And they just had to find a good looking actor to play Lars that just happened to be the love interest of a female. Lar's friends and family would have ignored the problem because he would really just be a lost hope. It would have been a good movie if Lars was about to kill himself and instead settled for a real doll even though he knew completely how pathetic that was. Just imagine the plot of the movie with the intent of trying to impress the masses and thats what it was. If you liked it you were fooled! Watch the movie as if you've never lived a day in your life and you'll love it. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful
3
ciarocks4Mar 4, 2017
I don't really understand whats so great about the movie. I mean the town as a whole coming and supporting a guys who is dellusional is beautiful. However there are other ways to depict it. Ryan Gosling falls in love with a sex doll and thenI don't really understand whats so great about the movie. I mean the town as a whole coming and supporting a guys who is dellusional is beautiful. However there are other ways to depict it. Ryan Gosling falls in love with a sex doll and then the doll dies and his dillusion breaks gradually.I Know its stupid, "no this was not worth it" Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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3
FilipeNetoMay 9, 2021
I confess that I don't really know what to think about this film. I recognize the originality of the theme, but if the idea was to do comedy, it failed me. Furthermore, I also got the feeling that the film enters too often in a kind ofI confess that I don't really know what to think about this film. I recognize the originality of the theme, but if the idea was to do comedy, it failed me. Furthermore, I also got the feeling that the film enters too often in a kind of "twilight zone" where everyone, more or less consciously and deliberately, plays the fool - even the priest!

The film's script focuses on Lars, an incredibly shy man, who is not even able to maintain a normal relationship with his own family and isolates himself as much as possible. Suddenly, he decides to introduce a new girlfriend to everyone, but she is simply a very realistic plastic erotic doll. From here, and to my surprise, everyone decides to cooperate with this man's delusion and treat the doll as if he were a real person.

For me, the film didn't work. I am not able to give the script any credibility and the story told is simply too far-fetched and improbable for me to swallow it. If the idea was to make a satire, I did not understand what was at stake. If the idea was to do comedy, it wasn't funny at all. Personally, I found it even a little offensive, as the film tries to make you laugh at the expense of a man who is so shy that he urgently needs therapy or psychological counseling. And, now that I mention it, I also don't understand all the pressure from society to push an individual into dating or marriage. Sometimes you are happier as a single person.

Although I did not like this film, and raised serious questions about the script, I recognize the value and commitment of its cast, particularly Ryan Gosling. The actor is superb, and he works in depth, in an extremely rich character and with a very interesting psychology, which the actor knew how to explore and develop wonderfully. Ultimately, Gosling's excellent performance not only greatly redeems the film but ends up being the real reason to see it! The film also features Paul Schneider, Kelli Garner and Emily Mortimer in the supporting roles, but it's Gosling that shines.

Technically, the film seems to be quite neutral, within the regular standards of the industry: cinematography and sets do not bring anything original but fulfill their role quite well; the costumes, and particularly Gosling's, were quite good and harmonized with the environment and the theme (I especially liked the costumes used at the funeral). I don't think the film had a very big budget, but the production was able to make good use of it.
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