Lars and the Real Girl

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: October 12, 2007

7.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 261 Ratings

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JayW.Nov 11, 2007

Beautifully acted film with a ridiculous premise. It would have been interesting to see at least ONE citizen of this impossibly convivial town openly challenge the delusion. Really, wishing a plastic playmate dead is NOT a symptom of Beautifully acted film with a ridiculous premise. It would have been interesting to see at least ONE citizen of this impossibly convivial town openly challenge the delusion. Really, wishing a plastic playmate dead is NOT a symptom of recovery, and it does NOT bode well for his prospects with a flesh-and-blood woman who can't be so easily dismissed. If you can stomach a comedy about mental illness, this one's for you!… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful

ScraperFeb 19, 2018

I was confused most of the way through on how to take it in. Lars' dummy sets up the premise as humorous but then steps deeper and deeper into the concepts of loss and the sickness that can occur from it. It was finally apparent that II was confused most of the way through on how to take it in. Lars' dummy sets up the premise as humorous but then steps deeper and deeper into the concepts of loss and the sickness that can occur from it. It was finally apparent that I shouldn't be chuckling. Much like the characters in the film, I tried to play along and take it seriously. It just wasn't for me. Gosling's character begs for sympathy as he plays ridiculously like Carell's 40 year old virgin. I think this movie had identity problems. There would be a silly scene featuring the doll and then suddenly hit the brakes with a tearful, neurotic trip to the psychologist's office. My brain was getting whiplash.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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RobbyT.Apr 20, 2008

Lars is unique but ultimately too corny and boring to have the desired effect. Gosling once again vanishes into the character. Maybe worth a rental.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

RoryP.Oct 29, 2008

Realism and character detail are undermined by the central conceit (that a whole town would be willing to play along with such an odd delusion.) There loving efforts to include Lars simply become unbelievable after a certain point, or at Realism and character detail are undermined by the central conceit (that a whole town would be willing to play along with such an odd delusion.) There loving efforts to include Lars simply become unbelievable after a certain point, or at least, the progression of their efforts are not made believable enough for this viewer. The plot is also quite predictable. Saying that there are some nice performances (Emily Mortimer is a stand out) and the dialogue is nicely judged. The production values are also quite good. Not a bad film by any means, just weighed down by noticeable flaws.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AkutoJan 24, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. All in all, the cast's execution of this thin and tenuous plot was excellent. That is the sole reason I stayed for the whole ride, and the reason I feel a negative score would be unjustified. Far too many scenes were utterly implausible, i.e. the willingness of a paramedic team to play along with a man's self-willed delusion that his plastic ball-and-chain was dying to free him of commitment. Surely, the dispatched EMTs would be furious to find their resources thinned by a case of make-believe illness, but instead they rush the doll to the hospital and provide her with a room.

Through the entire run, there was one passing attempt to go against Lars' delusion, early in the film. It was of no consequence. In the end, an elaborate funeral service packed with attendees and ending in the burial of a plastic girl was somehow deemed plausible, and Lars showed no signs of realization of his delusions. He simply moved on as quickly as possible to develop a relationship with the flesh and blood girl he willed his imaginary girlfriend to death in favor of. Netflix called this film a comedy, but I have to disagree. Though some humor found its way in, especially toward the beginning, the film took it upon itself to venture too far into psychological and heartfelt territory as a means of legitimizing the concept of Lars' mental illness, a means that was less than effective.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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AkumaJackMar 12, 2018

Gosling is a great actor and it shows in this film. THe plot is also rather intriguing. It all focus around Lars (Gosling) getting a lovedoll as a girlfriend. It is nice but not brilliant.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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LightsAndBulbsSep 18, 2022

"Lars and the Real Girl" is well-written, well-shot, well-acted, but not quite special enough to rise beyond being okay. This sort of plot is hardly new, and while I think this film does a decent job executing and rehashing it, it's hardly a"Lars and the Real Girl" is well-written, well-shot, well-acted, but not quite special enough to rise beyond being okay. This sort of plot is hardly new, and while I think this film does a decent job executing and rehashing it, it's hardly a movie that sticks with me, or feels all too special. It hits every box you expect it to, and ends how one would expect. None of that is meant to discredit this movie's merits however, as there are plenty of films out there that aim for a similar storyline and execute it far worse. Ryan Gosling's performance alone is enough to elevate this movie above others in the same vein, and to the film's credit, its attempts at conveying emotion were all pulled off exceptionally. It's a bit of a crowd pleaser, but hey, there are far worse things one can be.
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Best Performance: Ryan Gosling… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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