Lars and the Real Girl

Plot

A delusional young guy strikes up an unconventional relationship with a doll he finds on the Internet.

Release Year: 2007

Rating: 7.4/10 (51,071 voted)

Critic's Score: 70/100

Director:
Craig Gillespie

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider

Storyline
In this comedy, Lars Lindstrom is an awkwardly shy young man in a small northern town who finally brings home the girl of his dreams to his brother and sister-in-law's home. The only problem is that she's not real – she's a sex doll Lars ordered off the Internet. But sex is not what Lars has in mind, but rather a deep, meaningful relationship. His sister-in-law is worried for him, his brother thinks he's nuts, but eventually the entire town goes along with his delusion in support of this sweet natured boy that they've always loved.

Cast:

Ryan Gosling
–

Lars Lindstrom

Emily Mortimer
–

Karin

Paul Schneider
–

Gus

R.D. Reid
–

Reverend Bock

Kelli Garner
–

Margo

Nancy Beatty
–

Mrs. Gruner

Doug Lennox
–

Mr. Hofstedtler

Joe Bostick
–

Mr. Shaw

Liz Gordon
–

Mrs. Schindler

Nicky Guadagni
–

Mrs. Petersen

Patricia Clarkson
–

Dagmar

Karen Robinson
–

Cindy

Maxwell McCabe-Lokos
–

Kurt

Billy Parrott
–

Erik

Sally Cahill
–

Deb

Taglines:
The search for true love begins outside the box

Details

Official Website:
Diaphana [France] |
Official site [Japan] |

Release Date: 25 October 2007

Filming Locations: Alton, Ontario, Canada

Box Office Details

Budget: $12,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $90,418
(USA)
(14 October 2007)
(7 Screens)

Gross: $11,293,523
(Worldwide)
(29 March 2009)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

The "Real Doll" was featured on
The Graham Norton Effect. The doll was given to the show and was stated as costing $6,000. She arrived in the same kind of crate that is shown in the movie. To test how real the doll looked they sat her in a bar with drink in hand, sunglasses and a speaker placed on her so they could talk to whomever came up to talk to the doll. One man was told to go into the bathroom, take off his pants and wait for her. He did.

Goofs:

Continuity:
In the bowling scene, when Margo hits the pins, they all fall down. When the shot is returned to her, two pins in the left hand corner are left standing. Then when the shot is return the third time, all the pins are gone again.

Quotes:

Margo:
Things look so much better!

User Review

Don't let the synopsis put you off

Rating: 9/10


There is just no way to explain the plot of this film and not have it
sound rather silly and this film is anything but foolish frivolity. I
found it utterly charming and carefully and delicately directed. There
are moments of belly shaking humor and quiet tears as Ryan Gosling
brilliantly evolves from a reclusive soul with the help of a silicone
woman and a kind hearted community. I want to know these endearing
people. There is a moral point to this film, perhaps more than one.
Don't be put off by the synopsis, or trailer. This is not your standard
Hollywood fare. See it for the humor, or the humanity, either way, you
will be glad you did. I see very, very few films twice- this one is on
my list.