Offbeat, fell-good film tries, a bit calculatedly, to merge wacky taboo humor and sincere tenderness with modest success.
In no small part due to Ryan Gosling's phenomenal talent, Lars and the Real Girl remains watchable, despite it's increasing lack of bite as the film progresses. Even though he may indulge and wallow inside of his character's eccentricities a little too often with subtle camera muggings, Gosling brings an undeniable palpability too his character's cracked psyche, and effectively gives this bizarre and far-fetched scenario a much needed humanity the script had been begging for.
More a showcase for acting then a story that will stand the test of time.
In no small part due to Ryan Gosling's phenomenal talent, Lars and the Real Girl remains watchable, despite it's increasing lack of bite as the film progresses. Even though he may indulge and wallow inside of his character's eccentricities a little too often with subtle camera muggings, Gosling brings an undeniable palpability too his character's cracked psyche, and effectively gives this bizarre and far-fetched scenario a much needed humanity the script had been begging for.
More a showcase for acting then a story that will stand the test of time.