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Lars (Ryan Gosling) is an introvert to the extreme – his mother died during his birth and he’s been withdrawn from the world ever since. Lars lives in the garage next to his family’s house, where his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and his compassionate sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) live. The only thing that brings Lars out of his shell is when he mail-orders a girlfriend. Okay, so she’s a love doll, but she looks real and to Lars, she is real and she has a name - Bianca.
After a very uncomfortable dinner party, Gus and Karin insist that Lars and Bianca go see the town doctor – they use the excuse that Bianca needs a physical. The wonderful Dr. Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson) tells them that Lars is suffering from a delusion and the only person that can make Bianca go away is Lars, so they should all just go along with this charade and treat Bianca like a real person – which is incredibly difficult for Gus.
Karin spreads the word and it’s not long before everyone in this small town knows about Bianca and for Lars’ sake, they pretend it’s normal to see Lars wheeling Bianca around in her wheelchair. It’s amazing that the very plastic Bianca helps Lars come alive for the first time in his life.
The scenario for this movie makes it sound a little bizarre for the mainstream moviegoers, but you’re given permission to laugh at this very awkward situation and given time to adjust to it – as the people of the town get used to the idea. Then it takes off in directions that are funny, touching, and surprising.
When you see these people react with such warmth, it just makes you smile.
This has to be one of the sweetest movies in a long time, but not sickening
sweet, or "chick-flick" sweet – the movie appeals to the guys
as well (at least the guys in the audience we saw it with).
Ryan Gosling delivers another amazing performance in a long time of brilliant
acting. Paul Schneider has never been better as he struggles to be as accepting
as everyone around him. Emily Mortimer is so tender; everything about her
gives you warm fuzzies. Patricia Clarkson (a Movie Chick favorite) has
such a sensitivity you immediately love her for what she does for Lars. Everyone in
the supporting cast fits together like the perfect puzzle – it’s a delight
and it’s entertaining.
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