Film & TV Writer Nafeesa Hussain urges everyone to watch the heartwarming 2007 film Lars and the Real Girl, finding it to be beautiful and captivating despite its unconventionality
Ryan Gosling is an esteemed A-list Hollywood actor, known for his highlighted roles like La La Land (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), but this film which is relatively unknown deserves its merits and recognition.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) is a comedy romance directed by Craig Gillespie. It follows Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) who plays the socially inept main protagonist who struggles to connect with people in his town until he finds a doll on the internet. Whilst conceptually this sounds weird and to some even generic, there is something quite terrifyingly beautiful about it all. What ways can this be seen?
Firstly, the performance of Gosling and the dynamics between the actors throughout this film is generic. Although this is a low budget American-Canadian production that is hidden away from most cinephiles the performance factor is impressive. Gosling really hones in on the emotional temperament of his character harnessing this sense of isolation, loneliness and even elements of neurodivergence which showcases the depth of his character’s psychological uncertainty validating his discomfort around others. Equally, the writers showcase that even though Lars prefers his solitude, the town community do not give up on him and even support his relationship with the doll that he treats as a real woman he cares for. This support makes you weep from start to finish all on its own. Gosling really hones in on the emotional temperament of his character harnessing this sense of isolation, loneliness and even elements of neurodivergence which showcases the depth of his character’s psychological uncertainty validating his discomfort around others.
The cinematography is captivates with perfect hues of blues, greys and muted colours accentuating Lars’ human depravity. The lighting is soft and diffused, reflecting his fragility – mentally and emotionally. The small-town aesthetic is always moving in films like this with a bustling neighbourhood, chatty people, and gorgeous naturalistic shots with simple camera movements allowing the audience to digest the scenic beauty of this world. Each sequence is perfectly picturesque and painted in a way that grabs the souls of the audience with the costuming, lighting, colour palette and setting. Each sequence is perfectly picturesque and painted in a way that grabs the souls of the audience with the costuming, lighting, colour palette and setting.
Besides the performance aspect and the cinematography, the themes are what really speak to heart of the individuals viewing this film and that is what makes this hidden gem so special. This film deals with very sensitive topics and progressive ones too, like male vulnerability, mental health and acceptance and compassion. Male protagonists are usually shown to be stoic and unafraid whilst Lars inhabits this quiet, reserved personality who struggles to make decisions. He willingly lives in the delusion where he takes out this doll Bianca as if she is a real woman and the town support this reality of his showcasing the empathy and care they have for him underlining the importance of connection and communal belonging.
Overall, this film encapsulates so much greatness from acting, to cinematography to the themes in which it emphasises illuminating that warmth lies at the sincerity not just the scenes. Its unconventional elements, humanisation of men’s mental health and heart wrenching dialogue is a gentle reminder to all cinephiles that if you want love and acceptance – this film is the one for you.
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