Lars and the Real Girl

Lars and the Real Girl

First off, let me just say—I absolutely love Gosling. But I’ve always had my doubts about whether he’s as great an actor as I believe him to be. I had been avoiding this movie because it seemed a bit too weird for me, but that was a huge mistake, which I’m glad I finally corrected.

So, it’s 2007. Gosling plays a guy who lives with his brother and his pregnant wife (technically, in the garage next to their house). He’s basically the shyest person ever. I wouldn’t call him antisocial, just extremely introverted, to the point where he struggles to interact with people. He’s 27 and has never been in a relationship… until—bam!—he shows up with a life-sized sex doll, introducing her as his girlfriend, Bianca, who also happens to be a missionary.

His family takes him to a doctor, who tells them he’s not mentally ill—he’s just having hallucinations. And that’s where the movie really begins, because now, everyone around him has to play along and pretend Bianca is real, for as long as it lasts…

At first, the movie might seem a little odd, but that feeling quickly fades. It’s actually incredibly sweet, with a great balance of humor and emotion. Lars’ behavior isn’t random—his hallucination is justified, tied to his past, family, and unresolved guilt. Don’t expect some heavy-handed psychological drama—this isn’t that kind of film—but the story has real emotional depth.

The humor is placed perfectly where needed, especially through his brother and sister-in-law, the doctor’s performance is phenomenal, and the whole atmosphere is beautifully melancholic, wintery, and even romantic. And yes, at its core, this is a romantic film, exploring deep emotional themes in a unique way.

And finally… Ryan Gosling.

He’s absolutely incredible—I have no words. After this, I refuse to entertain any debate about whether he’s a good actor, at least in roles like this (although, to be fair, I’ve never seen him deliver a bad performance).