"Lars and the Real Girl"

"Lars and the Real Girl," is a touching comedy about how a lovable, extreme introvert decides to open up to the possibility of love by ordering a rubber girlfriend on the internet. When the members of his church learn that Lars has a delusion, they decide to help Lars resolve his issues by embracing his silicone girlfriend without a hint of judgment. They accept her into the community even bringing casseroles and sitting with Lars when his girlfriend is sick.

I embraced the story because, like the congregation, I genuinely cared about Lars. This is in part because of excellent performances poised between earnestness and farce. Don't miss this tender comedy. It is the feel good movie of the year.

OSCAR UPDATE: Nancy Oliver was nominated for Best Screenplay. (One of four women writers nominated!)

Lars Lindstrom is a lovable introvert whose emotional baggage has kept him from fully embracing life. After years of what is almost solitude, he invites Bianca, a friend he met on the internet to visit him. He introduces Bianca to his brother Gus and his wife Karen and they are stunned. They don't know what to say to Lars or Bianca--because she is a life-size doll, not a real person and he is treating her as though she is alive. They consult the family doctor Dagmar who explains this is a delusion he's created--for what reason she doesn't yet know but they should all go along with it. What follows is an emotional journey for Lars and the people around him. 

If you're looking for movies where people are genuinely kind to each other -- a new kind of love story -- watch, "Bella," and, "Lars and the Real Girl." You'll be thankful you did.




Movie Blessings,
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com