 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Lars and the Real Girl
- Review Date: April 14, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Sex doll takes center stage in quirky comedy.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know the movie's focus on the main character's "relationship" with a very lifelike sex doll may raise questions from young viewers about just exactly what one is -- and what it does. The film also focuses on Lars' emotional disorder, in part explained by his distress over the fact that his mother died during his birth and his father's bad behavior afterward (these events come up in conversation but aren't shown). Expect some slangy references to women's bodies and sexual activities.
What's the story?
At the start of LARS AND THE REAL GIRL, Lars (Ryan Gosling) looks out on a bleak, wintry landscape. He's isolated and alone, even though he lives adjacent (albeit in a garage) to his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and his pregnant sister-in-law, Karin (Emily Mortimer).Lars, who works in a generic cubicle at a generic office, can pass for merely socially awkward. But when his co-worker Margo (Kelli Garner) develops a crush on him, he's unable to respond. Instead, he turns to a porn Web site, where he orders a lifelike sex doll. She arrives in a box, and he names her Bianca and introduces her to Gus and Karin as his long-distance girlfriend who's come to visit. With eyebrows raised and glances exchanged, they go along with him, suggesting that they all take Bianca to see Dr. Berman (Patricia Clarkson). Kindly and wise in the way that small-town doctors tend to be in the movies, she advises letting Lars gradually work out whatever trauma he's apparently feeling. "Chances are," she says, "he's been decompensating for some time."
Is it any good?
The townsfolk rally round Lars, accepting Bianca as a "real girl," inviting her to parties, volunteering her for community service, bringing her to the hospital to visit with sick kids, etc. But even as it celebrates the healing powers of quirk, Craig Gillespie's movie is premised on some tedious and seemingly comforting truisms related to the "unfathomable" mysteries of women and pregnancy. Bianca, for all her blankness, is a vehicle for Lars' reintegration into the community. While it's disheartening that she must follow a typical plot route in order to serve that function, the film features an appealing performance by Gosling.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether the movie seems at all realistic -- and, for that matter, whether it's intended to. Does the doctor do the right thing in letting Lars believe in Bianca's existence? Do you think it's believable that the townspeople play along? What do you think the movie's overall message is?
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AGE
I really don't understand how CSM can rate this only two stars
Here is a beautifully simple film that doesn't try to be anything or try to do anything other than tell an original story. After seeing trailers for it on an indie movie site, and seeing what a great cast and concept it had, I looked forward to this movie greatly-- and I was not disappointed at all. There was a simple just pleasure and spark of movie magic that came from the film-- something that movies seriously lack nowadays, even the greatest of films. I wish I could talk about it, but it feels like that magic is destroyed picking apart the film. What I will say however is that this film is one of the best films this year (it easily outshines movies such as the over-hyped Michael Clayton or the pathetic Saw IV), and is very well-worth anyone's time to invest in. (I wrote that part back in October of 2007 for another site, so that's without taking such incredible movies as No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood.) That being said also, as another review put it on another site, the movie is also about how the community comes together selflessly to help take care of someone who needs their help-- something that is obviously a good message. And while some people have complained that the film was too calculating in its sweetness and emotion, but I think the only people who would have that kind of problem with the film are those who actively analyze a film while watching it. If you want a sweet, funny but also serious, film that works as a breath of fresh air amongst all the somber movies that are so sure they are saying something, this comes highly reccommended.
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AGE
Great movie, nice unique message
I and my family loved the movie. Not at all what you think. The sex doll is downplayed, the man's emotional issues are the real story. Loved it!!
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AGE
Common Sense is Wrong Again: A Perfect Film Tainted by the Hands of Parent Reviewers
"Lars and the Real Girl" (2007) is a film directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Nancy Oliver. The story focuses on a man's emotional disturbances and how it affects not only his life, but the community's as well. It is a beautiful and very special message about the disparities, flaws in nature, and all the trivial quandaries we face as a culture, and how it is essential for everyone to come together in the end, even for just that one person. "Lars" is a spectacular tale for persons and children of a slightly older age, not due to questionable material ("Lars" is clean as a whistle, with maybe only one or two curse words throughout), but due to the complex moral, social, and emotional issues the film plays with, some of which might just be too far above your child's comprehension level at an early age. Also expect to see a LOT of symbolism in the film. If you have read "How To Read Literature Like A Professor" by Thomas Foster, this film will be constantly screaming symbolism at you :D. A beautiful tale, for all ages who can understand the deeper side of humanity. 5 out of 5 stars, indefinitely (I wish I could give more).
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AGE
a must see
it is the exact oposit in what you think it is, it is touching and really makes you think, the only explict thing is the doll itself. It is less of a comedy and more of a drama but there a few funny scenes, Ryan Gossling did an amazing job this was on of the best movies i have ever seen! i would definatly take kids 11 or over to see this, trust me it is not that bad! Absouloutly not explict i dont think there was more than 2 curses in the movie.
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| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Craig Gillespie |
| Cast: | Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Ryan Gosling |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 106 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 12, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | April 14, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some sex-related content. |
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