Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) is a shy and retiring man
living in the garage of his brother and sister-in-law’s house. He frequently
tries to avoid contact with his friends, co-workers and family and when he does
have to interact with others, conversation is stilted before Lars is able to
escape. Despite the obvious interest of colleague Margo (Kelli Garner) Lars has
no girlfriend so his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and Sister-in-law Karin (Emily
Mortimer) are shocked when one day Lars appears at their front door with the
news that he has a house guest; a wheelchair bound, half Brazilian, half Danish
missionary whom he met on the internet. Gus and Karin are initially overjoyed
that Lars has met something but are soon startled to discover that ‘Bianca’ is
in fact a Real Doll sex doll whom
Lars is convinced is a real person. Worried about his mental health his family
and friends all rally around Lars and attempt to welcome Bianca into the
community while trying to get Lars the help that he so obviously needs.
The term rollercoaster ride of emotions is a little bit
tacky and overused but it applies here. Every few seconds while watching this
film I went from laugh out loud laughter to shock to sadness and back again.
The film manages to be incredibly uplifting, sad and funny, often at the same
time and features some great acting and an astonishing and original script.
