Movie Review: Lars and the Real Girl

First blog post! Hmmm...lots of pressure. Since I fully admit that this blog will be a random collection of thoughts (mostly other people's but some of mine), I think I should start with a random review of a movie I recently purchased, Lars and the Real Girl.

Lars and the Real Girl is about a sweet but lonely man who buys a life-sized "love doll" named Bianca. Lars is a devout Christian, so there's no hanky-panky of that sort. His family, and the entire town, do their best to accept Bianca for Lars' sake. The end result is a little humor, some awkward situations, and a lot of warmth.

In an early sequence in church, the pastor's sermon centers on the Lord Jesus' command for us to "love our neighbors as ourselves." The film shows love in many ways, from Lars' love for an inanimate object to the family and town's love for Lars. Another theme of the movie is loneliness. Not just the loneliness of a man who can't stand to be touched or have a conversation with a "real girl." The film looks at the loneliness we all experience at one time or another.

I really enjoyed watching Lars and the Real Girl. It was kind of an odd feeling to walk up to the check out counter with a movie about a man and his "love doll." But the movie made me want to be a better neighbor and friend, which more than compensated for any embarrassment I might have felt in front of the check-out counter at Target. How aware am I of the lonely people around me? Do I have the kind of loving spirit that would cause me to put up with weird and awkward situations for a loved one? How much do I show ove to those around me?

The movie is rated PG-13 for some "love doll" related dialogue, but it is a surprisingly clean and sweet little independent film. I love movies that bring Bible verses and concepts to life for me, and Lars and the Real Girl did that.

Favorite quote from the movie:
"You grow up when you decide to do right, and not what's right for you, what's right for everybody-even when it hurts." -Gus

JB