As Lars Lindstrom, Ryan Gosling offers a very unique perspective to expressing oneself in a relationship. We all may experience difficulties communicating at times but Lars, who has always struggled to express his emotions to others, has discovered that he has absolutely no problem communicating with his new girlfriend Bianca. It probably helps that Bianca is a blow up doll that he ordered from the internet. This bizarre relationship troubles members of the small town where Lars lives, and most unsettled by this imaginary courtship is Lars' older brother, Gus, played by Paul Schneider. But when the local paediatrician and psychologist, Dagmar (played by Patricia Clarkson) informs Gus and his wife Karin (Emily Mortimer) that Lars' delusion is an attempt to communicate with his loved ones, the entire community agrees to support Lars by welcoming his plastic girlfriend into their social circles. This odd couple attends church and parties together and Bianca becomes involved in hospital volunteer work, as well as modelling for the local fashion boutique. Everything finally seems to be going well for Lars. He is finally opening up and talking to his family and co-workers for the first time in his life. Not only is he socializing for the first time, but he does not have to deal with any of the common relationship quarrels, compromises or sacrifices that most couples go through. However, when Bianca's social life starts to become more active than his own and Lars senses he may be developing feelings for a real life co-worker, he must start to face some of the everyday issues that all "real life" couples go through.

"Lars and the Real Girl" is an interesting look at dealing to cope with one's emotions and being able to share those feelings with the people around you. What I liked about this film is that Lars' delusion, although it is categorized as a form of mental illness, it is also defined as an attempt to communicate. He is not simply labelled sick and pumped full of medication or locked away. Everyone recognizes Lars' bizarre behaviour as a cry for help, an attempt to cope with some complicated life issues, and they all work together to try to help him through this troubled time in his life. It is a heart-warming story. Cute and moving. The only drawback to the movie is that there is not a lot to write about other than the story itself. There was no exciting action, no overly dramatic scenes, no outstanding acting performances, the music was lost in the background, and let's face it, the story was a little weird too. But all things considered it was still enjoyable to watch.