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There aren't enough reviews for this flick Favorite Movie Quote: "See they're even fake so they'll never die." If you're big on having a large story unfold before you or mysteries getting explained, this movie isn't going to do it for you. It has a simple and obvious message getting delivered, via a blatant title and poster art that demonstrates pretty much what you're in for. A dopey looking guy who obviously has some issues orders a real looking, life-sized doll through the internet. What you don't see in the poster is the growth that the characters as a whole go through. Gosling isn't the most important person around. The film is filled with side characters who each have a story and position to relate from. As the story moves on and you learn more about the damaged young man who orders the doll as a means of buffering human interaction, you also learn more about seeing things from all sides, perhaps even a little reflection of your own self and your own issues. Gosling was given the Oscar nomination too early in his career with last year's HALF NELSON. While he was excellent, the nomination was for a depressing and meandering character that you can't help but come to pity and loathe in the end. People aren't going to vote for that in Oscar politics. Sure, they'll nominate you, but they might also screw up your future recognitions. Lars is a better character, one that you can feel sympathy for, but people might have been thinking that Gosling was just headed in the opposite direction because he could. And my point is that HE CAN. His delicately nuanced performance makes you wonder if he's crazy or autistic or just severely emotionally retarded. He doesn't just smile that dopey smile. He pouts, he cries, he yells. He covets from afar while having trouble letting anyone up close. Lars is a fully realized character who grows as the movie progresses and he drags the other people in his town along with him. The most heart-wrenching of which for me was Paul Schneider as Lars' older brother Gus. At first, Gus is tempted to write off the situation as being his brother's lunacy and fears the judgment that he himself will receive as a result. As time passes and he humours his brother's wish for the doll to be perceived as real, he learns about himself and his damaged relationship with their father. The scene where he finally breaks down and doesn't judge his brother but instead judges himself on whether or not he could have averted the future with more thought put forward by him in times past is wholly moving in its simplicity. Gus is demonstrated in the movie as being a "man's man," an average guy. He's married, about to have a baby with his wife, works with a bunch of men who tell dirty jokes. But Gus (much to the credit of Schneider who I am beginning to feel was sadly overlooked as a potential supporting actor nominee) isn't reduced to a one-sided emotional gimp either. When asked by Lars about the time when he realized he was a man, Gus hems and haws over his answer while folding the family's laundry. It was all those subtle moments that made this movie so compelling and so moving. How we all wish to "do good" but usually force it upon others without their desire to receive it. And for those who stand in the wings, it is from their corners that we get the greatest revelations, despite their best intention to just stay uninvolved. This is a great character study with a simply marvelous cast. email this review to a friend
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