Unreal acceptance

Friends don’t let friends descend into Lars-like pathology | Meghan Keane

Like Frank Capra's George Bailey, Nancy Oliver's new film Lars and the Real Girl (rated PG-13 for sex-related content) presents the story of a sweet, small town man saved by the affection of his friends and neighbors. But Oliver has tempered this message by having her lead character find redemption not through an angel who gets his wings, but through a blowup doll.

Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) is an introverted 27-year-old whose inability to cope with life inspires a delusion that his newly purchased, anatomically correct blowup doll is the real, live girl of his dreams. His antisocial tics begin to melt away as soon as he introduces her to his brother, Gus (Paul Schneider), and Gus' wife, Karin (Emily Mortimer). The couple, encouraged by doctor and psychologist Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson), decide to indulge his fantasy and convince their friends and acquaintances to play along as well.

Find out how to get instant access to this article and one month of WORLD for only $5.00! If you are already a subscriber, please log in below.

The complete article is ~241 words long

Current Subscribers

Magazine
Subscriber

Online Only
Subscriber

>> Click here to see other purchase options for this article

New Subscribers

Secure form

Receive instant access to this article and the WORLDMag.com Archives
Plus, enjoy 2 issues of WORLD Magazine for only $5.00*

Want a different type of subscription? Click here for Online-Only Subscription options. Or here for Print Subscription options (which include online subscription access).

Payment Information

Name	State	Card Type

Address	Zip	Card Number

City	Email	Expiration Date
		/
	Phone Number

Offer Terms

Subscribers Advantage Automatic Renewal Program You authorize WORLD Magazine to charge your credit/debit card at the price listed above and in time to renew your subscription to WORLD Magazine, without interruption, before the start of the first 6-month term (for $24.95) and then thereafter at 6-month terms at the regular rate then in effect unless you tell us to stop. You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all unmailed issues. If your credit/debit card cannot be charged, we will bill you directly instead.

*Offer good in the U.S. only for new subscribers.
I agree to the terms above

Outside the US, click here.
Renewing subscribers, click here.
Gift subscriptions, click here.

Copyright © 2010 WORLD Magazine
Articles may not be reproduced without permission
November 10, 2007, Vol. 22, No. 41

MORE PREVIOUS ISSUES

Elephant in the room Nov. 3, 2007 View WORLD E-zine	States' rights Oct. 27, 2007 View WORLD E-zine	A mighty fortress is our sect Oct. 20, 2007 View WORLD E-zine
Mission: Impossible? Oct. 13, 2007 View WORLD E-zine	Preach it Oct. 6, 2007 View WORLD E-zine	Survivors Sep. 29, 2007 View WORLD E-zine