Lars (Ryan Gosling) is a withdrawn young man who lives in the garage of his brother Gus and sister-in-law Karin's house. He pulls his own weight and keeps a job, but Karin worries about him. He is terrified to speak to people, doesn't like to be touched, and has never had a girlfriend. That's why she's surprised and relieved when Lars announces that he's seeing someone. Until she actually meets her.
Lars' new 'girlfriend' is a life sized sex doll he ordered of the internet. "Her name is Bianca," he says. "She's very religious, so we aren't spending the night together." Needless to say, Gus and Karin are baffled. Lars, however, is undeterred. He feeds Bianca, helps her bathe, and has heart-to-heart conversations with her. He tells them that she's paraplegic, which would explain why she is confined to a wheelchair. Gus tries to explain to him that Bianca is made out of plastic, but lovestruck Lars turns a deaf ear.
Lars is sent to a psychiatrist, who tries to get to the root of his problems. The psychiatrist tells Gus and Karin to treat Bianca as a real person, and hope that Lars reaches the point where he doesn't need her anymore. Though reluctant, they allow him to take Bianca around with him to different places and introduce her to people.
Meanwhile, a female coworker is attracted to Lars, but he remains faithful to Bian. Finally, however, he starts to feel a need for a living companion, and although Bianca has helped him open up, he wants to move on.
This is probably the ultimate case of bad-idea-makes-good-movie. It's actually more of a drama then a comedy, and surprisingly effective. Is Lars mentally ill? Autistic? Lars and the Real Girl doesn't stoop to simple psychological labels, but instead paints an interesting portrait of a painfully shy man and the levels he will reach to get intimacy. I recommend it. (Rated PG-13)
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