Lars And The Real Girl (7.9/10)

Ryan Gosling's dynamic range was on full display even this early 2007 film It was a real showcase for what he could do. Lars is such a specific, strange premise (a delusional relationship with a life-size doll played completely straight by an entire town), and the film commits to it with real sincerity rather than playing it for cheap laughs. The plot and performances are genuinely good and unique, this isn't a "so bad it's good" watch, it's legitimately well made. That said, I wouldn't broadly recommend it. It's a niche film, and I think a lot of people will bounce off the premise before giving it a chance to earn its sincerity. If you're open to something quiet and odd, it's worth it — just don't expect mainstream appeal."Extremely shy Lars (Ryan Gosling) finds it impossible to make friends or socialize. His brother (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law (Emily Mortimer) worry about him, so when he announces that he has a girlfriend he met on the Internet, they are overjoyed. But Lars' new lady is a life-size plastic woman. On the advice of a doctor (Patricia Clarkson), his family and the rest of the community go along with his delusion."