Ryan McNeil
Tonight brought out the third standing ovation I’ve been witness to…and, yes I’ll go there again, the second potential Oscar nomination. Tonight, The Ryerson was packed for the premiere of LARS AND THE REAL GIRL (* * * *). Wonderfully directed by Craig Gillespie, the film is about Lars (Ryan Gosling) – a very sweet, but very puzzling young man who one day surprises his family and community by announcing that he’s in love…with a life-sized doll he buys from the internet.
Sounds silly right? Not in the least. Gosling gives every bit of himself to the role, and soon enough the entire town begin to care for, and love, his new found companion. Around the same time, the audience falls for her too. Patricia Clarkson stands out as the town doctor, who serves as the family’s Jiminy Cricket…and convinces them that while they may well think Lars is crazy, they really need to indulge his delusion for him to eventually get past it.
But it’s Gosling who steals the show, and like I mentioned off the top, do not be surprised if he lands his second straight Academy Award nomination next Januray.
The cast and crew seemed truly delighted by the standing o, and a spirited q&a that followed showed how much they all really believed in this story. My only gripe about the screening, is the audience’s reaction to the third act. The story takes a turn that I can’t easily describe, and moments that are truly beautiful and touching, were getting giggles and laughs by an audience loaded with younger girls. There’s no accounting for people’s sense of humour, but sometimes you really have to wonder if you are watching the same movie they are.
The film screens again on Thursday afternoon, 2:30pm at The Scotiabank Theatre.
Sounds intriguing, not a Ryan G. fan yet, but can’t wait to see this one.