Synopsis:

Lars Lindstrom is an awkwardly shy young man in a small northern town who finally brings home the girl of his dreams to his brother and sister-in-law's home. The only problem is that she's not real - she's a sex doll Lars ordered off the Internet. But sex is not what Lars has in mind, but rather a deep, meaningful relationship. His sister-in-law is worried for him, his brother thinks he's nuts, but eventually the entire town goes along with his delusion in support of this sweet natured boy that they've always loved.

The Freak's Rating: C- : As many of you know already, I am a Howard Stern fan.  I've listened for years now.  About ten years ago, as a goof, the Stern show purchased a Real Doll for the studio.  Someone came in to promote it once and the hilarity that someone would spend thousands of dollars to get a doll made especially for their sexual needs was enough to make the crew want one around just for laughs. 

The concept of the doll that I didn't get was the companionship, which this movie concentrates on.  Lars has no sexual interest in the doll, but is disturbed in his loss of companionship in his life.  He believes Bianca (the doll) is a real person and treats her as such.  This is far more interesting than the sexual side and is intriguing as to why someone would require it for fulfillment in their life.

Though the concept of the film, companionship, is strong, the movie falters about halfway through and loses its luster.  I'm reminded of SNL skits that just go on a little too long.  I was correct in my assumption that there was no way I could grow to care for the doll or the characters in the film.  Characters in the film are all very 2 dimensional and you stop caring about 30 minutes in.

Reality would force anyone connected to Lars to put him in a home right away, not go along with it.  How would something like this not make national news?  An entire town going along with the charade just doesn't make sense.

At its heart the film tries to be whimsical and tug at your heartstrings, which it doesn't pull off.  Emily Mortemer is the films only bright spot as Lars' sister in law.  Ryan Goesling, though obviously attempting to broaden his stroke in an independent film, shouldn't have picked this script.  The gimic, though causing a few chuckles in the first act, wears very thin.

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