Lars And The Real Girl Analysis

In the movie Lars and the Real Girl, director Craig Gillespie tells the story of Lars Lindstrom, a socially awkward man who is unable to communicate to others due to childhood trauma. To combat that, he creates the delusion of Bianca, his girlfriend who is in fact an anatomically correct sex doll, which acts as practice for dating and social interaction. Though his town and community at first declines to help, they eventually accept her for Lars’ sake, not knowing how she would impact their own lives. The most profound change in the film is not the title character of Lars who learns he is loved and supported by his community, but rather it is the transformation of his brother Gus. Originally ignorant to Lars’ problems and more caring of himself and his wife Karin, he begins to warm up to him and Bianca, eventually learning a lesson about compassion and understanding nearing the end of the film.

Initially, Gus is oblivious to
He continues to take care of Bianca for his brother, no longer begrudgingly. He also grows more mature nearing the end of the film, as he’s learned to comprehend the situation better. Gus gives his thanks and gratitude to Dr. Dagmar at the funeral, because without her, both Lars and himself wouldn’t have been able to work out their own issues. He understands now how much care and commitment it takes to watch over Lars, and that, thought it is hard, one must make up for their wrongdoings, which is sometimes that hardest thing to do. He has also learned what it takes to be a father, which he thinks of when taking a look at a heavily pregnant Karin during their talk. After witnessing the lasting effect of their fathers neglect had on Lars, Gus now understands the importance of grasping how another person feels, rather than neglecting their needs like he did for Lars. He has now grown into a man who is mature enough to not only take care of Karin and Lars, but the child he will have in the near