Even for a dedicated film fan like yours truly, the release schedules for the past few weeks have been somewhat ... dull, unexciting, lacking in quality or interest or anything that would make me actually really want to go to the cinema. The shining, solitary exception to this is this surprising indie oddity.
Don't be put off by the plot - which concerns a shy, lonely man (Ryan Gosling) who creates a delusional "real" relationship with a sex doll he buys on the internet. Becoming convinced that she is a real Brazilian missionary called Bianca, crippled by an illness. Following advice from the local psychologist (Patricia Clarkson) the whole community buys into this delusion in order to help Lars.
Don't be put off either by the fact that director Craig Gillespie's only previous film was the woeful Mr Woodcock. Aided by a great script from Nancy Oliver and some great performances, he manages to create a film that is subtle, funny, surprising and tender where his previous film was loud, brash, predictable and more than a little crap. Amazingly, it also a film with barely a hint of sleaze - no mean achievement given the subject.
It's not perfect - it does lack something in realism and is somewhat rosy in its portrait of small town America - surely somewhere there would be somebody shouting abuse or something. But it is a compelling portrait of loneliness and delusion, as well as support and love. Gosling (Half Nelson) is again superb - a picture of stumbling awkwardness who visibly grows in stature as the film progresses. He's supported well by the rest of the cast from the ever-excellent Clarkson to Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider (you'll know the face even if you can't place it) as his brother and sister-in-law and Kelli Garner as the colleague who really rather likes him.
Overall - 4/5 A surprising delight that will amuse and move far more than it will make you squirm.
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