Lars and the Real Girl [Craig Gillespie, 2007]

• modern day fable balances sentimentality and comedy well, never indulging itself in too many sex jokes or emotionally manipulative climaxes
• screenplay is incredibly basic and unpretentious: everyday language and characters familiar to small town residents [such as myself]
• Gosling escapes into the title role, playing Lars intimately in a role radically different than that in Half Nelson or Fracture. Paul Schneider and Emily Mortimer, especially, are fantastic in supporting turns. Patricia Clarkson is gorgeous as always and Kelli Garner shines in her dorky role.
• use of Talking Heads' "This Must Be the Place" is wonderful; David Torn's musical score is exceptional in the bowling scenes, and the ending.

7.5/very good