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May 06, 2008 8:43 AM- a fairytale for me
Sunday, because I had no extra time for nothing, I spent many a lost minute surfing and googling on Nancy Oliver, author of Lars and the Real Girl. (NYT article from October 2007).
There was just one photo of her at imdb, not particularly flattering but it was used again for this radio interview so I figured it was a fair representation, but then, when I later came across a video interview with her and saw how lovely she is (great skin), you can definitely see she has a punker spirit-- with so much gentleness in her eyes and sensitivity. I just had to shake my head at that damn fucking photo. Stupid, I know.
I'm not writing here about Lars and the Real Girl because I am going to post an opine which will be rife with spoilers. (And, if there's anything I love, it is discovering a film all for myself with no previous expectations so I wouldn't want anything less for you unless, of course, you prefer to know what you're getting). So fair warning--
I was just so taken with Nancy Oliver's story, both her own as a writer and the screenplay she wrote for Lars and the Real Girl, which is truly a contemporary fable. And yet, despite the fact that this film received a standing ovation from the audience when it was launched at the Toronto film Festival last year, people think it's some sicko flick about a guy and blow-up doll. I know I did.
How did it get added to my netflix queue, then? I must've read something somewhere, but I have no clear recollection. Weird thing, we had two films come in last weekend: Juno and Lars. We watched Juno first (because we were both a bit, um, boy with blow-up doll, eh? Let's wait on that one). Juno was a film I'd heard TONS of buzz about and, you know, it was sweet. The lead actress is extremely appealing as was the supporting cast, but at the end of the day, for me, it was a bit too two-dimensional, rather sitcom-esque and more clever than smart.
So imagine my surprise, as I discover that this writer who dazzled me with Lars was up for an Academy Award in February and lost out to Juno's author. What are the odds? And? How did I not know this? Where the fuck was I last winter? Oh, that's right, buried under snow.
For the record, I challenge that vote.
And you know when I challenge the Academy, people sit up and take notice.
Okay, I'll stop now, but one of the many things I resonated with in reviewing these interviews with Nancy Oliver is when she said something about the film being an exploration of 'what if'?
What if people, as a community, treated mental illness with love and compassion?
Yeah. How different a world would that be?
got 2 cents?
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DiaryofWhy says:
Having not seen the movie I'll have to wait until I comment on it. But for now, I LOVE both those photos. Like looking through a portal into another world.
posted on: May 06
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wordybird says:
somehow, when i looked in your mirror, i expected to see the arnolfini wedding...
posted on: May 06
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bp says:
okay, wordybird-- I think that constitutes as the all time weirdest thing a post of mine has ever evoked-- what should be the prize?
posted on: May 06
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immersion says:
The idea of a person befriending a life size doll was a dilemma for myself when presenting a study of the artist Oskar Kokoschka to the class of 4th and 5th grade students. Oskar himself had a doll made of his true love that was his constant companion. I found this intriguing yet I was hesitant to share this fact with the students. I ended up telling them about it (you can read in my blog) and I don?t think I?ve ever seen so many students tuned into what I was saying at the same time. Every eye and ear was focused on this story. There was not a stray in the bunch. See what stories can do?!
posted on: May 06
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Jazz says:
I've wanted to see this movie for a while now. And I know I will, eventually, one day when i'm not totally way too lazy to get my nose out of my book, get up off the couch, and take myself five minutes (ok, make that three) down the street to the video place. I will see it. Yep. I will. Until then I'd really like to borrow that bed...
posted on: May 06
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Jazz says:
The mirror was taken more recently than the bed, eh?
posted on: May 06
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lizardek says:
Your review of that movie is about the only thing that would make me even consider seeing it. I'm really glad to know it ISN'T a sicko with a blowup doll movie, though actually, now that I think about it, I doubt it would have gotten so much hype in the general media if that HAD been the case.
posted on: May 06
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violetismycolor says:
ME? Was it me whose opinion on this movie shone forth into your consciousness? I wwote a glowing reviiew about it in my blog and rave about it to everyone I know. Maybe someone is listening....
posted on: May 06
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wordybird says:
yippee! i never win anything! (wait a minute, i think the words "weirdest thing ever" were involved in there somewhere...)
posted on: May 06
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Heather says:
I will DEFINITELY check out that movie now - mental illness is my specialty.
posted on: May 06
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Tracey says:
I haven't seen the movie yet, but the video of Ryan Gosling's comment--Shazam! I'll paraphrase: "What I admired most is how he turned his lonliness into giving love rather than seeking it. Because he had so much love inside of him, he found someone to give it to, regardless if she could reciprocate or not." LOVE the photo, so enchanting (like YOU).
posted on: May 06
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Absolute Vanilla says:
I'd say, 'what if people as a community' did a whole lot of things differently...
:-)
posted on: May 07
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Brenda Kula says:
As for mental illness, my husband, firstly, is a psychiatrist. And this is Mental Health month. I mentioned to a fellow blogger that I might blog something about this being Mental Health month, and she cautioned me. Because, as we all know, mental health is treated as something that is intrinsically bad, and an attitude or frame of mind, instead of the disease it is. I come from a long line of mentally ill women, I shall share here. And I have suffered from severe depression most of my life, childhood and adult. My youngest daughter now, at 29, is feeling the deep tug of it into the black hole. She couldn't figure out what I was talking about all these years, thought I should just "buck up" and now she "knows." So sorry this is so long, and veering off your point. But when in the hell are people going to wake up and see that mental illness is nothing people should be ashamed of. It is genetic, folks.
Brenda
posted on: May 07
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Meg says:
Thanks! I'm ALWAYS looking for recommendations for my netflix queue. I'm adding this one NOW. :)
BTW, You are keeping me inspired to keep pursuing my dream of moving to Port Townsend, WA one day just by being you.
posted on: May 07
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Sharon says:
Thank you, thank you for adding the link to info about Nancy Oliver! I loved the interview with her.... she has a perfectly pure way of describing her work.
Lars was such an lovely, lovely movie. I saw it when it came out, but I have to admit that we did see it on it.... exactly with that "I think we'll wait a bit on the guy w/ the blow up doll movie."
What a beautiful idea of community. Should we all be so lucky.
posted on: May 07
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Liana says:
I love that window!
posted on: May 07
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Grace says:
As stated on your previous post regarding Lars and the Real Girl, this was the most charming movie I've ever seen. Very intelligent and sensitive.
When was the last time I saw a "gentle" movie?
posted on: May 07
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Molly says:
(I also skipped the review because I haven't seen it yet, but it's on its way from Netflix--tomorrow!--so I will come back and read it then.)
However, I couldn't just stop by without mentioning how magical those photographs are! Is this your home? I am mad with jealousy here. Just those glimpses of those trees, that lake in the mirror... absolutely takes my breath away.
posted on: May 07
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Vanessa says:
This is amazing! My husband and I JUST WATCHED Lars and the Real Girl on Sunday night. We watched it with smiles on our faces, tears in our eyes, and love in our hearts. It left me feeling like I was living in some sort of communal-fairy tale.
posted on: May 07
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alison says:
i had heard really good things about lars and the real girl, and it's on my netflix queue, so i will wait until i see it to read your review. funny how the machine just creates buzz around certain people/things and that's what so often determines awards, attention, etc, instead of actual merit.
beautiful pictures!
posted on: May 08
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lynne says:
Okay, you convinced me to rent this movie.
BUT ... I adore that top photo. love, love, love it! Beautiful.
posted on: May 08
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Molly says:
OK, watched it last night and LOVED it too. Thanks for the recommendation. I never would have watched it had you not mentioned it, and now it's one of my best of 2008 (viewing, not released) list. Thanks, friend!
posted on: May 09
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love squalor says:
i'm so with you. we watched it a few weeks ago, the day before we watched Juno actually, and we loved it (bah-bah about Juno).
posted on: May 10
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Pippa says:
I think the word I am looking for when I think of Lars & The Real Girl is "poignant". And I think there must be something very wrong with me for being utterly consumed with sadness at the end of the film ... (well, I don't want to give away the ending for those who haven't watched it yet) ... Let's just say I attach more importance to imaginary ~ plastic or not ~ friends than should be healthy for an adult, it seems. Or I should get more real friends. :)
posted on: May 12
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Lizardmom says:
Oh- I'm so delighted to see a photo of"my room". I am imagining my head on that pillow right now! AAAHHHH!
posted on: May 12
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