Anyone pick up or see "Lars and the Real Girl" (1 Viewer)

[Southpaw]

Decided to pass on a blind buy of this one due to it's unusual subject matter but critic reviews of this one were mostly positive. Anyone see this on DVD yet? If so, what did you think? What about picture and audio quality?
I've got it in my NF queue so hopefully I'll get it later this week.

 

[Yumbo]

Rent it to be safe.

I didn't mind it. The backstory is mental illness.
I liked the actors, and the score was pleasant.

 

[Jon Martin]

I watched it last night. Rent it, or not.

There are those who think of it as a cute, Capra-esque story about quirky small town life, but just as many other critics found it to be a rather poorly realized film about enabling mental illness, that didn't deserve the quirkiness.

I'm more with the later group. Plus, it just wasn't funny.

 

[Michael Reuben]

Yes, critical opinion on the film was wildly split. It's a "love it or hate it" item.

Personally I thought it was hilarious, with some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, especially near the end. Of course, I would disagree that any aspect of the story is about "mental illness", which I think is the whole point of what Patricia Clarkson's doctor character keeps trying to tell the family.

M.

 

[Yumbo]

Watch the extras - it is totally about mental illness. A true story apparently.

Anyway, it does have funny moments.

 

[Michael Reuben]

I know this may surprise some people, but I base my interpretation of a film on the film, regardless of its sources. And I stand by my assessment. Of course, I'm sure you define "mental illness" differently than I do. (As we established in the Transformers thread, you and I agree on very little.)

M.

 

[PaulaJ]

Is this coming out on Blu-Ray? Not that I have a Blu-Ray player yet but I'm feeling the beginnings of the urge to do so.

 

[Yumbo]

Now now, that's the beauty of movies etc, subject to interpretation due to its polysemic nature. Take from it what you will.

 

[Brian Saur]

Well worth a look as a rental at the very least. This film was one of the big surprises of last year for me. Found myself much more engaged by it than I ever thought possible.

 

[Roy Johansen]

I absolutely loved this film... One of my favorite of the year. I found it very funny and unexpectedly moving. Great performances, an Oscar-nominated screenplay, and direction that never wavers in its tricky yet pitch-perfect tone. But "Lars" isn't everybody's cup of tea, so I wouldn't recommend a blind buy.

I'm bummed it's not available on Blu-ray yet, but I'll enjoy my DVD in the meantime. It's a nice-looking disc, but I haven't taken a look at the (meager) extras yet.

 

[Michael Reuben]

That's a nice approach, Chris. It would be great if you actually followed it.

M.

 

[Yumbo]

What's eating you mate?

I liked the movie. I enjoyed the extras.

Cheers

 

[Michael Reuben]

Nothing. Glad you liked the movie.

M.