Lars and the Real Girl--a must see!

I had a few free hours yesterday, so I watched two movies I'd been dying to see:  Lars and the Real Girl and Juno.  I was ready to love both movies, but I only loved one. 

The one I loved was LARS AND THE REAL GIRL.  (You can watch the trailer here.)  This film is simply brilliant.  Not for the kiddies, mind you, but a tender, loving look at psychological pain and how the supportive love of community--Christian community--can bring healing. Plus, it's funny, with several laugh-out-loud moments.  A perfect blend of pathos and affection.  

I found myself disappointed in Juno--and as an adoptive parent, I was hoping to cheer from the rooftops for this one.   I did love how Juno learned that her twelve-week-old unborn child had fingernails, and how she made the choice for life.  If I tell you what I didn't really care for, I'll spoil the ending, so I'll hush up now . . . 

I did come away with a renewed appreciation for the traditional adoption process--the one that includes a homestudy and a thorough examination of the adoptive parents' marriage, stability, etc.  Most animal rescue groups do at least that much, so shouldn't we do as much for children? 

Anyway, I liked the movie, but I so wanted to love it.  

But Lars and the Real Girl . . . that one's a gem.  And it wasn't in very wide release (in my area, anyway), so Netflix it or do whatever you must to check this one out.  It's amazing. Spot-on characters, inner tension, and a protagonist you can't help but root for. I loved it. 

~~Angie