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Home > Archive > Apr 3, 2008

Two Indie Films Treat for Heart and Funny Bone
By Ann Staples
Two small independent films, both rated PG-13, are definitely worth a venture out to the theater. One is a light, whipped entertainment treat, the other is thought provoking, with inspiring insights into compassion, especially for those who struggle. These movies are for young adults and adults, due to content, and touching on material which might spark questions.
“Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” takes place in 1939 London, with a great cast that includes two tremendous leading ladies. They are so different in styles from each other, yet deciding which is your favorite is difficult.
Both talented actresses bring the best of their game to every role. In this delightful film, Oscar winner Frances McDormand (“Fargo,” “Madeline,” “Something’s Gotta Give”) is a down and out, drab, former governess, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew. When she loses her job, she is literally on the skids with no money or prospects.
Desperate to find work, she overhears a conversation about a job opening for a social secretary to an up and coming American actress and decides takes a chance. She shows up, uninvited, for the interview.
Miss Pettigrew finds herself thrown into a whirlwind of chaos that is the life of actress and singer Miss Delysia Lafosse. Oscar nominated Amy Adams (”Junebug,” “Enchanted,” “Charlie Wilson’s War”) is pure perfection every time I see her. She can be spun sugar in one project, and pull off a serious role in the next,  depending on what is required. I think she is wonderful in this movie!
When Pettigrew arrives unannounced at Lafosse’s flat, she is aghast at the madhouse. Lafosse is in the middle of a crisis, juggling the three men whom she is using to climb her way to the top. She has no scruples about taking advantage of these men, but she is so adorable and innocent in her own way, you can’t help but fall in love with her.
Miss Pettigrew feels the same way, and is sucked into eye of the storm. She uses her governess skills to put the three men in their place, and builds up the confidence of Miss Lafosse to stand on her own. Both women instinctively know that they can help each other find what they really need.
The dizzying 24-hour period of this story follows these two different women in all kinds of outrageous situations. A revolving door of men, jealousy, fashion shows, shopping and makeovers, heart to heart conversations, little lies, blackmail, a tear jerking torch song, and hopefully, true love in the end.
“Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” is a true delight! The costumes, sets, music, and fun are just what is needed to escape the doldrums of life. There are slight forms of undress, such as wearing a towel or robe, and a quick look at a man’s backside. I say go live it up with this one! I give it a frivolous “A.”
If you are looking for a great message, in the form of an extremely unusual premise, “Lars and the Real Girl” is a gem. When this movie first came out I was thrown by what I thought was the storyline. I later found out this movie went the complete opposite direction of what I expected.
A pivotal character in this movie is a life size, anatomically correct, female doll, ordered from the Internet. I know what you are thinking, and that is what I thought too. But it turns out “Lars and the Real Girl” is really a sweet and innocent story.
Brilliant performances were required to pull this off. Oscar-nominated Ryan Gosling (“Half Nelson,” “The Notebook”) is noted for his indie roles. He is so spot-on with this understated performance, I was completely taken in. I ended up believing Lars could fall in love with a doll he thinks is a real person.
Emily Mortimer (“Pink Panther”), Paul Schneider (“The Family Stone,” “Elizabethtown”), Patricia Clarkson (“Good Night and Good Luck,” HBO’s “Six Feet Under”), and Kelli Garner (“The Aviator”) are incredible in their portrayal of the people closest to Lars, who love him through his struggles.
Lars is a loner, living in a cold world, both physically and emotionally. He stays alone in the backyard garage of his old family home. His mother died when he was a baby and the recent passing of his father brings his older brother and his pregnant wife back to live in the main house. It is winter and you can feel the chill.
Lars works in an office cubicle, has little contact with family or co-workers, and wants to be left alone to his stark existence. He fears any outside contact and goes to great lengths to keep to himself.
Until one day, he orders a girlfriend online. The perfect girl for Lars is one that won’t touch him, is shy, proper, and accepts him for who he is. Only Bianca fits this description.
She can’t walk, so is either in a wheelchair or must be carried. She is from Brazil, of Danish decent, so she speaks no English. She is religious and has strong morals, so she has to live in the main house with Lars’ brother, Gus, and sister-in-law, Karen. The shock to everyone is Bianca is a rubber doll.
Lars is not interested in the normal intention behind these dolls. He just wants a companion that will help bring him into society. Bianca forces Lars to interact with others, because of her inability to communicate with anybody other than Lars. He starts talking to others on her behalf, and slowly he merges into contact with real people.
You can imagine how family and a small town would react to such a thing. However, Karen decides to react with kindness, and the rest follow her lead. With the insightful help of the local doctor, and Gus and Karen explaining mental delusion and illness to their neighbors, co-workers, and clergy, the community chooses to take the high road.
The love and kindness shown to Lars and Bianca is a lesson in service and compassion at its best.
I was so taken and touched by this most unusual idea for a movie. No wonder the screenwriter, Nancy Oliver, was nominated for Oscar’s original screenplay, only losing out to the writer of “Juno.” If you can get past the preconceived idea of what is normally intended for dolls like Bianca, you will find a most sensitive and innocent story.
It is with caution that I remind you, a younger audience might ask about these adult dolls. These questions, and the movie, will need to be handled with care. This is a hidden treasure and worthy of an “A,” despite the Internet movie user reviews. The critics reviews are glowing and I agree.
Until next time … Save me a seat!
Ann Staples is a St. George resident who has reviewed movies for KCSG, KONY 99.9 FM, and KDXU 890 AM. She is the former host of local lifestyle and entertainment TV shows "KCSG Today" and "So Utah." Ann is married to dentist Larry Staples and has three children, four step-children, and 11 grandchildren.

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