<P> Lars and the Real Girl is a 2007 comedy - drama film written by Nancy Oliver and directed by Craig Gillespie . It stars Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, Kelli Garner and Patricia Clarkson . The film follows Lars (Gosling), a sweet but socially inept young man who develops a romantic yet non-sexual relationship with an anatomically correct sex doll, a "RealDoll" named Bianca . </P> <P> Though a commercial failure, Lars and the Real Girl was critically acclaimed, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, while Gosling received nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor--Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role . </P> <P> Lars Lindstrom lives a secluded life in a small Wisconsin town . It is gradually revealed that his mother died when he was born, causing his grief - stricken father to be a distant parent to Lars and his older brother, Gus . Gus left town as soon as he could support himself, returning only to inherit his half of the household when the father died . </P> <P> The inheritance has been divided between the brothers: Lars lives in the converted garage; Gus and his pregnant wife Karin live in the house proper . Karin's attempts to invite Lars into the house for a family meal are usually unsuccessful; when he does come, conversation is difficult and he doesn't stay long . He avoids social contact, finding it difficult to interact with his family, co-workers, or members of his church . A co-worker, Margo, is interested in him, but he avoids anything more than brief encounters . </P>

Where does lars and the real girl take place