Lars and the Real Girl is a sweet, soulfully acted fairy tale about a social misfit and the town that loves him. Director Craig Gillespie (Mr. Woodcock) and a gifted cast treat Nancy Oliver’s delicate screenplay with the same respect the characters treat Lars’ unusual new girlfriend, and therein lies the charm. What could have been cloying or absurd is instead endearing, even if the film is somewhat too long for its conceit.Holding the film together is Ryan Gosling’s remarkable ability to give an introverted, delusional character charisma. As evidenced in his complex portrayal of the anguished teacher in Half Nelson, as well as in earlier films, Gosling disappears into his roles. His performance as Lars, a severely shy, child-like man living in the garage apartment behind his brother’s house in a wintery Midwestern town, is subtle, surprising and tremendously affecting.