By his own admission, in “Lars and the Real Girl,” Ryan Gosling “exposes” himself to a sex toy (not in that way, pervert). But the biggest surprise concerning the film has to be, well, the film itself — a delicate story that manages to walk the tightrope between drama and silliness.
“The script did an amazing job of walking that line,” Gosling said.
That’s in no small part due to screenwriter Nancy Oliver, who was rewarded Tuesday with an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The scribe called MTV News to talk about the honor, how the writers strike will affect her night, and what in the heck that sex doll is doing now.
MTV: How did you hear that you had been nominated?
Nancy NO: I heard actually from the director’s assistant in Canada who became a friend of mine — she’s on a scout up somewhere in Toronto and gave me a call. I heard this morning first from her. The only reason I didn’t hear from publicists and things is that I asked them not to call me because I was asleep from a trip.
MTV: Asleep? C’mon. That’s ridiculous. It’s the Oscars. No dread or anticipation?
NO: To be honest, I thought I might have a shot but I didn’t really think it would happen, so I was totally surprised this morning.
MTV: “Lars” is kind of a fairy tale. Is your nomination a Cinderella story? Something else?
NO: Cinderella in a way, but coming from a job on “Six Feet Under” I wasn’t that much of a Cinderella. I was very fortunate already. It is kind of crazy for it to happen with a first screenplay, and with something as perverse as “Lars.”
MTV: I would have called it “precious.”
NO: That’s the perception of it, as something perverse or precious. But I think when you actually sit down and see the movie there’s a lot in it that is just basic human truth in a fairy tale form.
MTV: Were you disappointed the film didn’t get more nominations? Maybe for Ryan Gosling and Emily Mortimer?
NO: Ryan and Emily, I was disappointed for them. I thought all the acting in it was great. I’m sorry that it didn’t get recognized, but it’s such a rich field this year, the depths and the range of competition is really different this year, I feel, than in other years.
MTV: And Bianca, the Real Doll? How did she react? Where is she?
NO: [She laughs.] There were four Biancas. Two I have no idea where they are. Ryan has one, and [director] Craig Gillespie has the other one.
MTV: Are you gonna show to the ceremony?
NO: Depends on what the union tells me to do.
MTV: How would that feel, as a nominated writer, not to go?
NO: Considering the issues that the strike concerns … it’s OK. Of course I want to have a big party and get a dress and everything. But my real concern is the issues on the table and our future. Hopefully we can get something together before then, but if not, than that’s all right. It’s an honor just to be nominated.
MTV: A deal or a dress?
NO: [She laughs.] A fair deal and a dress. That’s all we’re asking.
