Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
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I've always found that films with Will Ferrell in tend to have the best clips in the advert. It seemed odd then that he had teamed up with Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson and Maggie Gyllenhaal, my first thoughts were perhaps this would be a different type of Ferrell performance. Having seen the adverts it seemed a far more serious film than most of Ferrell's back catalogue and while I started watching it with an open mind, part of me was thinking whether he could pull it off.
Ferrell stars as Harold Crick, an IRS agent who does everything to a set routine, all set by his ultra reliable watch. One day though something changes and suddenly Crick can hear a narrator (Emma Thompson) talking about his life. As anyone would be this freaks him out a little and causes him to seek help. Only instead of trying the methods proposed by a psychiatrist, he turns instead to a literature professor, Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman), who tries to help him determine what sort of story he seems to be in. While the narrator, a published author, continues to struggle with how to
finish her latest novel and in particular the death of her lead character, Harold Crick.
I'd had reservations before I started watching the film and if I'm honest the worries I had about the film were soon realised. It is the first time that Ferrell has taken on a more dramatic role and because of that I found it hard to accept him as the lead character. The film as a whole is quite good and as a dramatic sort of film will certainly keep you entertained. My concern though was my mixed opinion on Ferrell. He came across well but you can't help thinking of him in the slap stick roles from Anchorman etc. This really does work against him and I think it's a shame.
He has a great relationship onscreen with Gyllenhaal's character and the chemistry between them from their first on screen meeting really makes the movie. Maggie seems to be really making a name for herself and her performance opposite Ferrell is assured and for me she really stole the show. Likewise Thompson's performance as the struggling writer is very convincing and you really feel for her. My only real disappointment on the acting front was actually Dustin Hoffman. While Ferrell may have been typecast there is scope for him to break into the more serious roles. Hoffman on the other hand is an established actor and these sort of roles are bread and butter for him but I just didn't buy him as Jules Hilbert.
I think that was partly down to the character and the development of his character. On the whole the writing was very good and the story works quite well, if a little surreal. It is writer Zach Helm's first movie script and as a starting point it certainly works as a decent movie and script. Yes there is a character flaw with Hoffman's character but by and large it is well written and the plot works. It isn't too long and has enough twists and turns that keep you interested for the entire 113 minute runtime. I would say that there is plenty more to come from Zach.
It also helps that the studio managed to secure a good director, bringing in the German born director Marc Forster. His previous films include the award winning Monster's Ball and Finding Neverland. He has taken this script and turned it into a pretty enjoyable film. The shooting sequences look good and the effects and angles he uses really gives the viewer a perception of how the lead character lives his life and deals with this sudden intrusion. It held my interest throughout and while I wasn't too convinced over the characters I felt that Marc Forster's direction really made this an enjoyable film to watch.
Overall it is a film that despite my original doubts over Ferrell, that were in part confirmed, it is a film that works. There are a couple of outstanding performances in this film by Thompson and Gyllenhall that make up for the disappointment of Hoffman. If Ferrell is to carry on with the more dramatic roles he will need to shed his typecast characters and I think that may just be a little too hard for him. As far as a recommendation goes though I certainly would suggest you watch this if you fancy something a little testing, but that doesn't require you to be totally switched on while watching it.
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I've yet to see this, but I usually love Will Ferrell (loved him in "Blades of glory") and I'm a massive fan of Maggie Gyllenhaal so I shall be renting this asap! Another great review.
Ailran 11.04.2007 20:35
I found this to be a lot more enjoyable than I imagined, especially as I normally hate Ferrell! :o)
Much was written about Will Ferrell's first "dramatic role" as Harold Crick, an IRS ... more
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Will Ferrell stars as Harold Crick, a lonely tax man whose world is turned upside-down ... more
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Entwife 08.06.2007 (04.02.2008)
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