Stranger Than Fiction is a story about Harold Crick and his wristwatch. Harold Crick, played by Will Ferrell, is an IRS tax man whose life runs as predictably as the wristwatch he uses to regulate it. This all changes when he starts to hear a voice inside his head narrating his existence, eventually telling Harold of his imminent death. And so the story unfolds... and this is a particularly excellent story. It's an inventive concept and results in an original and quietly funny film.
For those who aren't fans of Ferrell as the balls-out comedian of his more advertised films, then you might find yourself drawn to this side of him. As Harold, he perfectly toes the line between the deadpan banalities of his life and the spontaneous outbursts that come from his situation. He lends the character a certain amount of endearment with his awkwardness, and this is the film's real strong point. It hinges on the likeability of Ferrell's character, and he doesn't disappoint.
He is helped out by a great cast selection as well. Emma Thompson plays the author, Karen Eiffel, narrating his life, and lifts the somewhat cliché perspective of a writer above average and avoids it detracting from the film. Her character develops especially well after she meets Harold, when faced with the reality that he isn't as fictional as she thinks he is. Assisting her in completing the novel is Queen Latifah, sent in as an assistant from the publishing company. She is efficient as Thompson's opposite and shows she too is capable of a change of pace, like Ferrell.
Helping Ferrell with his narration problem is Dustin Hoffman. As the literary expert, he attempts to find out whether Harold is in a tragedy or a comedy so he can prepare himself for the climax of the book. It isn't a huge part for an actor of his renown, but it's one that suits him. Much like his character in I Heart Huckabees, he is insightful in the oddest of ways, and delivers the harsh truths in the softest.
And opposite Ferrell is Maggie Gyllenhaal as Ana Pascal, a provocative baker under investigation by Harold, who provides an unusual love interest. She puts in a solid performance, falling for the same awkwardness as the audience does, whilst putting the tragedy in the film.
Aside from the actors, the direction by Marc Forster is good, keeping up the impressive start to his career. The soundtrack is solid too, blending in with the pace of the film. The music to the DVD menu is particularly fitting.
As a story that explores the notion of comedy and tragedy in life, the film represents a good balance between the two. The oddities bring the laughs and the intimate scenes between Ferrell and Gyllenhaal introduce a tragedy, making his imminent and seemingly unavoidable fate increasingly relevant. This isn't a perfect film, however. The plot wanders into predictability as the film continues, opting for sentiment over power. The ironic parallel between Eiffel's novel and the film is they both suffer from not being able to kill Harold Crick. Where it fails in that respect, it succeeds as a touching and unusual comedy, leaving you feeling good off the strength of a great concept and some great performances, especially Ferrell, proving he is just as good an actor as he is a funnyman.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Sorry for the H, but if this is to be a full DVD review, I would prefer to see a review of the extras in similar detail to the way you've reviewed the film, rather than just a brief mention of the music on the DVD menu and nothing else.
shaaza 28.07.2008 16:25
Nice review x
manlybeach 28.07.2008 16:20
It's surprising how comedians often turn out to be very good serious actors. Very good 1st review and welcome to ciao x
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Advantages: A unique, intriguing and well-written story with some powerful performances. Disadvantages: the ending has been considered by some to be too neatly tied up.
Advantages: Easy to understand - documents ALL her life and her impact upon England as a ruler. Disadvantages: Some people might prefer a 'traditional' film adaptation.
Advantages: Witty, gritty, thrilling... the best gangster film I've seen in years. Disadvantages: A bit of a Deus ex machina ending, some predictable moments...negligable really
Entwife 08.06.2007 (04.02.2008)
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