Anna Neon"Let's start with ridiculous and work backwards."
January 31st 2007 02:05
Stranger than Fiction (2006)
Comedy/ Drama/ Romance/ Fantasy/ Nightmare
Working for the IRS and living his life by numbers and his trusted wristwatch, Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) is probably the most uninteresting person on the face of the earth and therefore, the most unlikely hero for a fiction novel. However, reality and fiction collide in this comedy/ drama when one day Harold starts to hear a woman’s voice narrating his own life down to the very finest of details, eventually revealing that Harold is facing imminent death. Obviously alarmed, to say the least, he consults a psychiatrist who informs him he has schizophrenia and then a literature professor (Dustin Hoffman) who, bemused by Harold’s odd situation, agrees to help him.
This role is very different for Will Ferrell and his portrayal of Harold Crick, whilst being funny, is also strong and dramatic and at times very touching. In this film, he moves away from the slapstick, guttural humour of his other films and steps into something more sophisticated and challenging. Dustin Hoffman is superb as always in the character of Professor Jules Hilbert and his comic timing is absolutely impeccable, he delivers each line with the poise of a truly well-seasoned professional. Emma Thompson is also a surprise in the role of the author and ethereal narrator, Karen Eiffel, and gives a raw and honest performance, never failing to pay attention to all the little idiosyncrasies of her character that bring Eiffel to life. Maggie Gyllenhaal is fun as the spunky baker, Ana Pascal, refusing to pay her taxes and giving Harold hell before she quickly becomes his love interest.
Directed by Mark Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball), this film is predominantly a comedy, but there is so much more going on between the lines than a few good jokes. Stranger than Fiction touches on the human condition, the lives we wish we led but are afraid to pursue, the search for oneself and the desire to really connect with one’s own passion. Both for those who enjoy literature and those who enjoy a good laugh, there is more meat here than in any of Ferrell’s past ventures and it is definitely worth a look.
Comedy/ Drama/ Romance/ Fantasy/ Nightmare
Working for the IRS and living his life by numbers and his trusted wristwatch, Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) is probably the most uninteresting person on the face of the earth and therefore, the most unlikely hero for a fiction novel. However, reality and fiction collide in this comedy/ drama when one day Harold starts to hear a woman’s voice narrating his own life down to the very finest of details, eventually revealing that Harold is facing imminent death. Obviously alarmed, to say the least, he consults a psychiatrist who informs him he has schizophrenia and then a literature professor (Dustin Hoffman) who, bemused by Harold’s odd situation, agrees to help him.
This role is very different for Will Ferrell and his portrayal of Harold Crick, whilst being funny, is also strong and dramatic and at times very touching. In this film, he moves away from the slapstick, guttural humour of his other films and steps into something more sophisticated and challenging. Dustin Hoffman is superb as always in the character of Professor Jules Hilbert and his comic timing is absolutely impeccable, he delivers each line with the poise of a truly well-seasoned professional. Emma Thompson is also a surprise in the role of the author and ethereal narrator, Karen Eiffel, and gives a raw and honest performance, never failing to pay attention to all the little idiosyncrasies of her character that bring Eiffel to life. Maggie Gyllenhaal is fun as the spunky baker, Ana Pascal, refusing to pay her taxes and giving Harold hell before she quickly becomes his love interest.
Directed by Mark Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball), this film is predominantly a comedy, but there is so much more going on between the lines than a few good jokes. Stranger than Fiction touches on the human condition, the lives we wish we led but are afraid to pursue, the search for oneself and the desire to really connect with one’s own passion. Both for those who enjoy literature and those who enjoy a good laugh, there is more meat here than in any of Ferrell’s past ventures and it is definitely worth a look.
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
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Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I wasn't sure about this film, but it sounds like it's worth a look. Is it out yet, I just had a quick look and I couldn't spot it?
Bye
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I only ever liked Will farrell in SNL but this film may be the first I can sit through with him....
Good review Emma, i will be seeing this one for sure.
Comment by Emma
P.S. I saw a preview screening a couple of weeks ago, Tracy...but I'm pretty sure the film opens tomorrow in OZ.
x
Comment by Francis
Passionate Apathy
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Great review. This movie looked like it would be a little bit deeper than some of Will's other movies (which isn't a bad thing....especially when Steve Correll is doing that slapsticky type humour so well). I'll have to go and check this flick out.
KylieW
Comment by Emma
A lot of comedic actors have started out on SNL, so I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, but this is definitely something different for Ferrell. Most comedic actos seem to be able to do drama very well, perhaps it has something to do with the whole tears of a clown concept. Comedians often see the sad side of life and I suppose that is what compels them to be funny. I like Ferrell's other stuff because...well, it makes me laugh. But I also really enjoyed his step into drama in this film, he did a great job.
Hi Kylie,
I love black comedy, so this film struck a chord with me. I'd love to know what you think when you see it. Keep me posted.
x
Comment by Chantal