December 05, 2006 05:31 PM EST
(Updated: December 05, 2006 05:53 PM EST)
When I first saw the preview for "Stranger Than Fiction" I thought the film looked lame and I had no interest in seeing it.
Then I was told that the screenplay was written by Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Adaptation; Being John Malkovich). Since I LOVE Charlie Kaufman movies, I decided to check it out. However, once the opening credits started rolling, I learned that my friend was wrong, and this movie was written by Zach Helm. Who the heck is Zach Helm?? I was tempted to leave the theater, but I stayed in my seat, pacified by my peanut M&Ms.
The movie had a great cast including Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, and Queen Latifah. I thought that Will Ferrell was an odd choice as the lead, Harold Crick. Although he did a pretty good job in a more serious/dramatic role, I kept thinking of him in "Elf" and SNL and had a hard time believing in his character. Since I wouldn't consider this film to be a comedy, I would have preferred a more dark/somber actor like Billy Crudup or Christian Bale as Harold instead.
Anyway, I must give kudos to Maggie Gyllenhaal who was tremendous as the anarchist baker, Ana Pascal. Her performance was flawless and she stole every scene that she was in with Ferrell. Long a favorite with the art-house crowd, I expect her career to soar to new heights.
Here's the plot: Karen Effiel (Emma Thompson) is an author writing her latest novel about an isolated man named Harold Crick. What she doesn't know is that her fictionalized character is real. The real Harold Crick (Ferrell) is an IRS agent who has lived a dull existence. One day Crick begins to hear Karen's voice as she narrates her story. Because of this Harold enlists the help of a literary professor (Hoffman) to find out what is happening to him...
I won't spoil the rest of the story for you. The movie was cute and a bit thought-provoking. However, it could have been shorter and needed a bit of editing - I checked my watch three times. Regardless, I was entertained and felt the film was "good" but certainly not "great."
I would give it one thumb up (out of two) and say that it is worth watching, but you might want to wait for it to come out on DVD.
Please provide details below to help Gather review this content. If it is found to be inappropriate and in violation of the
Gather Terms of Service, action will be taken.
You have successfully submitted a report for this post.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 3