Stranger than Fiction
As a novelist (Emma Thompson) struggles with how to kill off her main character, IRS auditor Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) begins hearing her narration in his head and realizes he must prevent his own death. Crick's world turns upside down, and it's a life-or-death situation as he tries to persuade best-selling author Kay Eiffel to change the ending of her novel. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman and Queen Latifah lead the fine supporting cast.
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» Reviewed by 16 people
This movie really surprised me because I didn't know what to expect. Being used to Will Ferrell as a slapstick kind of actor, I was impressed that he was able to pull off a more serious role. The overall plot was interesting as Dustin Hoffman tries to help Ferrell's character determine if he's involved in a comedy or a tragedy. It's a strange story indeed, but I think it works well.- SpdRacerX
This is, by far, one of the most wonderful films I've seen in a very long time. While I haven't been much of a Will Ferrell fan in the past, this movie has truly opened my eyes to just how great of an actor he really is. I'm ashamed to admit that this may have actually been the major reason that I didn't watch this film before now. Dustin Hoffman, like his role in I Heart Huckabees, seems a perfect fit in the important role he plays. Maggie Gyllenhaal, often seen in a negative light, for whatever reason, is absolutely beautiful in her role. What would you do if you were Harold Crick? Does Harold Crick's story lead some meaning to our own?
- Strivinglife.net
The conceit behind "Stranger than Fiction" is not new, but it certainly had promise. The cast is, for the most part, quite good, with Dustin Hoffman turning in one of those gleefully quirky supporting performances that he seems to seek out these days. The direction often has a subdued elegance to it. The real problem with the film is the script. When you set up a premise such as this, a man finding himself a character in a writer's novel, it's a shame not to do it justice. Yet the idea is never fully explored; once do we see the writer amazed at her own ability to control reality, but (shades of John Candy's "Delirious" here, I realize) would she never think to take it any further? If anyone found they could control the world with their typewriter, would they stick only to their literary pursuits? Another point never resolved is Harold's free will. As he points out early in the film, the "voice in his head" says things he has already done, not things he will do. I honestly didn't understand why he couldn't simply go on doing what he wanted to do, as the "voice" never actually made him change his actions. Lastly, one minor point that bugged me (a student of literature) greatly was the sloppiness in the use of terms. It may have been for the benefit of the audience, but an English professor would never seriously refer to a protagonist as a "hero," or a novel as a "comedy" or "tragedy." Again, a minor point, but one which really grated on my ears each time in came up. In short, "Stranger than Fiction" is a cute, inoffensive little movie, but it could have been a lot more.
- Bromius
What a fun, witty, extremely well acted movie! Emma Thompson and Will Ferrell were both incredible.
- proc113
Part Romantic Comedy, part Carpe Diem, and deeper than the previews would suggest, this is a far more philosophical Groundhog Day, without the annoying repetition. Delves into themes like the nature of Tragedy and Comedy, and Achilles dilemma: to die and be remembered forver, or to live and face obscurity. [Spoiler Alert] Ending is a bit weak, but understandable, given that the writer has truly put a human face on her character and is loath to kill him, even in a meaningful way.
- Maubs
I really liked this one and I think it's my favorite Will Ferrell movie now - instead of playing the silly, over the top type of character that he usually does, Ferrell plays this role very seriously. It's a pretty strange and silly story, but he plays it so seriously... it's really touching. I have new respect for him as an actor. Not a great move, but I'd highly recommend it.
- Lost_In_NJ
While I enjoyed 75% of this movie, I found parts of it rather formulaic and predictable (like the ending). Those latter qualities are fine when I go into any other movie where there is a romantic interest, a life-changing event, etc., but I kind of walked into this expecting a good comedy with some post-modern, existential wit thrown in. The performances moved be on their somewhat shallow, caricature-like writing. I thought Will Farrells performance to be tremendous in its restraint. Emma Thompsons acting was good as well. And as always, I love Tony Hale (Buster Bluth from Arrested Development). If only the ending had been different. If only it hadnt devolved into the type of movie I thought it wasnt. I felt like the producers screened the movie and then told the writers to change the ending. I have to admit, I agreed with Dustin Hoffmans assessment, the original ending was more poetic and meaningful.
- JLo
Very cute movie - it's Monk meets Adaptation. Has it's funny moments, but overall a little flat. I didn't believe the love story (no chemistry) although I enjoyed watching the two together. Queen Latifah was just there for no reason.
- Toni Toni Toni
This film is fantastic and that is not a word I use often.. The concept, and execution are fascinating and thought provoking. Even if you dislike Will Ferrell, I believe you will enjoy this movie.
- Partypeanut
Those of you that liked/loved Adaptation will enjoy this film. Will Farrell does a more than adequate job in his role as well.
- T-Bone
I liked the great original premise to this movie, but thought it was not quite developed enough. I liked the way the main character's brain thinking was shown in the beginning - a very creative touch. I did enjoy the writer and her relationship with her assistant, and the liked the professor and his "expert" opinions and his relationship with the main character. I thought the acting was good all around and I did so love how the movie ended- a great statement about the value of human life- but it didn't feel like a great movie to me. Not sure why. It was just OK.
- VJ Purplequeen
Like stale bread or flat beer, it didnt take long for something that looked so good (in the previews) to go so wrong. The narrative in the beginning highlights a very boring mans life. Mostly, for like a full 30 minutes. I have more fun brushing my own teeth. As the main character begins to realize whats going on, there are actually some intelligently posed questions. Introspectively speaking, there was some interest here. Heck, I even smiled at a couple of jokes. And then the movie peaked. I was 45 minutes in, Id sat through a painfully slow and moderately annoying beginning to smile at a dry joke or two before muddling my way through plot holes, an annoying love interest and to cap it all off, a totally weak cop out ending. But I really cant complain about the acting. Will Ferrell was very un-Ferrell-like in that he showed actual emotion in what was likely his best dramatic performance to date. Unfortunately that meant sacrificing almost all of what it is about him I actually like. The supporting actors, Dustin Hoffman and Queen Latifa were great but wasted. And the love interest was just annoying and a bit dirty (
and I dont mean that in the good way). At almost 2 hours long I cant recommend this to anyone. I am convinced theres more entertainment in watching the boring details of your own minute-by-minute life than Harold Crick, IRS Bore King of the Mundane Plain World.
- Creeper
Truly enjoyable movie. Thompson creates yet another memorable character. She truly excells at portraying cynical characters. Gyllenhaal's character, although not as memorable, was well portrayed. Huffman was excellent as well. And Ferrell, well, it was good. His expressions' portraying a lost sad man living a completely uneventul life won me over. The movie, as opposed to its characters, refused to fall into cynicism. It is intersting to note that the most cynic of the characters goes outside of her own self involvement to write a "good but not great ending".
- Goddess
I love Will Ferrell - he is a comic genius, and while I didn't LOVE this movie, I liked it, and I really liked Maggie Gyllenhaal performance. They did some interesting effects to do a cool portrayal of OCD. The whole thing kind of left me unsatisfied, even though I don't know what I would've changed about it.
- Melly J, SV, AZ
Being a novelist, I very much wanted to like this movie. The plot has such potential...this movie was a terrible disappointment! I caught myself constantly checking to see how much of the movie was left. I watched it all the way through and am now wondering why I even bothered. I do feel that credit must be given to Will Ferrell, who did wonderfully in a movie that was obviously a stretch from anything he has done previously. Will Ferrell may well have a career outside of comedy...if he avoids movies like this one.
- poohbear7882
ireviewnetflix.com rating: **** This was a great movie with a great story and a great cast. I don't normally enjoy Will Farrell as I find his comedy movies to be a bit juvenile, but he shows some maturity as Harold Crick in this film and some real potential of one day being more than just a joke. He's very smart to follow the path of fellow funnymen Jim Carrey and Robin Williams who I generally enjoy more in their dramatic roles than their comedic roles, especially recently. Will Farrell is better in this movie than any comedic role he's ever played, including anything he's ever done in Saturday Night Live. Emma Thompson is also wonderful, as she always is, as author Kay Eiffel.
- ireviewnetflix.com