The core of this story is not original, but the presentation IS.
In “Stranger Than Fiction,” IRS auditor Harold Crick’s life is thrown out of its usual compulsive schedule when he begins to hear the voice of an English woman. Karen Eiffel, played by Emma Thompson (Angels in America), suffers from writers block on her new book where Harold is the main character.
Soon, Crick, played by Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights), finds himself immersed in a romantic tragedy with pseudo-socialist baker Ana, played by Maggie Gyllenhal (World Trade Center), when he hears his death is in the hands of Eiffel and her typewriter. Soon, he finds a way to live the rest of his life with passion and seeks out the recluse author, hoping to change his ending into a happy one.
This picture is not ha-ha funny as the trailer would have you believe; however, there are a handful of laughs. This picture is the definition of a light-hearted drama.
Ferrell has given his best performance to date in this work (Dec. 12, 2006). Thompson’s role almost had me in tears at one point. Both were beyond excellent and are Academy Award® contenders for the coming year in my book.
Director Marc Forster’s concept of showing Crick’s obsessive-compulsive side was perfect and original.
The story is important. The characters are well rounded, and the film’s heart is HUGE. Everyone I’ve suggested to see this film has come back smiling and thanking me for the recommendation. Thusfar, this is my favorite movie of the year. There hasn’t been many must-see’s in the cinemas in 2006, but this is certainly one of them.
I adored every bit of this movie and will own it as soon as it comes to DVD. It’s simply a great, great work of what’s important in the medium of cinema.
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