Stranger Than Fiction
2006 Directed by Marc Forster
Synopsis
Harold Crick isn't ready to go. Period.
Everybody knows that your life is a story. But what if a story was your life? Harold Crick is your average IRS agent: monotonous, boring, and repetitive. But one day this all changes when Harold begins to hear an author inside his head narrating his life. But when the narration reveals he is going to die, Harold must find the author and convince them to change the ending.
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Comedy Drama, Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dustin Hoffman
When I first watched this in 2006 I was a little thrown off because I was hoping for a typical Will Ferrell movie, I still liked it but I had to adjust my expectations. This time watching it I knew what to expect and really liked this. It loses half a star because personally the narrator annoys me, not the narration it's self but just her. I like the concept of the movie and it was fun to watch it unfold as I only remembered chunks of the film and not the whole thing. Will Ferrell has shown he can play a few vastly different roles and I would like to see him in more comedy dramas.
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As nutty as a Charlie Kaufmann film but with a lot of heart, anchored by a sweet and nuanced performance from Will Ferrell. Beautifully integrated infographics for the designery-minded.
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You may think, as I did before watching, that this was "That dumb Will Ferrell film where he was in a book or some shit." Once you've seen it, it will have exceeded those expectations. It's charming, with a nice little understated turn from Mr. Ferrell.
And it's quotable as hell, check it:
"I'm an IRS agent. Everybody hates me."
"You're never to old for Space Camp."
"I don't need nicotine patches, I smoke cigarettes!"
"I, O-Ogled you. Sorry." -
Rudyard Kipling believed that “words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind” and it’s this thought-provoking sentiment that’s at the heart of Stranger Than Fiction. Zach Helm’s screenplay is unique and intelligent, boasting many mind-blowing similarities to Charlie Kaufman and Christopher Nolan. The most remarkable aspect of Helm’s narrative is that he treats the outlandish fantasy concept with such realism that it becomes easily accepted, allowing the central romance to take control.
At the centre of the narrative is a breathtaking performance from Will Ferrell who diverts from his usual, overtly brash comedy style and delivers the finest performance of his career. Even as a mild-mannered IRS auditor his comedic ability is apparent, but treated in a…
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Clever, Charlie Kaufman-esque comedy about an inland revenue agent (Will Ferrell) who begins to hear a disembodied voice (Emma Thompson) narrating his life - and predicting his death. Hoping to get to the bottom of things - and so thwart his impending demise - he enlists the help of literature professor Dustin Hoffman, who suggests he turn his life into a comedy by pursuing an improbable romance with tattooed baker Maggie Gyllenhall. The first half is simply brilliant, full of great jokes and outlandish ideas which are superbly realised, but the film doesn't deliver on that promise, failing to engender sympathy for Ferrell's plight and so appearing strangely aloof and detached as the gag-rate slows. It's still an interesting movie,…
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A really forgotten film that works on many level including a good cast, good characters and the plot is just brilliant with a lot of original ideas in it and it really does show how hard it can be to author. Not many people have seen it and some Will Ferrell fans won't like it because the film doesn't have much humor but either way, I enjoyed it a lot and it's another film that needs more attention then it's getting.
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Will Ferrell should do more dramatic films.
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Why doesn't Will Ferrell do more drama type stuff? He is so good at it.
I absolutely loved this story, it is a fantastic concept.
Emma Thompson is amazing as always. -
Comedy Drama, Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dustin Hoffman
When I first watched this in 2006 I was a little thrown off because I was hoping for a typical Will Ferrell movie, I still liked it but I had to adjust my expectations. This time watching it I knew what to expect and really liked this. It loses half a star because personally the narrator annoys me, not the narration it's self but just her. I like the concept of the movie and it was fun to watch it unfold as I only remembered chunks of the film and not the whole thing. Will Ferrell has shown he can play a few vastly different roles and I would like to see him in more comedy dramas.
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actually this was kind of fun to watch
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Well, this movie is downright lovely.
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Un verdadero genio al que se le ocurrió la idea de esta película. Un "dramedy" muy bien elaborado y con mucho corazón, no podrás evitar ser atrapado por esta linda e original historia en donde no sabes qué pasará sino hasta el final. Will Ferrell me sorprendió con su actuación y el resto del cast lo hace excelente también.
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Stranger Than Fiction is an intelligent, thoughtful drama (with just a touch of comedy) and Will Ferrell gives a decent, if unimpressive, performance in the lead role. Really, none of the actors do a bad job, but only Emma Thompson gives a performance that really stands out in any way. But although the performances aren’t outstanding, neither are they bad, and the understated nature of the roles somehow suits a film where there characters are a bit flawed but are mostly just ordinary people. It would have been easy to spin this into another wacky Will Ferrell vehicle, but instead it keeps everything low-key, and is a much better film for it. Read full review.
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Little did he know...
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Will Farrell isn't the most diverse actor. With this movie he was able to show that he can play a serious role, and with that he did a terrific job. You can definitely notice the nuances in the way Will Farrell handles this seemingly different role; with such quirk and charm.
Stranger Than Fiction is an endearing tale that I think appeals to all audiences, and for that I highly recommend this to anyone.