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Overview

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Stranger Than Fiction, 2006

Starring: Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Directed by: Marc Forster

Written by: Zach Helm

Language: English

Country: USA

Runtime: 113 min

MPAA Rating: PG_13

Rating:7.7

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Profile of Stranger Than Fiction

The mood of Stranger Than Fiction is clever, witty, and contemplative. The plot centers around the life of a writer, human nature, and themes of mind and soul. It is a comedy and fantasy movie. Stylistically, Stranger Than Fiction is postmodernist, is surreal, and includes a voice over. The setting is Chicago. It happens in contemporary times. Stranger Than Fiction is known for being original, an award winner, and critically acclaimed. Note that it includes nudity.

Summary of Stranger Than Fiction

Known to most audiences for his hilarious characters, funnyman Will Ferrell continues to try his hand at more serious material with STRANGER THAN FICTION. The film comes as relatively light fare for director Marc Foster, whose previous works were FINDING NEVERLAND and MONSTER'S BALL. While not exactly a drama, the film shifts between humorous and heavy realms, one of its central questions being: "What makes a comedy or a tragedy?" In WINTER PASSING and MELINDA AND MELINDA, Ferrell awkwardly occupied a strange space that was neither clearly dramatic nor comedic, leaving audiences confused over whether to laugh at the actor or with him. Here, in the role of boring Harold Crick he appears a bit more at ease, as Harold is not expected to be funny--funny things just happen to him. Instead of depending on Ferrell for jokes, the film delivers laughs on its own by exploring what happens when an IRS agent with a dull, solitary life receives unwanted company in the form of an intrusive female voice narrating his every move. As distracting as this is, things become truly worrisome when the narrator (Emma Thompson as an eccentric author) informs Harold of his looming death.

How Harold's life changes as a result of this terrifying knowledge depends largely on wacky Professor Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) and on tax-evading baker/love interest Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal). While Queen Latifah's role as an author's assistant is underdeveloped, Tony Hale brings an innocent charm as Harold's coworker and only friend. At times, the film's take on existentialist themes feels strikingly familiar, and is clearly influenced by features like ADAPTATION and I HEART HUCKABEES. Among its strengths, the film features interesting sets seemingly influenced by the 1950s version of the future, and functions as a small step forward for Ferrell.

Details

Language:	English
Country:	USA
Release date:	5 October 2006
Runtime:	113 min

Cast and Crew See all

Will Ferrell

as Harold Crick

Emma Thompson

as Karen Eiffel

Maggie Gyllenhaal

as Ana Pascal

Photos See all

Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Will Ferrell and director Marc Forster on the set of Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Clips See all

Stranger Than Fiction: Home Video

Stranger Than Fiction: Official Trailer

Critics Reviews See all

San Francisco Chronicle

In a film that easily could have been cold or ironical, Ferrell provides the emotional thrust. Full Review

|
by: Mick LaSalle

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

With a track record that stretches from "Monster's Ball" all the way to "Finding Neverland," Forster is clearly a director at ease with a wide range of material. He's found confection-land here, setting his beater on ready-whip and mixing the dough... Full Review

|
by: Rick Groen

Users Reviews See all

I think this is the sole Will Ferrell movie I enjoyed. It has a lot to do with the fact that it's not a standard Ferrell flick. Read and rate it

20.January.2011
|
by: Kevin
Kevin rated this movie0/10

I was really pleasantly surprised by this film. I wasn't expecting it to be that funny (Will Ferrell comedy is not my style), but it was. It's smart, low-key comedy and it's also quite sweet and charming. I thought the acting was great, even by the... Read and rate it

11.May.2009
|
by: Rowan MacBean
Rowan MacBean rated this movie8/10Great

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