Stranger Than Fiction [M]

“This is the story of a man named Harold Crick… and his wristwatch.” Harold is just an ordinary boring IRS agent who can hear his life being narrated. In a desperate search to discover whom the narrating voice belongs to, Harold’s life takes a turn for the better as he discovers what it means to “live”.

This is definitely one of my top 5 favourite films of all time. It has a wonderfully refreshing and original story, a sensationally smart script, and a load of absolutely fantastic actors. Seriously, if you haven’t seen Stranger Than Fiction yet, you haven’t lived!

“This is the story of a man named Harold Crick… and his wristwatch.”

Harold Crick is a just an ordinary man leading an ordinary and boring life. However, one fateful Wednesday, Harold begins to hear a woman’s voice narrating his every move. At first, the voice is only narrating everyday activities that Harold engages in, but then it utters a sentence that sends Harold’s mundane existence in a whole new direction. With the help of Professor Jules Hilbert, Harold learns that he is a character in an up-and-coming novel being written by an eccentric author who is famous for killing her main characters in creative ways. Now it’s up to Harold to quickly track down this author and stop her writing before she conjures up a way to finish him off.

One of the greatest films ever made, Stranger Than Fiction, is a classic example of plot misdirection. I would say more on that point, but that would completely spoil the film. It’s an incredibly clever and beautiful story about a man who simply exists, but then walks down a certain road and learns how to live.

Will Ferrell stars as Harold Crick, and I have to say that I think this is the best performance from Will I’ve ever seen. We all know Will as being an outgoing and outrageous comic actor. Always big and broad and loud and not-to-be-ignored. But in this movie he completely shatters that image that we have of him. In Stranger Than Fiction, Will is shy, introverted, and incredibly quiet whilst in the company of other people. He is absolutely adorable and every time I see this film, I laugh, I cry, and I choke. I salute you Will!

Starring as Harold’s romantic interest is Maggie Gyllenhaal, one of the most beautiful women on the screen today. Seriously she is gorgeous. I don’t usually take to actresses, but Maggie, wow babe. In this flick she is feisty and aggressive, but with a certain sensual charm and stylish elegance. She’s quite enchanting.

Emma Thompson is the author whom Harold is after. As much as I love Will in this movie, Emma was the real star. You could even go so far as to say that she is a personification of Death. With her long dark bohemian coat, her dishevelled hair, her constant smoking, and contemplating all possible causes of death. She was sassy, stylish, witty and just downright wonderful. She had me at this line: “I read this in this fantastically depressing book.”

Along with Dustin Hoffman and Queen Latifah, Stranger Than Fiction is a truly beautiful movie filled with romance, cute little special effects, enchanting characters, guitars, a wonderfully clever scrip, and chocolate chip cookies. Seriously, this movie had everything in its favour. I usually don’t force my opinions, but you have simply GOT to see this movie. NOW! Run down to your local Blockbuster or wherever and rent a copy of Stranger Than Fiction. You’ll be glad that you did.