JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonStranger Than Fiction (2006)-Trailer Included
May 8th 2007 09:35
Stranger Than Fiction
Coming Soon to Region 4: DVD released 6th of June 2007
Coming Soon: DVD Released In Australia June 6th
Writer:Zach Helm
Starring:Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Maggie Gylenhaal, Tony Hale, Will Ferrell, Queen Latifah
"This is a story about a man named Harold Crick and his wristwatch. Harold Crick was a man of infinite numbers, endless calculations, and remarkably few words. And his wristwatch said even less." - Narrator
Stranger than Fiction is an eccentric self analysis of life and literature that replaces the "love or fear" new age credo of introspection, with a more theatrical comedy or tragedy platform.
"The thing to determine conclusively is whether you are in a comedy or a tragedy. Have you met anyone who simply might loathe the very core of you?"-Jules Hibert
Harold Crick’s mundane existence of banal chores and a borderline autistic obsession with numbers has landed him the job of an unloved IRS agent. Forced to explore his own motivations from an egocentric POV, Harold awakens one morning to discover his life being narrated by an eloquent English woman (Emma Thompson).
As the voice persists in invading his daily routine he seeks help first through psychology that diagnose schizophrenia and prescribe chemical medication.
"This may sound like gibberish to you, but I think I'm in a tragedy." - Harold Crick
Unwilling to accept the verdict and believing himself sane, Harold tracks down a literary professor named Jules Hibbert (Dustin Hoffman). Together they pull apart narrative structure and character development to unravel the secret of Harold Cricks fatalistic reality.
"The only way to find out what story you're in is to determine what stories you're not in. Odd as it may seem, I've just ruled out half of Greek literature, seven fairy tales, ten Chinese fables, and determined conclusively that you are not King Hamlet, Scout Finch, Miss Marple, Frankenstein's Monster, or a golem. Hmm? Aren't you relieved to know you're not a golem?" - Jules Hibert
Taking control of his future and learning to embrace every day instead of merely reacting to its hazards, soon he connects with a strong willed bakery store owner he is auditing.
The uniquely beautiful Ana Pascal (Maggie Gylenhaal) is sponatneous and open minded, through her our understated protagonist musters the courage to begin understanding who he really is.
" Listen, I'm a big supporter of fixing potholes and erecting swing sets and building shelters. I am *more* than happy to pay those taxes. I'm just not such a big fan of the percentage that the government uses for national defense, corporate bailouts, and campaign discretionary funds. So, I didn't pay those taxes. I think I sent a letter to that effect with my return." - Ana Pascal
And under here we have...motivation
John Doe says:
Charming and enlightening in its reflections of our conscious time on the planet, the films sincere dialogue touches and entertains. Director Marc Foster (Monsters Ball, Finding Neverland) manages to match the inventive prose with equally suitable, fluid visual trickery.
Taking a quirky story from the Charlie Kaufman or Michael Gondry school of abstract thinking, the deceptively low key positioning of the camera often highlights movement and heightens emotion. In this environment the stars are allowed to come off as authentic in comparison.
The existential screenplay gives the cast meaningful roles laced with tragic truth. There is a uncomfortably observant sometimes uplifting humour that seems to arise in the moment, feeding an emotional core for us to grasp during the philosophical plot.
The actors enjoy disappearing into their parts and that means the silences share feelings and the line delivery is sincere.
Ex SNL member Will Ferrell (Melinda and Melinda) is a revelation, he skilfully exudes the emptiness the part demands. Where there used to be bluster there is now no sign of fallback onto his old schtick. Gone is the pantomime, replaced instead with a natural, thoughtful portrayal of Harold Crick’s socially awkward awakening.
Dustin Hoffman (Straight Time, Straw Dogs) gets the most laughs courtesy of his I Heart Huckabee’s type, savouring of lines. Appearing effortless onscreen we believe that “loopy professor” is just another side to his real life persona.
Maggie Gylenhaal (Secretary, Happy Endings, Criminal, Adaptation) is carving out a neat little niche with her out-of-type beauty and gregarious nature. Here the actress is the love interest, balancing strong yet fragile, plus focused but flighty with a convincing ease.
Emma Thompson (Dead Again, Primary Colours) seems to be having the most fun of all as a writer obsessed with two things, chain smoking and killing her characters. Mumbling to herself, indulging in intellectual superiority weighed down by fear of change.
Queen Latifah takes it down an octave or two and remains firmly grounded in playing Thompson’s tactile Assistant.
Fans of Arrested Development will relish seeing Tony Hale aka Buster as Harold’s only friend.
John Doe enjoyed Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night live stuff for what it was, sketch TV. In feature length form films like Anchorman, Zoolander, Old School, The Car One etc just end up annoying JD with their repetitive and lowest common denominator stylings.
This performance surprised with its dedication to staying in the skin of a fictional person in every scene. The film itself has a lot to say and like a delectable Sorbet for the mind and heart, manages to be a feel good experience without much guilty aftertaste.
The Trailer
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Yeah, great film. Might have to purloin this baby when it gets released.
Cheers JD!
Comment by Peeker
Film Peek
Gizmo Peek
Film Peek Forum
The concept is just great! Why could they not make a better movie than this? It feels plain and I never felt for Will's character. Nor Emma's. Or Dustin's for that matter.
I don't think it was bad, but not great. Still, worth watching, absolutely.
Thanks for the review Doe.
//peeker
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
I actually rented this movie on pay per view and was surprized at how good it really was!
I don't normally like Farrell, but he actually played a very good, believeable role in it..
and I loved Latifa's role as well..she just seems to keep getiin better and better....
Great review...
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Very true:
The existential screenplay gives the cast meaningful roles laced with tragic truth. There is a uncomfortably observant sometimes uplifting humour that seems to arise in the moment, feeding an emotional core for us to grasp during the philosophical plot.
I was surpised at poignant this film is, I loved the film's concept of art enriching life and the role that it plays.
Great review as always, John,
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
*cracked up*
think I've already said it a few times, but I can't stand Farrell... however, that said, as an empty headed-booby? Well, you never know... since you put it that way *chuckle* ...this actually sounds promising?
I'm going to risk one dollar on it, next $1 per rental Tuesday, just on your say-so.
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Bryn,
Im not a Thompson, Farrell or Latifah fan as a general rule, but they all felt right in their roles here.
Hi Peeker,
I can understand why some people wouldn't "click" with the against type style of performance.
Howdy D,
This is the only Will Farrell film to make me genuinely laugh.....if you like Wes Anderson, Michael Gondry type films give it at try I think you will enjoy the concept.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It surprised me too that Farrell was so effective and the film so entertaining.
Im not a fan of the "Woop, Whoop" Queen Latifah and this stands out as probably her only performance Ive enjoyed...I agree she was fantastic.
Hi Tracy,
The concept of "art enriching life and the role it plays" (love it) is what resonates for me too. The film manages to sustain the heady ideas without sacrificing character development, a difficult feat.
LMFAO Lilla,
He does play an "empty headed booby" ala Chance the Gardner in Being There quite convincingly.
Give it a go, you may like what you see and think.
Comment by Nina
TV Babble
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It really is the Will Ferrell film for people who dont like Will ferrell...just like Eternal Sunshine is teh Jim Carrey film for people who dont like Jim Carrey..
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile