Today’s quick review: Stranger Than Fiction. Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), an auditor for the IRS, wakes up one morning to discover that his life is being narrated by a voice only he can hear. With the help of a literature professor (Dustin Hoffman), Harold determines that he’s actually the main character of a novel being written by Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson). As Karen ponders how to kill her main character, Harold looks for a way to change his fate.
Stranger Than Fiction is a dramatic comedy about life, death, and the nature of fiction. The movie takes a simple premise and spins it into a clever and varied tale that touches on everything from romance and pursuing one’s dreams to the more tragic aspects of life. Stranger Than Fiction features a capable cast, a skillful script, and a handful of presentational flourishes that enhance the film without distracting from the story proper.
Stranger Than Fiction straddles the line between comedy and drama. Harold’s situation and his reaction to it are inherently comical, but the film wades into deep philosophical waters when it gets into the inevitability of death. The equivocation between comedy and drama even turns into a plot point, where Harold must determine what genre of book he’s living in. The blend works fairly well, but it may come as a shock to those hoping for a pure comedy.
The film also has an impressive cast that includes Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, and Queen Latifah. The story’s focus on Harold means that Will Ferrell gets the lion’s share of the screen time, but he handles the burden well. The rest of the cast also leaves its mark, particularly Maggie Gyllenhaal as Harold’s vivacious, unlikely love interest Ana and Emma Thompson as the brilliant but frustrated writer Karen Eiffel.
Still, Stranger Than Fiction has a peculiar flavor that not everyone will enjoy. It’s an unusually grounded role for Will Ferrell, and the unpredictable nature of the plot makes the movie hard to pigeonhole. The effectiveness of the story depends heavily on how much the viewer connects with Harold Crick; there’s plenty in Harold to like, but a viewer who can’t sympathize with him will get little from the film.
Try Stranger Than Fiction when you’re in the mood for an unusually thoughtful comedy. A creative premise and strong follow-through make it a worthwhile watch for anyone who doesn’t mind the mixing of genres. Skip it if you’re looking for sheer hilarity. For a similar flavor of comedy with a wistful tone, try The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. For an even more comprehensive look at a similar premise, try The Truman Show.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for an original premise and solid execution.