Stranger Than Fiction
Karen Effiel (Emma Thompson) is an author writing her latest novel about a sad, silly man named Harold Crick. What she doesn't know is that her fictionalised character is real. The real Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) is an IRS agent who one day begins hearing Karen's voice, narrating his life. This distracting development creates havoc for Harold, unable to concentrate with all that talking, and worried for his state of mind - given no one else can hear the voice. It's all relatively harmless though, untill the voices announces that Harold will very soon die.
- Director:
- Marc Forster ('Finding Neverland')
- Writer:
- Zach Helm
- Cast:
- Will FerrellMaggie GyllenhaalDustin HoffmanQueen LatifahEmma Thompson
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressThe oft-examined intersections of reality and fantasy get a thorough workout in "Stranger Than Fiction." Bound to be compared to the work of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, who has set the standard for this sort of intricate cinematic mischief over the past several years...A good B.O. attraction with long-distance potential for smart-skewing audiences...
Hollywood Reporter
pressIn practice, "Fiction" isn't nearly that unusual. Less like "Adaptation" than a smarter version of "Click," the picture pleases while remaining unchallenging to a broad audience...
The Guardian
pressHas some quirky points, but it's very sugary and sentimental, and feeble compared to the work of those who have done the same sort of thing better: Woody Allen or Charlie Kaufman...
Roger Ebert
press"Stranger Than Fiction" is a meditation on life, art and romance, and on the kinds of responsibility we have. Such an uncommonly intelligent film does not often get made...
New Zealand Herald
pressEntertaining and accessible philosophical stroll with Will Ferrell putting in a surprisingly good dramatic performance...
Empire Magazine
pressFor all his storytelling dexterity, Helm can’t conclude his tale with the courage he has at the start, and the ending will more likely annoy than delight. But by this time, both Crick and the film itself have earned enough goodwill in the bank to mitigate against any gripes. If only all postmodernism was so endearing and entertaining...
BBC
pressInstead of finishing with a bang it peters out, but this existential yarn is still fresh and funny enough to justify taking two hours out of your life...
MILDLY DIVERTING
Given the cast I had hoped for more...The voice over reminded me too much of TV'S Desperate Housewives, and th e connection between charactersa little disjointed. What were we to make of Al Pacino's one man attempt to drink all the coffee in the world ?However, Iwouldn'twrite it off. Go see it, make of it what you can.
Variety
pressThe oft-examined intersections of reality and fantasy get a thorough workout in "Stranger Than Fiction." Bound to be compared to the work of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, who has set the standard for this sort of intricate cinematic mischief over the past several years...A good B.O. attraction with long-distance potential for smart-skewing audiences...
Hollywood Reporter
pressIn practice, "Fiction" isn't nearly that unusual. Less like "Adaptation" than a smarter version of "Click," the picture pleases while remaining unchallenging to a broad audience...
The Guardian
pressHas some quirky points, but it's very sugary and sentimental, and feeble compared to the work of those who have done the same sort of thing better: Woody Allen or Charlie Kaufman...
Roger Ebert
press"Stranger Than Fiction" is a meditation on life, art and romance, and on the kinds of responsibility we have. Such an uncommonly intelligent film does not often get made...
New Zealand Herald
pressEntertaining and accessible philosophical stroll with Will Ferrell putting in a surprisingly good dramatic performance...
Empire Magazine
pressFor all his storytelling dexterity, Helm can’t conclude his tale with the courage he has at the start, and the ending will more likely annoy than delight. But by this time, both Crick and the film itself have earned enough goodwill in the bank to mitigate against any gripes. If only all postmodernism was so endearing and entertaining...
BBC
pressInstead of finishing with a bang it peters out, but this existential yarn is still fresh and funny enough to justify taking two hours out of your life...
MILDLY DIVERTING
Given the cast I had hoped for more...The voice over reminded me too much of TV'S Desperate Housewives, and th e connection between charactersa little disjointed. What were we to make of Al Pacino's one man attempt to drink all the coffee in the world ?However, Iwouldn'twrite it off. Go see it, make of it what you can.
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