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Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Released By: Sony Pictures   Rating: PG-13   In Theaters: 11/10/2006
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Studio: Sony Pictures
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Marc Forster
Language: English
Official Website: http://www.strangerthanfiction.com
Theatrical Release: 11/10/2006
Home Video Release: 2/27/2007
Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Published ID: 262198
UPC: 043396154070, 043396184770, 043396267824,
Plot: A socially isolated IRS agent whose every move is documented by a disembodied female voice discovers that his life is the subject of a book currently being written by a best-selling author, whose creative block has stunted her repeated efforts to kill him off, in a quirky fantasy comedy written by Hollywood hot property Zach Helm and directed by Finding Neverland's Marc Forester. Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) lives a life of solitude. Kay Eiffel (Emma Thompson) can't seem to find a way to finish her latest book. Though Harold and Kay have never actually met, their fates are about to become intertwined in a most unusual manner. With her publishers growing increasingly impatient with her apparent inability to put the finishing touches on her latest novel, Kay is assigned a new assistant whose task it is to help provide the creative push needed to get her book finished and into the hands of her many eager fans. The subject of Kay's novel is a lonely and despairing IRS agent named Harold Crick, who believes that his life has lost any real meaning. As Kay continues to weave Harold's woeful tale without realizing that her protagonist is actually a living human being unable to concentrate on his life and career due to the constant interference of the narrator who inexplicably seems to anticipate his every move and read his every thought, her continued efforts to kill her perplexed subject finally provide him with the incentive needed to fully experience life by seeking out the source of the voice that plagues him. Penned by the screenwriter named by {~Variety} magazine as one of the Top Ten Writers to Watch and who was also included in {~Esquire} magazine's Best and Brightest list of 2004, Stranger Than Fiction features supporting performances by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, and Queen Latifah. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
I dont' get it
Added 11/6/2009

Just one question: What was the business with the watch? The only purpose I could see for it was that it saved Harold's life in the end, but other than that, what did it have to do with the plot?
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Wonderful
Added 10/29/2009

I had no idea what to expect when I rented this DVD. It looked quite interesting on the trailer so it was a, "Why not?" sort of a rent. And I loved it. I absolutely loved every aspect of this movie. The script was so clever I was savoring every dialogue. The casting was perfect down to the t. Nobody could have played Emma Thompson's character like she did. There's a scene where she talks about a fantastically depressing book that she'd read while researching death...haha~ who else could deliver such a line? Nobody could have played Dustin Hoffman's character - a college professor and the only person who actually believes and tries to help out Will Farrell's character who claims he hears his life being narrated by a woman. The process that he goes through to help out Will's character is ridiculous yet so logical. Get this. Since Will is in some sort of literature (or so he says) Dustin uses his literary expertise to help figure out the genre of the literature thus figuring out how his story/life will unfold. That is ingenious writing at its best, wouldn't you say? I love that Will Farrell plays Harold, the main character, in this. He's known more for his obnoxious comedy but I think this kind of role really suits him. I think he possesses a unique vulnerability that makes him so likable and perfect for this particular role. The comedic inserts throughout the film isn't the kind where you laugh out loud. It's the subtle kind where you just smile and go 'dang, that was a clever line!' I highly recommend it for those who enjoy a good play with words. Let me just say that I'm now the proud owner of this DVD.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
See it
Added 10/16/2009

This is actually now my favorite movie of all time, I enjoy the theme of changing one's life and the actions that occur as a result. Will Ferrel is usually not who i'd expect to be rooting for, but I was - an impressive movie and a total sleeper hit.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Nothing Actually Unpleasant in this Film
Added 9/25/2009

Nor did anything in this film stir me to a laugh or a shaft of light, much less to a state of tension over its outcome.While the script was not focused on a new idea, films need not have new ideas to be entertaining, what they need is entertainment. Despite the talent of the performers, there was little they could do with the sodden script. Frankly, it would be unseemly further to beat this unpretentious effort. If you are stuck with watching it, there is nothing painful in doing so.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Funny and Well Done
Added 9/21/2009

This is a story about Harold (Will Ferrell), an IRS agent that is obsessive compulsive in every aspect of his life.

Harold has a watch that he depends on to control every waking minute of his life. Everything about Harold is predictable. One morning he wakes up to his watch and brushes his teeth the usual 38 strokes up and 38 strokes sideways. He suddenly hears a woman's voice narrating what he is doing. This is very disconcerting to someone like Harold, or anyone for that matter. Everything he does is narrated by a voice only he can hear. The voice states that he is facing imminent death so he goes to a psychiatrist who recommends a literary writer Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) on what to do. Jules suggests to do something unexpected - like tell a baker he is auditing that he would like to start dating her. The baker Ana (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is cute, bubbly and strong-willed, but falls for Harold. This is to be a surprise to the "voice" narrating his life - and cause a different ending. Harold begins to have fun and enjoy life and feels he cannot die young. But then he finds the author, Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson). He learns her books always have an ending where the central character dies at the happiest moment of his life.

The movie is entertaining and funny - a good story about life, death and the tax man.



0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
I dont' get it
Added 11/6/2009

Just one question: What was the business with the watch? The only purpose I could see for it was that it saved Harold's life in the end, but other than that, what did it have to do with the plot?
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Wonderful
Added 10/29/2009

I had no idea what to expect when I rented this DVD. It looked quite interesting on the trailer so it was a, "Why not?" sort of a rent. And I loved it. I absolutely loved every aspect of this movie. The script was so clever I was savoring every dialogue. The casting was perfect down to the t. Nobody could have played Emma Thompson's character like she did. There's a scene where she talks about a fantastically depressing book that she'd read while researching death...haha~ who else could deliver such a line? Nobody could have played Dustin Hoffman's character - a college professor and the only person who actually believes and tries to help out Will Farrell's character who claims he hears his life being narrated by a woman. The process that he goes through to help out Will's character is ridiculous yet so logical. Get this. Since Will is in some sort of literature (or so he says) Dustin uses his literary expertise to help figure out the genre of the literature thus figuring out how his story/life will unfold. That is ingenious writing at its best, wouldn't you say? I love that Will Farrell plays Harold, the main character, in this. He's known more for his obnoxious comedy but I think this kind of role really suits him. I think he possesses a unique vulnerability that makes him so likable and perfect for this particular role. The comedic inserts throughout the film isn't the kind where you laugh out loud. It's the subtle kind where you just smile and go 'dang, that was a clever line!' I highly recommend it for those who enjoy a good play with words. Let me just say that I'm now the proud owner of this DVD.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
See it
Added 10/16/2009

This is actually now my favorite movie of all time, I enjoy the theme of changing one's life and the actions that occur as a result. Will Ferrel is usually not who i'd expect to be rooting for, but I was - an impressive movie and a total sleeper hit.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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