Stranger than Fiction (B- or 3/4 stars)
It may be fiction, but I almost wish that this movie were stranger than it is. 'Stranger than Fiction' is a dramedy directed by Marc Forster (Stay, Finding Neverland). Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson) is a depressed author who is having difficulties completing her most recent fiction novel. This novel is about the monotonous happenings in the day(s) of the life of Harold Crick (Will Ferrell). Interestingly, her fictional character is real & she doesn't know it! What she 'does' know is that she plans to kill him off, but doesn't know how to do it, yet. And when Harold figures out that his meaningless existence may come to an end, he searches for purpose in life and a way to defy death. The ambitious concept of this movie is intriguing; existentionalism is fascinating to me. But the writing & pacing of the film are its' definite weak points. When am I going to leave a theater & be excited about a movie-going experience? When!?!?
'Real' Harold is a boring IRS agent who begins to hear Karen Eiffel's monotone voice as a running narrative in his brain. Harold has no friends, no hobbies, no flair in home furnishings ... an esoteric existence. He brushes his teeth, and simultaneously, she types what he's doing on paper (for her new book about him, aptly titled, 'Death and Taxes'). Marc Forster does a great job of showing us what goes through Harold's mind on a daily basis. We see sporadic bursts of shapes and numbers depicting his brush strokes (of his teeth), his strides as he approaches the bus to work, the number of ceiling tiles that he counts in a bathroom, etc.
After seeing numerous psychiatrists who are of no assistance to his recent dilemma, he enlists the help of a bohemian professor, Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) to search out the meaning of all of this. How can Harold change his life & ignite a relationship with a sexy baker, Ana (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who he is currently auditing? And what about this relationship can help him suspend his imminent death until further notice? Can he reach the reclusive Karen Eiffel in time to show her that he's a real man of flesh & blood with a resurgence of purpose for living? Even though the definitive ending to her novel proves it a masterpiece, it would mean that she's killing a real man. Can she handle that? Can he convince her that the audacity to ruthlessly kill all protagonists in her novels is sickening?
Harold is able to woo the free-spirited Ana to becoming his adoring girl; thus, instilling the drive to remain alive & search for happiness. But can he deny fate? His destiny is to die in the novel. Does he overcome this? Can Karen jeopardize her novel at the expense of this inconsequential man? Watch the movie to find out, but don't be surprised when the execution let's down the concept. This is a low-key movie that creeps along until the climax & denouement. There are some touching scenes & some rather (intended) funny moments. But the pay-off is nowhere near as original or satisfying as one would ultimately hope.
Will Ferrell plays the straight man well. Emma Thompson is always interesting to watch; I wish she were onscreen more so. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the bitter side of Ana, & the sentimental side of Ana equally well. Queen Latifah is steady as Penny, Karen's assistant. And Dustin Hoffman has some real zingers for lines, but even he resorts to showing-off in some scenes. Another reason why the film underwhelms me is that Harold & Karen's meeting lacks some serious tension. When the plot of the movie hangs in the balance of Harold's plight & Karen's struggle to complete her book, you'd think their meeting should 'sing'; it doesn't.
'Stranger than Fiction' almost wins me over. But a surprisingly interesting concept is dumbed down for us casual moviegoers; why'd they make it so simple? A certain lack of energy & momentum slows the film in places. It doesn't plod, per say, it just cautiously blends from scene to scene. I laughed, I reflected, I rose from my seat with certain satisfaction. But I'm getting fed up with all of these 'ok' movies. I'm glad that it let me escape from my personal woes for an evening. The film has purpose, it's easy to watch, it isn't made mindlessly, but it's predictable. But I will not be referring to this film as anything exceptional in the future.
'Real' Harold is a boring IRS agent who begins to hear Karen Eiffel's monotone voice as a running narrative in his brain. Harold has no friends, no hobbies, no flair in home furnishings ... an esoteric existence. He brushes his teeth, and simultaneously, she types what he's doing on paper (for her new book about him, aptly titled, 'Death and Taxes'). Marc Forster does a great job of showing us what goes through Harold's mind on a daily basis. We see sporadic bursts of shapes and numbers depicting his brush strokes (of his teeth), his strides as he approaches the bus to work, the number of ceiling tiles that he counts in a bathroom, etc.
After seeing numerous psychiatrists who are of no assistance to his recent dilemma, he enlists the help of a bohemian professor, Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) to search out the meaning of all of this. How can Harold change his life & ignite a relationship with a sexy baker, Ana (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who he is currently auditing? And what about this relationship can help him suspend his imminent death until further notice? Can he reach the reclusive Karen Eiffel in time to show her that he's a real man of flesh & blood with a resurgence of purpose for living? Even though the definitive ending to her novel proves it a masterpiece, it would mean that she's killing a real man. Can she handle that? Can he convince her that the audacity to ruthlessly kill all protagonists in her novels is sickening?
Harold is able to woo the free-spirited Ana to becoming his adoring girl; thus, instilling the drive to remain alive & search for happiness. But can he deny fate? His destiny is to die in the novel. Does he overcome this? Can Karen jeopardize her novel at the expense of this inconsequential man? Watch the movie to find out, but don't be surprised when the execution let's down the concept. This is a low-key movie that creeps along until the climax & denouement. There are some touching scenes & some rather (intended) funny moments. But the pay-off is nowhere near as original or satisfying as one would ultimately hope.
Will Ferrell plays the straight man well. Emma Thompson is always interesting to watch; I wish she were onscreen more so. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the bitter side of Ana, & the sentimental side of Ana equally well. Queen Latifah is steady as Penny, Karen's assistant. And Dustin Hoffman has some real zingers for lines, but even he resorts to showing-off in some scenes. Another reason why the film underwhelms me is that Harold & Karen's meeting lacks some serious tension. When the plot of the movie hangs in the balance of Harold's plight & Karen's struggle to complete her book, you'd think their meeting should 'sing'; it doesn't.
'Stranger than Fiction' almost wins me over. But a surprisingly interesting concept is dumbed down for us casual moviegoers; why'd they make it so simple? A certain lack of energy & momentum slows the film in places. It doesn't plod, per say, it just cautiously blends from scene to scene. I laughed, I reflected, I rose from my seat with certain satisfaction. But I'm getting fed up with all of these 'ok' movies. I'm glad that it let me escape from my personal woes for an evening. The film has purpose, it's easy to watch, it isn't made mindlessly, but it's predictable. But I will not be referring to this film as anything exceptional in the future.