I feel that I owe you an apology. Although the premise of your new movie, “Stranger Than Fiction” looked clever, thoughtful and funny, I was a little doubtful that you would be able to pull it off with a straight face. I know, I know- I shouldn’t have doubted you. But to be fair, I have been burned by this type of funny-man career move in the past. Remember Adam Sandler in “Punch Drunk Love?”
But I completely underestimated you. You proved me wrong by appearing custom-designed for the role of Harold Crick, a bland numbers-focused middle aged IRS agent who is counting the seconds of his life away until he one day hears the voice of a British woman (Emma Thompson) narrating his every move. And the plot only gets twistier from there. After Harold Crick (that would be you) determines that he isn’t in fact crazy, but only having his life play out as the character in someone else’s novel, the movie picks up a delightful pace. Especially when he encounters the baker/love interest Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal) when he tries to audit her for her refusal to pay 22 percent of her taxes to the government.
Once Harold hears the mysterious voice warn him of his imminent death, he has to figure out, under advisement of literary critic Professor Julius Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman), whether or not the story he is living out is a comedy (which would end in marriage) or a tragedy (which would end in, well, untimely death). His previously predictable life suddenly becomes more worth living, just as author Kay Eiffel (Thompson) and her assistant (Queen Latifah) are struggling to figure out how to kill off the character of Harold Crick to end Eifel’s latest novel.
I can see why you jumped at this role, Mr. Ferrell. The premise of the movie is very thought provoking and promising. And you pulled it off with the kind of straight-faced comedy that reminded me of Nicolas Cage in “Adaptation” or John Cusack in “Being John Malcovich.” You made ordinary scenes chuckle-worthy or even laugh-out-loud funny through just tone and inflection, and without ever having to strip down naked or catch yourself on fire.
Kudos.
And although the overall plot of the movie had some troublesome inconsistencies and narrative holes, they didn’t amount to that much of a distraction. Harold Crick learns, upon hearing of his own imminent demise, how to appreciate the small moments in life. And the audience, in turn, learns to look away from the big picture and appreciate the small moments in the film, such as when Harold makes his stumblingly sweet confession of love to Ana (even the toughest of cynics had to stop and have an ‘aw’ moment), learns to play the guitar, converses with fellow IRS buddy Dave (“Arrested Development’s” Tony Hale) or submits to the literary kookiness of Professor Hilbert.
The movie creates no mind-shattering revelations and offers no moments of deep existential thought, although its concept could allow for both these things. In the end, it is not designed to be an especially deep movie at all, but only a sweet comedy based on an interesting idea. Which is why, Will (may I call you Will?), you were an absolutely perfect choice for the role of Harold Crick, and I applaud you for taking the main role of this movie in the light-hearted direction that it was meant for.
Again, I apologize for doubting you, and I promise to never do so again. I look forward to the release of “Blades of Glory” and your return to bodily-function-related humor, but I hope you don’t abandon the chance to take on more Harold Cricks in your future.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Klingele
P.S.- Nice choice with having Harold play Wreckless Eric’s “Whole Wide World” on the acoustic. If I were Maggie Gyllenhaal, I would have made out with you too.
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Well Done!
Written by Guest on 2006-11-15 09:26:26
Great piece! Good work and I can't wait to see the movie now! |
4 stars
Written by Guest on 2006-11-27 12:10:53
I really loved this movie. A good intellectual and creative story. I'm so bored by movies, but this one was solid. - Jon S. |
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