Stranger Than Fiction

Every year, I see close on 25 films at the movies and about the same on DVD. Every year, there are films which I really enjoy.

This year (so far) I though 'The Queen' was fantastic. Last year, it was 'V for Vendetta' the year before that was 'Crash' and 'Batman Begins'.

But every now and then, a film will come along, which is even better then that. A film which is in a league of its own. It doesn't happen every year, but it happens. In 1999, it happened with "Fight Club". In 2005 it happened with "Garden State".

And in 2007, it may just have happened with "Stranger Than Fiction"

"Stranger Than Fiction" tells the story of Harold Click (Will Ferrell in a restrained role, yet still so familiar) as an IRS agent who wakes up one morning to hear his life being chronicled by a narrator (Emma Thompson) only he can hear. The Narrator, a nearly forgotten author of tragic novels, is struggling to complete her latest and best book, unaware that her protagonist is alive and uncontrollably guided by her words. Harold soon hears the Narrator say that events have been set in motion that will lead to his imminent death. Harold enlists the help of an English professor (Dustin Hoffman) to help him discover whether he is in a Comedy or a Tragedy. Harold also finds unexpected comfort in a burgeoning romance with a defiant audit subject, Ana Pascal (Gyllenhaal).

Below are 3 reasons why this film is brilliant and could find its way into my top 10 within time.

1) Originality and Script - this may have been done before, but not to my knowledge, by I love the idea of someone's life being narrated and that person being able to hear it. But what makes it even better is the cleverness of the script. The intricacies it pulls us into. The ability for the Narrator to use sentences which are both humors and clever and the character to respond to that accordingly.

2) Acting - I love Will Ferrell, but lets face it, Anchormanm while funny, is not brilliant acting. Im sure Ferrell is really like that in person! But here, here we see a character obsessed with numbers, a lonely man, a man with frustrations and a man with feelings. Ferrell nails this role and makes this film. Hoffman is exceptional, as always. His timing of lines is impeccable, and facial expressions perfectly suited to the role. Thompson is on her game here as well. One scene in particular (I wont name it), but just blew me away.

3) Filming - For those familiar with "Fight Club", one of my favourite scenes is the Ikea catalogue scene at the beginning of the film. I love the techniques here of words and images appearing, but as if they are part of the environment the character is in. This happens throughout the film, and its so eye catching and clever in the way and times it happens, it was just a pleasure to watch.

I could go on and on about this film. I have no idea why this has not been nominated for more Academy Awards. Seriously. Best Film, Best Director, Best Screen Play, possibly even some best actor nominations. But would the Academy ever nominate Will Ferrell? Or a Will Ferrell film?

I want to see this film again.

Jim