Living through your life's narration

Rating: 8/10 (14 January 2007)

Will Farrell plays it straight (no goofy stuff) as a guy who live a normal, boring, prescribed life and has a knack for numbers. He is set in a numbers routine: teeth-brushes, walk to the bus, and times he goes to bed and wakes up, among other things. As an IRS agent, his way with numbers has given him job security. When he begins to notice a voice in his head narrating his every move and thought, then his life starts to change.
The change also involves his attraction to a "hippie baker" he is in the process of auditing. They seem to be complete opposites, yet he knows from the moment he meets her that he "wants her". One of the better aspects of this film is the chemistry between Ferrell and Maggie Gyllenhall, and it may not be too long when they are paired again for a romantic comedy. She was a bright spot in the movie.
StF is not a comedy, but rather a drama with some comedy and romance thrown in. It's a little different than the typical Hollywood fare, which appeals to me, and the movie challenges you to think sometimes, which is more than just amusement. I can also see some theology/faith issues people can use from the movie. Besides the "what am I here for and is my life worth anything" question, you also have the question of how you get direction in life.
Does God speak to you? Is your life script already written and you're just working through the narration? I have not watched any Ferrell films besides "Elf", but if he can continue getting work like this he could have a long and strong career. He seems to slip into dramatic roles much better than his current contemporaries (Sandler, Carrey), but time will tell if he can keep the momentum.