A Smart, Charming, and Touching Film with a surprisingly Literary Experience

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2008)

First of all, don't go expecting a laugh-out-loud comedy of the typical Will Ferrell fashion. If you see this film with an open and perceptive mind, you will get to enjoy incredibly clever script and some terrific performances by all involved. Will is at his best here, as he plays Harold Crick with such nuanced sincerity it really makes the film. Without creating a complex and ultimately genuine character, the film would have not succeeded, and Ferrell deserves much recognition for that. In fact, not a single ounce of Ferrell's trademark shtick ever appears in this film, and it's surprising. And refreshing.
Zach Helm, the writer, also needs to be commended for crafting a screenplay that gives viewers the experience of reading a novel, and yet also somehow manages to be self-aware. There are loads of little details in the film that it will probably take multiple viewings to appreciate them all. Of course, the director expertly ties it all together and is able to even add a great visual style with creative angles and effects to add another layer to an already solid film. It's just a shame that the DVD transfer is terribly sub-par.