Stranger Than Fiction: Apples To Apple Sauce

Rating: 6/10 (10 November 2006)

Harold Crick's life is so orderly that whatever he does has white over-lays like blue prints that only the audience and he can see. He also says he hears a woman's voice telling him what to do with his life! What is so strange about a man hearing voices? What is most peculiar is having a Timex wrist watch that thinks for itself and it's owner! Unfortunately the wrist watch never gets enough personality to gain status as a main character. Rene' Magritte's paintings of the black suited men with Granny Smith Apples for faces and Black Derby hats would fit well as the character portrayed by Will Farrrell. Mr. Farrell is seen many times walking the streets of the 'Windy City' holding a large Granny Smith Apple between his teeth and accomplishing little else. Throughout the film the reference between Harold Crick and the apple becomes very apparent. The voice in his head are the written words of the novelist Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson) who is trying to slay her main character, Mr. Crick, but at the moment has an unfortunate case of writer's block. Toward the close of the film Ms. Eiffel who is a life observer instead of using a muse, watches a stray Granny Smith Apple roll off a fruit display onto the street and this is the vision for the end of Harold Crick. Ms. Eiffel completes her novel but has a change of heart because Harold has had a total life transmogrification. This film like a good Granny Smith Apple lacks the sharp snap like sound when you bite into said fruit instead all you get is the squish of apple sauce.