A Fair Effort

Rating: 5/10 (29 August 2007)

Stranger Than Fiction is a fair attempt. The premise is very appealing but ultimately one gets the sense that it is a gimmick. One gets the sense that the book Emma Thompson is writing is superior to the movie we are watching. If so, then why not make a movie on that?! And why not kill Will Ferell if that is ultimately the path to greatness. The film would rather hang in its own cleverness than dare step into a more profound terrain. It is conscious of what it is trying to say and thus reduces itself from being true art. It over-simplifies everything by imposing its sentimental and simplistic message and spelling out its themes. It doesn't simply let things be as they are. The world is far more complex and fascinating than to be reduced to this paint-by-numbers storytelling. And given its literary awareness, that is hypocritical.
Emma Thompson is bad. Her acting seems affected and is somewhat irritating. And when she meets Will Ferrel in person, she acts so theatrically that it is hard to believe. Added to this, this event doesn't follow the logic of the film. How is any of this possible? And when I say possible, of course I don't mean the whole premise, because any premise is valid - they simply must remain consistent to their own machinations - and this one doesn't. The direction is uninspired. The shots are uninteresting and obvious. The attempt to create a surreal world through white clinical sets and baron spaces is not consistent or fully explored through mood.
Maggie Gyllenhaal turns in a fine performance although I find her attraction to Will Ferrel a little difficult to buy. What is it that she suddenly finds attractive in him? Also, the theme of a person not living their life because they are such an exaggerated "by the clock" rigidly organised person is such a clichéd example of a person not living. In order to truly live, one does need structure and discipline, so these are not the things one must give up in order to be free. A simplistic notion.
Finally, Will Ferrell himself just isn't a good actor. He is always "acting". His persona never comes through by allowing himself to "be". Although he has toned down his theatrics, what is left is a blandness that, yes, suits the "character" but also renders the character rather one-dimensional.
Stranger Than Fiction undoubtedly draws its parallels or influences to the work of Charlie Kauffman, particularly Adaptation. But without the depth and flair of Spike Jonze or Michel Gondry, we are left with a paper-thin, uninspired lackluster experience that not even the always terrific Dustin Hoffman can redeem. 5.5 out of 10.