Well executed comedy-drama...

Rating: 8/10 (17 October 2008)

1st watched 10/14/2008 - 8 out of 10(Dir-Marc Forster): Well executed comedy-drama about a man who's life is really just a character in a book that is currently being written. Will Farrell brilliantly underplays the main character as he goes thru his mundane life as an IRS agent, but then suddenly starts hearing a voice narrating his every move. He first goes to a shrink that thinks he's schizophrenic and suggests pills but then suggests visiting a literary teacher played by Dustin Hoffman. The teacher tries to help him figure out what kind of story he's involved in. Hoffman plays the role brilliantly like most of the cast. The only downspot in the casting is Queen Latifah as the novelist's assistant. She doesn't do well underplaying, and just doesn't bring much to her role. Emma Thompson is wonderful as the voice in Will's head who eventually meets up with the character. The music and pacing is very well done and the movie even makes you think as well as being comedic. A storyline like this is bound to have a few flaws, but overall the execution makes up for it and the experience of viewing the movie was fun and thought-provoking with even a little romance added in to spice things up. I am definitely looking forward to this director's next movie and it also showed the acting ability of Will Ferrell when given good material.