Certainly Strange, Not Always Stimulating,

Rating: 8/10 (17 January 2018)

Stranger Than Fiction is a great movie with a well developed plot and a terrific cast that balance comedy and drama nicely. It is a very off the cuff film that is unlike any other, as we follow a man gradually discovering that he is actually a character in a novel and his creator is struggling to conclude his journey. It reminded me of the Looney Tunes cartoon Duck Amuck, as Harold Crick interacts and struggles to discover the force that is Karen, and we get taken in to a topsy turvy world that will leave us both entertained and confused.
It did bother me that the film left me with more questions than answers, there are a lot of head scratching moments that leave me quite baffled, such as Harold being able to visit Karen's office, it is never made entirely clear how this world actually works. As well as that, the mix of comedy and drama makes the film a little underwhelming, as it is never too funny, nor ever too dramatic, since it is trying to do two things, it never does either very effectively.
The cast is all around tremendous, Will Ferrell delivers a role completely unlike any of his previous work, playing a character that is funny, but not in his typical eccentric way, and his characterisation in the part is immensely enjoyable. He is also joined by the marvellous Emma Thompson, who plays a very complicated role, Maggie Gyllenhaal, who has great, pure chemistry with Ferrell, and Dustin Hoffman, who brings in subtlety and laughter.
Entertaining while it lasts. Stranger Than Fiction is not as incredibly unique as it may think it is, but it is great fun that I would recommend to anybody looking for a good comedy drama.

Average man Harold Crick learns that he may soon meet his destiny when he begins hearing a woman narrate his life.

Best Performance: Will Ferrell