Mediocre attempt at intellectual comedy

Rating: 5/10 (6 February 2007)

Cast: Will Ferrell; Dustin Hoffman; Maggie Gyllenhaal; Emma Thompson and Queen Latifah Writer and character come together like never before Acclaimed fiction writer Kay Eiffel is busy constructing her latest literary installment. It's not intended to be a Pulitzer winning effort, but it is an interesting exploration into mediocrity and the shackles of conformity.
When Eiffel suffers the debilitating effects of writer's block, she enlists the help of an assistant, Queen Latifah to give impetus to a story stuck in the doldrums. Of great concern to Eiffel is how to end the lead character's life and thus conclude the story.
The real twist in the story is the juxtaposition of fiction and reality. When Harold Crick (Ferrell), a mundane IRS agent and the protagonist of Eiffel's story, begins hearing voices, he becomes alarmed.
After a series of hilarious meetings with a literature professor portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, Harold believes that he is the victim of an author's creation. Together they slowly begin to unravel Crick's story, voices and all.
A sudden love interest begins to stir Harold Crick and it is this caterpillar cum butterfly princess that ultimately steals the show. Harold realizes that his imminent fictional and physical death can only be undone by meeting with the author Kay Eiffel.
The stimulating script is masterfully written; the characters are exceptional and the essence of it is poignant.
Stranger than fiction is best described as an intellectually stimulating insight into the complexity of love, life, humor and mediocrity.