A Brilliant Comedy-Drama with a Great Leading Performance and Strong Screenplay

Rating: 9/10 (28 March 2011)

Everyone knows Will Ferrell for his funny, goofball laugh out loud comedy roles like Elf, Blades of Glory, and Talladega Nights. However, he has a different kind of comedy he has proved he can do with Stranger Than Fiction.
Stranger Than Fiction stars Ferrell as Harold Crick, a lonely IRS Agent whose life is just boring. For the past twelve years, he has been living the same life doing the same routine of waking up, brushing his teeth, riding the bus to work, and so on. His life is changed when he starts hearing a voice narrating what he is doing as he is doing it, such as counting brush strokes. Ferrell is just an absolute wonder in this role. He shows many emotions throughout the film and proves that he can do more than be the goofball that he usually is.
As he continues to hear this voice, he finds new meanings to his life. One of the bigger changes occurs when he and another co-worker receive new audits. One of the ones Harold takes on is a local baker named Anna played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal is also great at showing a range of emotions as she starts showing anger and hostility toward Harold, later revealing sweetness and love toward him.
While Harold is going through the craziness of hearing the voice, he consults the help of Professor Jules Hilbert, played by the very talented Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman is great at being laid back and acting like a friend toward Harold. At the same time, he is very knowledgeable about the literature and being able to help Harold.
Emma Thompson is also a treat as Karen Eiffel, who is writing the book that Harold is in. She is great at expressing her sarcasm and is very believable as someone who has writer's block and cannot figure out how to finish her book.
Director Marc Forster is great at mixing the performances of these actors, and does an excellent job in telling the story, making it both a comedy and a drama. Forster's work shows brilliance in blending the two, making this a great film.
What is the strongest element of Stranger Than Fiction is the writing of screenwriter Zach Helm. Helm is great at introducing Harold to the audience and making great character development on him as we get to know Harold, from our own view and from Karen's view. Helm is also great at making this script a great showcase for a character to find life again. Helm's screenplay shows many funny and serious situations that showcase a great story that is told excellently on film.