Little Did He Know

Rating: 8/10 (16 September 2007)

For twelve years, the methodic IRF agent Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) has had a routine lonely life guided by his wristwatch. However, one day he hears the narration of his life in off, telling that he is going to die pretty soon. Meanwhile, he audits Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the owner of a bakery that is in debt with the IRF, and falls in love for her. Harold is advised by Professor Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) to change his monotonous lifestyle while he tries to find Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson), the author of the story of his life, who is researching means of killing the character, and convince her to change the ending of the story.
The surrealist "Stranger than Fiction" has one of the most refreshing screenplays I have ever seen, and it certainly is the best performance of Will Ferrell. The quest for life of Harold Crick is fantastic, blending a great humor, wonderful lines, literature and a dramatic situation supported by a magnificent music score. The connection of Harold Crick with his wristwatch recalled me a tale of Julio Cortázar's "Historias de Cronopios y de Fama", where the author recalls the day that he was given as a gift to his wristwatch. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Mais Estranho Que a Ficção" ("Stranger Than Fiction")