Wonderful and original film

Rating: 8/10 (11 November 2006)

***1/2 out of **** stars
This is a wonderfully constructed film where it is perfectly okay to discard the question of how such a fantasy can transpire. It's pleasant to see Will Farrell as a low-key melancholic rather than his mundane alter-ego. Usually when a movie tries to juggle between a tragedy or a comedy, it fails...this one doesn't. It was obviously intended to entertain us on many levels and its poignancy, especially at its end, makes it heartfelt. Maggie Gyllenhaal is delightful as the free-spirited and earthy love interest and Dustin Hoffman's vast experience shines through as a likable yet vile literary guru. It's always refreshing to see a film and think of a particular word that can sometimes be its biggest compliment: original!