Stranger Than Fiction

Stranger Than Fiction ***1/2

"This is the story of a man named Harold Crick, and his wristwatch. . ."

Thus begins "Stranger Than Fiction" which is one of the most original and delightful films of the year. This is Will Ferrell finally drifting off to the other side-the roles that Robin Williams and Jim Carrey eventually drifted to-the dramatic side of acting. Ferrell did sort of go into that realm earlier in the year with "Winter Passing'' but this is his time to shine. And it's also another work into the career of Marc Forster, who is slowly becoming one of the most versatile directors around-his last three films were "Finding Neverland," "Stay," and now this-three completely different types.

As I said earlier, this is the story of a man named Harold Crick, whose life is full of no more surprises. Harold's life works accordingly to the tune of his wrist watch. He spends a certain amount of time every day brushing his teeth, counting the strokes. He spends a certain amount of time tying up his tie, and has the same amount of steps to the bus stop every day, before just making the bus as it pulls away. Harold works as an IRS agent, where he is good at his work. A co-worker could walk up to him and ask him to multiple 173 by 453, and Harold will be able to tell him 78369 without any hesitation. His workplace is almost as barran and empty ask his entire life. He walks into the basement to file papers, and the walls and cabinets are simply all white right down the line. All that begins to change when Harold is brushing his teeth one morning, and begins to hear a voice-

"While others fantasized about their upcoming day, Harold just counted brush strokes. . ."

Harold is confused. He looks around and see nobody. All throughout the day, and the days that followed, Harold's entire life is being narrated by a woman's voice-accurately speaking. His feelings, his thoughts, his action. Everything. He is especially scared when the author makes it known that he has interest in Ana Pascal, the free spirit baker who he is auditing. She decided to omit paying the taxes for the percentage that goes to the government, and Harold is forced to investigate. When he is certain that nobody else could hear the voice, Harold goes to visit a literature professor, who asks Harold to access if he is in a comedy of a tragedy. On the other side, we learn that Harold is indeed a character in the new book by Kaye Effel, an author suffering from writer's block who spends her days bordered up in her home, chain smoking. A representative from the publishers come to visit Kaye and aid her with whatever needs to be done. All of Kaye's books are similar in the same aspect-all of her main character die. Always. And that is a fact that Harold is shocked by when he hears

"Little did he know that events have been put into motion that would lead to his eminent death. . ."

And now Harold has to try and figure out a way to live the rest of his life-even when everything begins to go well for him.

'Stranger Than Fiction" is successful in taking a witty premise, and turning it into a work of art. While the first half is clever and has numerous laughs, especially watching Harold react to the strange voice above him, the second half drifts into more drama, as Harold gets closer and closer to his death. He eventually decides to track down Kaye, and comes face to face with his God. It even poses many interesting questions-Is it ethical to kill off a character when you know that he is a real, but at the same time is it right to alter an artists work? In this case, Kaye is Harold's God, and because she created him, shouldn't she be allowed to kill him too? There is also much to comment on living life in general. Harold's life starts out as this world that runs according to his watch. Forster is clever with a certain visual trick during his opening narration. As Harold runs down the street, numbers form that mark off how many steps he's taken, and other things of that nature. As Harold begins to change his ways, and develop his relationship with the baker, these visuals appear less and less often. He is going towards real life again. The literature professor does not care about life-he is too wrapped up in art. He tells Harold that he must die, because the book is a masterpiece and could be one of the best books ever written.

"Stranger Than Fiction" involves the viewer. You really do get into Harold Crick's life, and how he'll solve this predicament. The last act is intense as what could be the end of Harold comes closer to closer. If it has a happy or sad ending, I'll leave that to the viewer to decide-but all I'll say is that I had some tears in my eyes by the time this was over. Will Ferrell is fantastic in this role, not speaking or doing much a lot of time by always being interesting. Emma Thompson as Kaye is also fantastic, and she has this way of diverting all attention to herself during all the scenes that she is in. Dustin Hoffman is amusing as usual, simply acting like he always does, and I guess Queen Latifah is alright, but simply not needed. I suppose she was simply there to play off of Emma Thompson, and reveal a little more about her character, but in the end the Queen doesn't really do anything.

This is one of those films that should be recognized come award season, but will always slip past the radar. It's script is fantastic, and very smart. It is easy to mess up a great premise like this one, but everything works in perfect sync. I have a feeling that it'll join "Little Miss Sunshine" as a comedy that won't win anything simply because it's a comedy. There is more to movies than period epics and biographies of famous musicians, and this is a perfect example. "Stranger Than Fiction" is a reason why I love the movies, and I can't wait to see it again.