REVIEW: STRANGER THAN FICTION

What if you woke up one day and suddenly heard the sound of a voice in your head? What if this voice started telling you the story of your very life as you lived it, acting as your own personal narrator? What if this very same voice which seemed to know every detail of your boring and inanimate life told you that you were going to die at the stories end? How would you react?

This is the very thing that happens to Harold Crick, an IRS agent played by Will Farrell who lives every moment of his life by the ticking of his wrist watch in STRANGER THAN FICTION. Those expecting a typical Will Farrell comedy (i.e. Taladega Nights, Old School, etc...) will be surprised to find this as anything but a typical Farrell movie. In fact, this is Farrell in uncharted territories, playing a role that straddles the lines of both comedy and tragedy. Not unlike Jim Carey's memorable and career altering performance in THE TRUMAN SHOW, which finally showcased his ability to play roles outside his comic barriers. The beautiful part about this film, besides an all-star cast including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Queen Latifah, Emma Thompson, and Dustin Hoffman, who all shine in with a sense of innocence yet forbearance, is it's ability to integrate so many different themes. Themes about fate, sacrifice, friendship, love, and most importantly providence.

Harold Crick may be the world's most boring person, but the moment he realizes that he is part of something greater, something outside of his control, it is then that he finds himself, and his life starts to come alive. This is a film about cherishing every moment that you have, about finding fulfillment in the smallest of things, and realizing that sometimes it takes facing death to bring out the greatest qualities in each of us.

GRADE: A-

RECOMMENDED: Absolutely