Stranger than Fiction (2006)
Moderate themes,Infrequnet moderate coarse language
Karen Effiel is an author writing her latest novel about an isolated man named Harold Crick. What she doesn't know is that her fictionalized character is real. The real Harold Crick is an IRS agent who has lived a dull existence and one day begins to hear Karen's voice as she narrates what she puts on paper to what Harold has and is doing. Because of this Harold enlists the help of a literary professor to find out what is happening and ends up changing things about his life including beginning a relationship with his IRS client, a government-hating bakery owner named Ana Pascal. Harold, however, finds trouble when he hears that Karen plans to kill him.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 113mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
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Member Reviews (160)
160 Member
Reviews
mlv
says
Delightful. Not a Will Ferrell comedy fan, so it was a nice surprise to see him in a sensitive, caring role. Loved the story.
Purplesue
says
Something very different for Will Ferrell for a change. Not a fan of his, as for me I find his movies quite stuped, but enjoyed him in this one. A lot of stars, but for once they didn't detract from the unique storyline. Loved it. A 3 1/2* from me.
D.M.
says
Fabulous film, a visual treat, entertaining, funny and poignant at the same time and brilliantly cast. The sharp edginess that is a great part of the first half of the film relaxes as the life of Harold Crick takes on more ease. A very clever film that is slightly too long but one that cinephiles will be sure to appreciate.
hb_douglas
says
Good performances make this work better than I expected.
Ruthy
says
Fantastic film. Totally unexpected and charming and riveting. Both my husband and I totally enjoyed it. I think I many only have picked it because Will Farrell was in it.....but it is so not a typical Will Farrell film and I think it was all the better for it. Definately worth watching.
McLovin
says
5* until the last ten minutes. Great idea for a story, but what a stupid ending!
Anita
says
Thought this movie was a bit slow at first, but then l found l couldnt stop watching it, and ended up really enjoying it.
Michael Brindley
says
The premise never really makes sense, but if you don't buy the premise, you never really buy the movie. A surprisingly restrained performance from Will Ferrell.
angela carroll
says
I didn't enjoy this movie at all.I foound it slow and each scene rather boringly drawn out.Have since heard a reviewer praise it to high heaven but my friend and I just survuved it to see what would happen. Emmma Thompson looked as if she was constipated, or rather, asked to look as if she were. Hoffman similarlyset his face to express as little as possible.
Jeff W
says
Very little comedy, but an interesting story.
Sam
says
very nice movie, really liked it alot
Jodie B.
says
Now this was an interesting one. I thought Will Ferrell was great in it. Not at all like the trash he puts out now. Worth a watch - don't judge it just because Will Ferrell is in it.
Megan B.
says
Totally fell in love with the movie! Admittedly a dedicated Emma Thompson fan, I found her to be at her quirky best, which suited an equally quirky story!
Cynthia B.
says
Had potential at the beginning to be a somewhat decent film - but it really dragged out too long. Farrell is a quasi serious role? What a waste of his true talent. Not worth the effort of watching.
Jacquie
says
Must be a chick flick. All the men in my family were very bored but the women thought it was OK.
Melysa
says
Not like his (Ferrel) usual stuff, expected it to be a lot funnier. Was a little disappointed.
Meegan A.
says
Brilliant film. Really unusual style. Great cast.
Worth watching.
Rob
says
love this movie, very different but awesome
Patsy
says
This was a very unusual but facinating, slow but very watchable. Emma Thompson's voice is a great compliment to the movie - makes you want to watch more.
Kathryn
says
Will Farrell was great in this film. It was good to see him do something different. This is apparently a Drama/Comedy. However, I think it is more drama than comedy and if Will Farrell fans watch this expecting the comedic side of him they might get disappointed. But I really enjoyed the movie and it's concept. I didn't expect it to end the way it did either.
Tracey
says
a good movie happy ending
Rhonda P.
says
After all the hype I've read about this movie, I was seriously disappointed.
Judith
says
This was a most intriguing film, strange but interesting viewing.
Rod S.
says
A real surprise package! Will Ferrell is impressive going for pathos and drama - rather than gross-out comedy. Maggie Gyllenhaal (not one of faves) is great in this and when you add Emma Thomson and Dustin Hoffmann into the mix it only gets better.
While the film may owe something to Niebla or even Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions in the author meeting their 'fictional' creation - this really is warm and entertaining movie with some great subtlety. Far superior to the intellectual exercises like Adaptation or Being John Malkovich.
gol
says
If I had not read the reviews we would have turned this off in the first 10 minutes. BUT bear with it , certainly a different unusual plot. The quality cast carries it off, to the extent we enjoyed it. Reoommended if you want something a little off beat.
Robyn E.
says
Weird. Takes a while to get involved in the plot, but you want to see the ending. Worth a look but be patient.
Katrina
says
A bit slow, a bit boring, a bit weird, a bit cute, a bit interesting - a bit of lots of things but not a lot good. Certainly wouldn't give it a second viewing but it still had enough of something to make me watch the whole movie.
Jessica
says
Just great.
You're hooked at the start, you decide to stay around at the middle (even when you start to get a little bit bored) and then it's total pay off at the end.
It did start to get fairly average in the middle but the ending makes it completely worth it.
I didn't realise, when booking this movie, that it had such a noteworthy cast. Every single cast member has talent and that type of artistic ideal that leads them to this sort of movie.
I won't rate it 5/5 because i did start to mentally ask them to get me interested again after the first half an hour. But shortly after that I was hooked again and stayed until the end. I don't want to give anything away for the ending (and I always guess the ending correctly!!!, and technically I did this time around too) but its worthy just becuase it makes you think outside the character and outside the author to how or what's the way you may have made this story happen. And why you made that choice.
Shannon
says
Strange, weird and unusual...i loved it
Robert G.
says
Certainly different - strange movie that nearly got the flick in the first ten minutes - persevered to the end. Not my cup of tea!
Wayne
says
Nice to see something a little different. Not a comedy, not even black, but an interesting concept handled in a level headed way to make it as believable as possible. The first 30 minutes held a bit of promise that this was going to be something very special but it's just a little too slow. Nevertheless, if you're in the mood to flop on the couch and accept the slower pace, it's worth watching for it's concept.
Jessica B.
says
I love the characters in the movie. I love how much they learn about themselves, and each other. This movie is clever and has depth, without being overly dense. A good "in between" comedy and arthouse.
Jo-Anne
says
An interestign premise.Will ferrell plays this semi - dramtic role perfectly of the guy caught up in something he can't believe is happening. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Esther
says
great movie - tragedy and comedy in one hit! genius.
Bronwyn R.
says
A totally charming, delightful, intriguing and also very touching story. Also a very clever storyline by Zach Helm. Wonderful acting by Will Ferrell, Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. Was totally surprised and charmed by Will Ferrell's performance of a shy introverted nerd who gradually morphs into a very likeable person. Make sure you watch the two 'Book Channel interviews' in the DVD extras - they are hilarious!
Janis F.
says
Sorry not my type of movie. turned off 30 mns into film.
couldn't see anything funny or make sense of it.
Jane G.
says
WOW, Will Ferrell can actually act, LOL! Emma Thompson, as usual, was brilliant, as was the formidable Dustin Hoffman. Definitely not your usual Will Ferrell movie, but totally enjoyable and uplifting.
Sure, as with most Hollywood flicks, this was copied from a European film (but with a different ending) so the story line and even the script was impressive.
Recommended viewing.
Jordan G.
says
I'm not usually a big Colin F fan but I really enjoyed watching him in this film.
The film was different than what I expected....it was a more meaningful comedy and had a very creative storyline.
Worth watching.
Krystie W.
says
Will Ferrell always great and credit to a TOP cast! Oddball and a very interesting storyline...sweet and funny!
Sarah M.
says
Quirky and clever, this is one of my favourites. I say don't bother renting--buy it!
Saskia P.
says
Not at all what I expected but I really really enjoyed it - actually made me cry in one part! I thought it was very well acted and was different to anything I have seen before....
Evelyn L.
says
Terrific, very clever the way it was written, would watch it again
Amanda F.
says
I couldn't find anything wrong with this film. Not like other movies that Will Ferrell has done (i.e. no crude humor). It kept me interested the whole way through.
Nic
says
Definately not what I was expecting, but a great flick none the less!
Entertaining, warm, dramatic. All the actors do admirably with their parts.
All in all a "nice" movie. (too few of them around these days)
Penny T.
says
Vry amusing-nice to see Colin Farrell can actually acttho the furrowed brow comes in for a workout. Great cast and very intriguing plot.
most enjoyable
Star Adrael
says
I don't know why this didnt score bigger at the box office... it's a quiky and clever romantic comedy with a fantastic cast. Emma Thompson is brilliant, Dustin Hoffman shines as usual, Queen Latifa is always great, & Will Farrel in this semi serious roll is perfect!
Chris D.
says
As far as I am concerned the guy playing the lead is a good reason not to watch any film he is in, but this was actually very cool. A more diverse cast would be hard to imagine, but they all (well, except Dustin Hoffman, who isn't even credited on this page) do excellent work. I regularly have to pause films to pursue other matters, but this is the first time I have actually been excited to get back to find out where the story was going.
Nicole P.
says
Will Ferrell at his best.
Amour S.
says
He is a quirky guy, and this was a good laugh. Watch this if you are a fan of Will Farell.
Donna P.
says
I really enjoyed this movie. It was quite weird how the writer made the man her main character and it became true. It was a different perspective of what could happen. A great movie.
Lauren Y.
says
Will Ferrell is awesome in this movie. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson also provide great performances.
Elana B.
says
I loved this movie. It's based on a simple premise. If someone wants to write, they should see this movie.
Sara R.
says
This was a fantastic movie about wanting to live, and finding out what it means to live for the day. A good story backed up by good acting. Definitely worth seeing.
It was also a very different role for Will Ferrel, not the silly comedy that he normally tackles. It was good to see him playing this serious role so well.
Carol M.
says
If you liked Being John Malkovich then you'll probably like this. Clever, quirky and fun. As ever Emma Thomson is wonderful
Alan E.
says
Excellent film with a poignant story, ie: what do you do when it is already typed that you are going to die? The author, played by Emma Thompson, is her best role yet! Would recommend this movie definitely even though it seems a lot has been lifted from a foreign book - the adaptation was very well done. Loved it.
Nigel W.
says
Interesting idea which loses to a large extent what originality it might have had because of its Hollywood treatment. Will Ferrell is wide eyed and wooden as usual.
Rudolf E.
says
It is worth watching for the great performances of Emma Thompson and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Will Ferrell does his usual job of portraying a loser who turns into a "better" person. The on screen GUI during the movie is quite interesting and unique. A hidden gem is the restrained performance of Queen Latifah.
Therese D.
says
The strangest movie I have seen.
John L.
says
love it, love it, love it..
brilliant and a must-watched movie..
Judith B.
says
Okto F.
says
Excellent - Great performance from Will and Maggie
Jessica R.
says
Wonderful film! Quirky, beautiful and funny. One of my favourites, especially with the sensational soundtrack. GO SPOON!
Maureen S.
says
Found it a bit strange and slow, but still watched it to the end
Jen M.
says
Astrid K.
says
Exellent. I really enjoyed it because it was clever and unusual.
Jodie N.
says
Nicky P.
says
I love Maggie Gyllenhall in this. I couldn't get through the whole movie. Found it quite boring.
Brad M.
says
I love this quirky, funny movie. Will Ferrell's best since The Anchorman.
Claudia B.
says
slow but good concept. maggie's got a cute body but her storyline is kinda unbelievable!
Edna A.
says
Great storyline something quite different realy enjoyed it
John S.
says
Should be boring as hell, but the underlying humour and the leading cast keep things sweeping along. Surprisingly enjoyable!
Johanna W.
says
fabulous!
Adam C.
says
A great mix of comedy and drama, probably the best Wil Ferrell movie I've seen. Great plot, good ensemble cast and very enjoyable all round.
Sarah M.
says
I dozed off for a short time and didn't bother rewinding.
Pam F.
says
Strange movie, especially to start with, but improved as the movie went on. I quite liked it and the moral of the story,
change your behaviour -change your life.
different - but good!!
Belinda P.
says
Ordinarily I hate Will Ferrell so I watched this on recommendation of a friend who also hates him. He was great! The whole movie was well worth watching.This was in the vein of The Truman Show, which I also found very enjoyable.
Wendy S.
says
Well, what a different role for Will Ferrell! A real "Thinking" movie. Doesn't grab you at first but if you give it time you get into it.Very clever!
John C.
says
Easy to follow story, funny and brilliant.
Rachel S.
says
This is a fabulous movie. Great cast, great story that keeps your intrigue until the very end. Well worth watching and not your typical Will Ferrell movie!
Julie S.
says
Clever, great acting by all involved and a wonderful script. It's not often you see a movie where you don't think 'this is like that other movie...', but this is one that is hard to compare. I enjoyed it very much.
Ramona H.
says
A very cleverly woven story with it's fair share of humour to make one think about life, it's uncertainty, and how it can affect the choices we make.
Jim B.
says
excellent concept and execution. Will Farrell is surprisingly good in this restrained role
William Y.
says
Nadyne B.
says
Alfred S.
says
Silly pointless plot and I disliked all the characters. I stopped the DVD after about half an hour.
Lora W.
says
This was definetly strange and alittle slow.
Barbara N.
says
Excellent. Unusual story line. Very good acting, especially from Will Farrell. Good to see him in a serious roll.
Kevin D.
says
At last Will Ferrell in a film that doesn't insult one's intelligence. Perhaps being supported by actors and actresses of the calibre of Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson helped enormously.
Vicki A.
says
bit slow at first, then kind of got into it - a little odd though... bit cryptic
Samadhi T.
says
it was not as funny as i expected, but i enjoyed!!!
Peter L.
says
Heather D.
says
Rob A.
says
Thought-provoking insight into the life of a fictional writer's meticulous character, who becomes more realistic than she would have ever imagined. Funny tale of how one man can affect many peoples' destinies, even his own.
Trevor T.
says
Trevor T.
says
Sandra B.
says
dont normally like will ferrell but he is very good in this. really good movie well worth a look
Nadyne B.
says
Ben H.
says
Steve
says
Very entertaining. Watch it.
Selvi D.
says
I thought it was a great movie!
Selvi D.
says
I thought it was a great movie!
Ruth C.
says
Tabitha W.
says
light but clever. simple but subtle. perfect dvd material.
Maria J.
says
Interesting, thought provoking movie.
Vanessa C.
says
really enjoyed this, quirky but fun film.
Betsy F.
says
Clever storyline, great acting, especially Will Ferrell in a serious role for a change, one of those films you keep thinking about once you've seen it.
Frederick D.
says
Interesting twist
Richard A.
says
stimpy
says
I just didn't get this movie at all.
Kylie W.
says
Really enjoyed it, not so much comedy but did enjoy it
Erin B.
says
Sharon K.
says
Funny, Sweet, touching, quirky. I loved it!
Fiona M.
says
I didnt like this movie at all. Infact I ended up turning it off after about 1/2 hour. That was about 20 min AFTER I was going to turn it off, I thought I would give it a chance to come good. It didnt. :(
lakme
says
We really enjoyed this movie even though we couldn';t figure out if it was a comedy or a drama. A bit like The Truman Show in many ways. Emma Thompson was a standout who plays these weird, wild woman roles so well and Dustin Hoffman was a crack up. A strange story that takes a bit to get going but which is worth watching.
Sean D.
says
Good twist at the end but was really slow in parts
Chris C.
says
Excelent film, very funny
Nicole W.
says
A great comedy from a different angle with witty & strong performance by Cate Blanchett. The storyline is unique and you feel drawn to her character through-out the unfolding of the tale, and the ending may have resorted to a cliche, but the journey talking you there more than makes up for it. Will Ferrel agains fails to perform in this role and Maggie Gyllenhall's performance is lack-lustre against her wooden co-star.
Jodi M.
says
Harry M.
says
I enjoyed this but it is an oddity. Half big Hollywood production and half arthouse flick. The characters are kind of 2D and they are all archetypes. It's very knowing and post modern which could have been really annoying but it somehow manages to narrowly avoid that although it is still a bit pretentious. That said it is a great idea and they do it well. The narrative is really good and they keep you going through the whole movie and I did care about the fate of the central character. Worth watching I would say.
Michael W.
says
Very clever scripting and good acting.
Vicki S.
says
A great movie, Ferrel is great in a straight role. A very good story, the start is a bit slow but worth persisting.
Suzy B.
says
Quirky and worth watching if you love Emma Thompson
Michele B.
says
Great movie with intriguing script and inspiring ending. You go to bed happy after a very satisfying viewing.
Barbara S.
says
Annette W.
says
Jonathan K.
says
Incite into literary story telling. Smart and funny.
Deborah H.
says
Really wonderful movie with good plot twists.
Gary H.
says
A hotch-potch of unoriginal ideas and a wooden performance from Ferrell bring down what is an otherwise well enough done little ditty. Hoffman and Thompson are excellent and Gyllenhall is serviceable as the love interest, however, the many plot devices and plot holes just become tiring in the end.
Lilli
says
Sue D.
says
we loved this movie, it's funny and real and has plenty going on to keep the viewer interested. Great performances and beautiful production too!
Highly recommended.
Catherine R.
says
Kerry M.
says
Nicole F.
says
I felt it got off to a weak start, but when Harold Crick began to reinvent himself and met up with the author it got a lot more interesting. I do feel the ending was a little cliched, but enhanced the message the movie was trying to make.
Dawn P.
says
Willemina G.
says
Although funny in places was very disjointed.
Andrew H.
says
I think this was Will Ferrell's "Truman Show". A comic actor putting in a poignant and believable performance in a left-of-centre, unique film.
Max R.
says
3 stars.
An interesting story with a twist that keeps you watching throughout. An excellent cast carried the film along with the quirky plot line. You'll enjoy this film
Michael C.
says
great story, worth the effort
Lorelle I.
says
Albert J.
says
Very funny.Ending a dissapointment
Michael O.
says
Paul C.
says
Simply Excellent. Different, unusual, funny and heartfelt movie. best of the year for me....
Virginia O.
says
The Smiths
says
Such an original story. Well-written, great acting. We found it refreshingly unique, intriguing, and easy-to-watch.
Amanda K.
says
What a beautiful script! This movie made me laugh, cry, worry...I loved it...what a unique film!
says
Maria Z.
says
Ralph
says
Rhonda F.
says
Yvonne S.
says
Slow to start but picks up. Original idea.
Clare B.
says
This is one of the best things I've seen in a long time, why didn't it do better at the box office? Millions of famous actors, and it is very, very funny.
Trent H.
says
Brilliant Comedy from start to finish. More amazing as I am not a fan of Will Farrel's previous work.
It takes a crazy idea and promotes it with enough strength that you're as engrossed as you are hurting from laughter.
Special mention has to go to Maggie Gyllenhaal, Queen Latifah and Dustin Hoffman for their supporting roles.
Michael G.
says
I had some reservations about this but decided that although I struggled with the concept of the film I did see the writers dilemna.Excellent actors doing great work.
Sandra N.
says
John O.
says
Great beginning, good performances, comes together at the end, but not as good as Eternal Sunshine.
Jennifer L.
says
Darrell M.
says
Farrell does a top job in this one and Maggie Gyllenhaal is simply hot. Great story with an some what original idea, but dont give writter Zach Helm too much credit. The film borrows heavily from Niebla by Miguel de Unamuno, a Spanish novel about a character who becomes aware he is being narrated by a writer and goes to visit him. (However, in Unamuno's story, the main character commits suicide.) If The Departed can win an Oscar for screen play i can't see why this guy can't get some credit. It seems that english speaking films get the credit when they plagarise from foreign language films.
Nicholas F.
says
Worth watching for great role by Emma Thompson. Not worth watching because of wooden Will Ferrell. If you have nothing else to do, worth a look.
Anthony B.
says
This is not the mainstream comedy you would expect from Ferrel but instead a clever, emotional film with an inspiring message. Arguably one of ferrels finest moments on film.
Annet
says
We both really loved this movie - very intriguing storyline and not boring at all as some reviews have stated. Definitely a great surprise.