Movie: Stranger Than Fiction
Have you seen this lovely movie? I adored it. As a matter of fact, John and I liked it so much that we watched it two nights in a row.
First, it is neither comedy or drama. I guess the word “dramedy” would best describe it. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll simply say that a thoroughly neurotic novelist Karen Eiffel (played brilliantly by Emma Thompson) creates a character, Harold Crick, who actually exists. As Harold lives his boring life as an IRS auditor, he begins to hear Karen’s narration of his every move. He seeks the help of a literature professor played by Dustin Hoffman as he tries to find out who is telling his story. During this search, his life becomes rich with meaning, and he falls in love (the least credible part of the movie, but who cares?) with adorable Maggie Gyllenhaal. His search for the novelist grows more desperate as Karen nears the end of her tale.
I was NOT a Will Ferrell fan before this movie. If you are a fan of his humor, you might want to skip this film, because the reviews I’ve seen from people who love Ferrell’s comedies were generally negative. They found Stranger Than Fiction boring. But Ferrell plays Harold Crick with understated compassion and makes him a sympathetic and believable character. He moved me to tears at one point.
The screenplay is amazing! The underlying themes are both simple and profound:
- live in the moment
- sacrifice your own needs for those of another
- hold on to your integrity
- writing a novel is harder than you think (I added that last one 🙂 )
The ending will leave you happy, like the endings of my books. Four and a half lighthouses. 
Can you believe I’ve never seen a Will Ferrell movie? This sounds like a good 1 so I’ll watch for it on the satellite. Diane, ‘writing a novel is harder than you think’ I truly believe. I really don’t know how you do it but it’s a gift. That said, coming up with a title must be harder than we think too.
>>That said, coming up with a title must be harder than we think too.
I loved this movie! I must tell you I thought of you and Adriana Trigiani while I watched because I’ve “heard” both of you talk about the writing process and involvement with the characters.
I ordered a hardcover BRASS RING from an amazon seller. I had it already in softcover but I’ve found I don’t enjoy the small print or page colors in softcover books. I had REFLECTION ordered but the seller thought better of it and cancelled 🙂
Hi Lorene, have missed you! I agree, I prefer hardcover to softbound.
Hey Margo! I’ve been lurking around 🙂 I am on the computer entirely too much! I’m trying to learn something about photography and the workings of a new camera. Me thinks I am in over my head:)
Good luck Lorene. I know I’M over my head when it comes to photography.