Best Film of the Year
“Stranger than Fiction” is this year’s best film so far. There have been many releases this year featuring outstanding acting and a compelling story line, but few left one feeling better about life than when they entered the theater.
“Stranger than Fiction” has heart, as well as brains. It makes one laugh and cry equally with delight. This is a great holiday film that makes one thankful for not only the good things in life, but simply thankful for life. One leaves the theater reminded to cherish the little things, the moments that are rarely recognized as moments — the off-hand caress of a lover, the rare, thoughtless act of a child or a good word from one’s boss.
“Stranger than Fiction” tells the tale of Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), an IRS agent who discovers that he is the central character in tragic novelist Kay Eiffel’s (Emma Thompson) masterpiece. Determined to avoid the deadly fate written for him, Ferrell starts living the life he’s always dreamed of.
Director Marc Forster (“Finding Neverland” 2004, “Monster’s Ball” 2001) has once again delivered a heartfelt film worthy of standing atop the Oscar podium. Writer Zach Helm has few other writing credits to his name, but he certainly hit the big one with “Stranger than Fiction.” Few scripts this year have boasted the originality, humor and honesty of this work of art. This film is certainly worthy of the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Despite the film’s unusual plot, one has no problem suspending disbelief. The characters take Harold’s preposterous situation completely in stride as if it were totally normal to find one’s self the central character of another’s work of fiction. In fact, the ease with which one accepts the plot points to the film’s other strength — the acting.
“Stranger than Fiction” is character driven, thus without outstanding performances the stellar plot would have fallen hopelessly flat. Every actor delivered an amazing performance, from the morose Harold, to the despondent tragic novelist, to the eccentric literature professor (Dustin Hoffman), to the rebellious baker Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhall) and the product driven writing assistant Penny Escher (Queen Latifah). By the end of the film one had fallen head-over-heels for each and every character.
Will Ferrell did an excellent job of playing the film’s leading man and comedic element without playing his part too heavy-handedly. The eccentric college professor was charming in his absurdities. The revolutionary baker Ana Pascal was delightful in her delicate torture of her IRS investigator, yet beautiful in her recognition of Harold’s own tragic state. And best of all was the tragic novelist, who in envisioning the best way to kill off Harold repeatedly imagines her own sorrowful demise.
Each and every character changes through the film, expanding their individual perspectives and outlook on life. Harold’s transformation is beautiful offering hope to every moviegoer, but his reversal is not the most powerful in the film. Harold’s awakening mirrors that of the writer. The recluse is able to reconnect with the world, emerging from her secluded existence to share her new outlook with the world.
Eiffel’s assistant also goes through a reversal. She learns to recognize the delightful chaos inherent in the act of creation. The baker realizes she does not have to thwart the government and land in jail to change the world. Pascal’s small acts of kindness make a big impact on the lives of those around her, such as Harold. The professor accepts Eiffel’s altered ending, recognizing the truth behind her realization.
There is not a weak element in “Stranger than Fiction,” though it is highly unlikely that it will earn the recognition it deserves. Its presentation is simple and straightforward, though it offers all the complexity a film connoisseur could desire. It does not reach for the stars, but achieves greatness without seemingly doing so. This is one film not to be missed this year and one film you will surely want to add to your DVD collection.
The one area this film may stand on the podium for is Best Original Screenplay and it is more than deserving of this Oscar for its clever, heartfelt and delightful look at life, death and everything in between.