ktincu Blog

Don 't get caught up in "believability" issues.

Under discussion:
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Under discussion:

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Stranger Than Fiction is, indeed, that, but I really enjoyed it. Off the top of my head, I'd say it's very much in the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Punch Drunk Love camps, so if those movies bugged you, this might not be your cup of tea. (And the reverse is true, too.)

Just to help get your expectations in order, here's some of what you should and shouldn't expect from the film:

DO expect great performances by Dustin Hoffman, Will Ferrel, Emma Thompson, and Maggie Gyllenhaal (one of my favorite actresses), but DON'T expect to feel endeared by the Emma Thompson character (she's beyond neurotic), or to laugh your pants off at Will Ferrel the way you're accustomed to.

DO expect lots of very charming quirkiness, especially in the details surrounding the Dustin Hoffman character (these details have stuck with me and reemerged since I saw the film two days ago), but DON'T expect to wholeheartedly embrace all the quirkiness packed into this film. (I'm a big fan of quirky, and some of it in this film wasn't quite...well, something enough. I can't decide if it wasn't quite raw enough or not quite refined enough.)

DO expect fantastical occurrences--the whole premise of the film is based on them, so get out of the critical "this would never happen" mindset. But you should also expect to be slightly annoyed by some of the things in the film that could actually happen, but probably wouldn't. (Even thought I really wanted the love interest to materialize, and I wanted a happy ending, I really had a hard time believing either one. Hope I'm not giving too much away.)

So, I guess my final thoughts are that you should go see the movie if you're looking for a light and entertaining yet not mind-numbing trip to the theaters. I thought it was well worth our time and money. Just don't get too psyched up for the movie experience of the year. If you don't see it in the theaters, most definitely rent it.

posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 12:23 PM by ktincu

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livingdeadJoe
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2007 1:18 AM

Great review, I enjoyed the read. Sorry for stealing your word, although I did quote it, it's my word of the week. Although I disagree with you on some points, still, you are convincing.

wonga
Posted Tuesday, December 12, 2006 5:58 PM

i agree...i liked this a lot. the trailer made it seem like more of a comedy and i imagine some people will be disappointed. i loved at the end where i guess she was reading the ending of the book.

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