Ferrell’s range proves Stranger Than Fiction

By Frank D'Adamo
Collegian Staff
November 15, 2006

There are times when we all follow the same routine. We all get up every day and do what we have to do in the same fashion as we have been doing for years. In Stranger Than Fiction, the boring routine of Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) comes to an immediate halt when a narrator begins telling him what he is going to do. This brings some strong morals to the story, which makes it a decent film.

Stranger Than Fiction is directed by Marc Forster and stars Ferrell and Emma Thompson, with supporting roles from Dustin Hoffman and Maggie Gyllenhaal. It’s a story about the dull daily life of IRS agent Crick and the author writing about his life, Kay Eiffel (Thompson). Eiffel is dictating true events that happen in his life, and to top it all off, Eiffel narrates that Crick will die.

Throughout the rest of the movie, Crick tries to figure out if his impending death is true or not. In the middle of this process, he encounters a woman he is auditing and develops a romantic interest in her. Crick’s feelings change throughout the movie and he changes his routine. He has “different” thoughts.

Stranger Than Fiction is rather enjoyable. Ferrell proves that he isn’t only about the raunchy comedy with beer bongs and streaking. He shows a different side, one that can act in a dramatic role with some flavor of comedy.

The moral of the story itself is good. It gives Crick time to reflect on what is wrong with his life. The ending of the movie also has a bit of suspense, which makes for a great finale.

Hopefully, Stranger Than Fiction will make people respect Ferrell more as an actor, rather than as just a comedian. There is also a great supporting cast, especially Hoffman. It’s a terrific movie and is worth taking the time to see.

dadamof1@lasalle.edu