Stranger than fiction: Better than average

But not by much

TIMOTHY BROWN STAFF

Will Ferrell attempts to bend a toothbrush
using only his mind, in Stranger Than
Fiction.
PHOTO: COUTESY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

The first point to make clear is that Stranger Than Fiction is not a typical Will Ferrell vehicle. If you’re looking for an over-the-top comedy with Ferrell doing the most ridiculous things possible (singing “Afternoon Delight” in fourpart harmony, running around in a diaper, performing avantgarde jazz-flute solos on table-tops in fancy restaurants, etc.) then it might be wise to avoid Stranger Than Fiction. In this film, Ferrell is experimenting with a different style of acting. Much more reserved than usual, he plays an IRS auditor who unexpectedly starts to hear his life being narrated. What’s more, this narration can only be heard by him.s

Stranger than Fiction
Directed by: Marc Forster
Now Playing
♥♥♥ out of 5

This isn’t the strongest or most inventive film, but it’s definitely enjoyable. As directed by Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland), Stranger Than Fiction puts a stylish and unique twist on the conventional comedy. And it isn’t just Ferrell that shines in this movie: practically the entire cast puts forth fun and quirky performances: Emma Thompson plays the reclusive, writer’s-blocked author who unknowingly narrates Ferrell’s life; Queen Latifah plays Thompson’s assistant, sent by the publishing company to help her finish the book before her deadline; Ferrell’s love interest is played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, a baker who is being audited by the IRS; and Dustin Hoffman plays a literature professor who is helping Ferrell understand the narration and where it is leading.

As previously mentioned, most of the cast is excellent in the film, with one exception: Queen Latifah. It’s not that her acting was poor; the fault lies in her character. Playing a grounded, determined assistant, she feels out of place in a movie that relies on light fantasy for most of its effect. Her character was there to provide the voice of reason; this made her dull and as such, made it harder for the audience to relate with her. Latifah’s character lacked charm, which is something that all of the other characters had in abundance.

The biggest flaw with Stranger Than Fiction is with the overall presentation. It’s very stylish and also very subtle, something that, if handled properly, could create an amazing and completely original film. But Stranger Than Fiction failed to maximize its full potential and the final result looks like Charlie Kaufman-lite. The mix of seriousness and comedy worked well, but there were times — like when subtly trying to tie in all these minor characters for one of the final scenes — that the film felt awkward and unevenly paced. It is also at these points where one could relate Stranger Than Fiction to a film written by Charlie Kaufman. Because it clings to conventional comedy, it’s unable to reach out, grab onto, and pull itself into original or innovative territory. This flaw, however, wasn’t enough to completely ruin the film. Good performances definitely keep Stranger Than Fiction afloat all the way through and leave the film fun and quirky.





Volume 94 Issue 13	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	November 15, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Stranger than fiction: Better than average But not by much TIMOTHY BROWN STAFF Will Ferrell attempts to bend a toothbrush using only his mind, in Stranger Than Fiction. PHOTO: COUTESY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT The first point to make clear is that Stranger Than Fiction is not a typical Will Ferrell vehicle. If you’re looking for an over-the-top comedy with Ferrell doing the most ridiculous things possible (singing “Afternoon Delight” in fourpart harmony, running around in a diaper, performing avantgarde jazz-flute solos on table-tops in fancy restaurants, etc.) then it might be wise to avoid Stranger Than Fiction. In this film, Ferrell is experimenting with a different style of acting. Much more reserved than usual, he plays an IRS auditor who unexpectedly starts to hear his life being narrated. What’s more, this narration can only be heard by him.s Stranger than Fiction Directed by: Marc Forster Now Playing ♥♥♥ out of 5 This isn’t the strongest or most inventive film, but it’s definitely enjoyable. As directed by Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland), Stranger Than Fiction puts a stylish and unique twist on the conventional comedy. And it isn’t just Ferrell that shines in this movie: practically the entire cast puts forth fun and quirky performances: Emma Thompson plays the reclusive, writer’s-blocked author who unknowingly narrates Ferrell’s life; Queen Latifah plays Thompson’s assistant, sent by the publishing company to help her finish the book before her deadline; Ferrell’s love interest is played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, a baker who is being audited by the IRS; and Dustin Hoffman plays a literature professor who is helping Ferrell understand the narration and where it is leading. As previously mentioned, most of the cast is excellent in the film, with one exception: Queen Latifah. It’s not that her acting was poor; the fault lies in her character. Playing a grounded, determined assistant, she feels out of place in a movie that relies on light fantasy for most of its effect. Her character was there to provide the voice of reason; this made her dull and as such, made it harder for the audience to relate with her. Latifah’s character lacked charm, which is something that all of the other characters had in abundance. The biggest flaw with Stranger Than Fiction is with the overall presentation. It’s very stylish and also very subtle, something that, if handled properly, could create an amazing and completely original film. But Stranger Than Fiction failed to maximize its full potential and the final result looks like Charlie Kaufman-lite. The mix of seriousness and comedy worked well, but there were times — like when subtly trying to tie in all these minor characters for one of the final scenes — that the film felt awkward and unevenly paced. It is also at these points where one could relate Stranger Than Fiction to a film written by Charlie Kaufman. Because it clings to conventional comedy, it’s unable to reach out, grab onto, and pull itself into original or innovative territory. This flaw, however, wasn’t enough to completely ruin the film. Good performances definitely keep Stranger Than Fiction afloat all the way through and leave the film fun and quirky.


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