Movie Review

STRANGER THAN FICTION (2006)

This is a story that revolves around a hero's journey in an archetypal construct. What makes this film, so fascinating is the developing awareness of the character and how that impacts the classic storytelling formula. It is a story about life - and living life and how the protagonist is drawn to action by an event that will set him on a journey that not only develops the story, but inevitably leads to a conclusion once the hero's journey is completed.

What makes this film particularly fascinating is how the protagonist interacts in a world and tries to adapt to an awareness of the classic storytelling formula. With a great cast that features the hero/protagonist - Will Ferrell, an antagonist - Emma Thompson, a guardian/wise old man in Dustin Hoffman, and angel in Maggie Gyllenhaal it is a story about storytelling and this one unfolds like any good book.

This book can also be looked at as a take on 'Choose your Own Adventure' style of storytelling. These are pieces that change the rules of traditional storyteling yet are still stories seemingly giving the reader control over the actions and plot. Ultimately though, it is a story that still follows a set of rules and must end in a way that was pre-orchestrated by the author. Now imagine you are watching a story about someone reading a choose your own adventure book with an understanding of the storytelling formula while existing in that very world.

This is a movie that can be enjoyed on so many levels. Its a remarkable piece for any literary buff and also those who enjoy those movies that are just plain weird. By that I mean movies that really explore strange concepts such as 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'.

Will Ferrell is brilliant as the straight man making you both laugh and cry at the same time. Emma Thompson is simply brilliant in her role as an eccentric author with a severe case of neurosis, but the show stopper is Dustin Hoffman who plays the role of guardian to Ferrell's Harold Crick character with amazing skill.

CONCLUSION

A great story about life, awareness and a hero's journey in a world which blurs fiction with reality. This movie is definitely 'Stranger than Fiction'

4 stars out 5.