Review: Ferrell Impressive In Inventive 'Fiction'

'Stranger Than Fiction' (PG-13)(out of four)

While it's going to inevitably draw comparisons to such films as "The Truman Show" and "Adaptation," the great thing about "Stranger Than Fiction" is that it's hardly a by-the-book comedy. Featuring a brilliant script, inventive filmmaking and a stellar cast, the film catapults star Will Ferrell to new heights.

Ferrell plays Harold Crick, a mousy IRS agent who leads a by-the-numbers life. Depending on his handy watch to aid his every move, Crick's timing is suddenly thrown off when he starts to hear a distinctive voice of a British female in his head who seems to be narrating his life.

Unbeknownst to Harold, it's the voice of Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson), a famed reclusive author who's suffering from a serious case of writer's block as she struggles to finish her first novel in 10 years. Morose and despondent, she's struggling to find a way to kill off Harold -- the main character in her novel -- but doesn't realize that he exists in real life.

Discovering Karen's trait of dispatching characters in her novels through Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) -- a literary theorist interested in his unique state of mind -- Harold desperately tries to find the author, hoping to change her ending to save his own life.

Taking Jules' advice to turn Karen's tragedy into a comedy, Harold's life suddenly becomes more meaningful when he becomes smitten with Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a feisty baker whom the IRS sends him to audit.

If anything, "Stranger Than Fiction" is unique in that it actually makes the subject matter of death and taxes entertaining. Behind it all is director Marc Forster -- the genius behind the magical drama "Finding Neverland" -- who once again assembles the right combination of talent to pull off a fascinating blend of fiction and reality.

Appropriately, it all starts with the written word -- Zach Helm's impeccable script -- that is witty and poignant at the same time. The script in turn is punctuated by the imagination of Forster, who, among other things, literally pops up transparent schematics around Harold to illustrate the taxman's systematic life.

But as much in command as Forster is of "Stranger Than Fiction," it's great to see that he's not afraid to turn his talent loose so they can take characters to a new level. There's no question that Thompson (who's still naturally beautiful as a disheveled, chain-smoking wreck) and Hoffman (who was wonderful in "Finding Neverland") are adding their own, subtle touches to the characters, and the film is that much better for it.

On the flip side, subtlety is also Ferrell's strong suit. But what makes that amazing is that it's a complete departure from actor's usually broad comedic style.

There is no doubt that Ferrell fans will look at the actor's definitive departure from slapstick as a "Jim Carrey move" (think "The Truman Show," "Man on the Moon" and "The Majestic"), but what is wrong with that? Carrey proved that he was more than up to the task, and so is Ferrell. He's funny in the film, but just in a different sort of way. It was a brilliant career move on his part, and he should be congratulated for not only taking the leap of faith, but succeeding.

Ferrell obviously needs to credit some of that success to his co-stars -- not the least of whom is Gyllenhaal -- who is utterly charming and engaging as the rebellious Ana. Complete opposites in character, Gyllenhaal and Farrell have perfect chemistry in the film, which makes Harold's strive to save his own life all the more potent.

If the film falls short on any fronts, it comes with the casting of Queen Latifah as a hard-nosed "assistant" that Karen's publisher sends in to push the author to finish her novel.

That's not to say Latifah isn't good -- she delivers as usual -- it's just that the role seems far more inconsequential than any of the others. Her cast mates fit the bill because they were allowed to stretch their creative muscles a bit, while Latifah's role, which is far more thankless, could have been played by any number of actors. You're waiting for more from her, but it just never happens. Even amusing cameo turns by Tom Hulce and Linda Hunt have far more impact.

In the end, of course, "Stranger Than Fiction" has a moral, but the nice thing is, Forster and Helm don't beat you over the head with it or use it to try and manipulate your emotions. Basically, it serves as a hearty reminder that life is something you should live, even if your destiny is out of your hands.

That inspiring lesson, my friends, is not fiction. It's real.