Stranger Than Fiction Flaunts Ferrell at His Finest

Will Ferrell has impressed audiences of all ages with his unique brand of comic wizardry in a wide range of roles like news anchor Ron Burgundy, Buddy the elf, Frank the Tank (from Old School) and Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights. None of these roles begin to show the depth and versatility that Mr. Ferrell is capable of as well as his latest DVD release Stranger Than Fiction.

In Stranger Than Fiction Will Ferrell plays an IRS agent by the name of Harold Crick. Harold adheres to a rigid daily schedule that includes tasks like brushing his teeth using the exact same number of strokes each day and running to catch the bus to avoid wasting any time waiting at the bus stop. Mr. Crick is a unique individual to say the least and his life is about to take a drastic turn he never could have predicted.

It seems that Harold is the subject of author Karen Eiffel's (played by Emma Thompson) latest work. He does not know her but he begins to hear her voice in his head as she narrates while writing her new novel. The antics that ensue begin comical but take on a dramatic overtone when Karen Eiffel decides that her masterpiece will not be complete until she discovers the perfect way to end it. Unfortunately for Harold, it will mean his demise. Eiffel isn't sure how to make it happen, just that she must kill her main character to create the best ending to her work.

Harold's inability to deal with the increasing seriousness of his personal narrator's scenarios begins to adversely affect his life at home, at work and with his romantic interest, Ana Pascal (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal). If Harold can't manage to reign in this rogue voice that seems hell bent on ending his continued existence he will surely ruin the best chance at love he may have ever had.

It is only through Professor Jules Hilbert (played by Dustin Hoffman) and a coincidence that Harold discovers the identity of the voice in his head which is narrating his life. His desire to remain alive leads him on a quest to meet the author of his existence and convince her not to kill him. Harold Crick will have to hold on to all of his hope and use every ounce of his emotional strength if he is to survive. Facing the very real possibility of death may be just what Harold needs to awaken him to the simple pleasures of his existence.

Stranger Than Fiction is a magical mixture of comedy, drama and fantasy with a terrific cast that includes Will Ferrell as Harold Crick, Emma Thompson as author Karen Eiffel, Dustin Hoffman as Professor Jules Hilbert, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Ana Pascal and Queen Latifah as Penny Escher, an employee of Eiffel's publisher that was sent to keep her on schedule by whatever means necessary. The mellifluous writing and stunning performances are catered to by a marvelous score and fantastic cinematography that is sure to take you, the viewer, on a one of a kind journey into the psyche of a man destined to discover how sweet life really can be.