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Stranger Than Fiction

PG-13 Released Nov 10, 2006 1h 45m Comedy Fantasy List
73% Tomatometer 177 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
A mentally unstable IRS auditor (Will Ferrell) hears an author's (Emma Thompson) voice in his head and discovers that he is the ill-fated protagonist of her latest work. While a book-company employee (Queen Latifah) tries to cure the author's case of writer's block, the auditor and a professor (Dustin Hoffman) set out to find the woman and make her change her story.
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Stranger Than Fiction

Stranger Than Fiction

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Critics Consensus

A fun, whimsical tale about an office drone trying to save his life from his narrator, Stranger Than Fiction features a subdued performances from Will Ferrell that contributes mightily to its quirky, mind-bending affect.

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Critics Reviews

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Anthony Lane New Yorker The ending may be mush, but the rest has surprising bite. Jun 5, 2023 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator There just isn't enough wit or style or verve to pull it off. It takes a great premise and then not only fails to run with it, but also fails to go absolutely anywhere with it at all. Aug 22, 2018 Full Review Brian Tallerico UGO Stranger Than Fiction never rises above its eye-catching premise, ending up as nothing more than a great idea with absolutely nowhere to go. Mar 24, 2007 Full Review Cory Woodroof For the Win (USA Today) While Ferrell is primarily known for his comedic chops, his performance as a man trying to figure out if his fate is connected to the words of an author in the dramedy Stranger Than Fiction is one of his best. Aug 21, 2023 Full Review Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Helm's strong script is aided by superb direction from Marc Forster and a top-notch cast. Nov 20, 2019 Full Review Kaleem Aftab The List The manic spirit of Preston Sturges has a hold of this voyage of self-discovery that's packed with laughs and brilliant performances. Thompson in particular hasn't been this inspired for a long time. Rated: 4/5 Nov 3, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Faiz D One of my most favorite films. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review Phil M Enjoyable, though anyone who believes the core concept to be truly original must check out Vonnegut's "Breakfast of Champions." This merely riffs on that work. And though he's a lot more "serious" in this than usual, and yes I enjoy some of his other movies (especially "Talladega Nights") I think Ferrell has yet to pivot to completely "genuine" in a role. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/10/24 Full Review Oceans E It's safe to say I'm not a huge fan of Will Farrell movies. In fact that would be a gross understatement. You'd pretty much have to hold a loaded gun to my head to get me to sit through Elf. So it deeply surprised me, and continues to surprise me, just how much I love his 2006 film Stranger Than Fiction. Maybe it's because I am a writer, that I asked not dissimilar plot questions when I was 8, or maybe it's just it's lovely lilting writing and mood, maybe it's its impeccable and perfect casting. All I know is that I continue to be delighted with this movie each time I've seen it. The ending might be a bit over explained and drawn out..... but it really doesn't distract it from being a really interesting film that speaks to really deeply personal places to this author Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/10/24 Full Review Will S "Stranger Than Fiction" is an absolute gem that shines brightly with its amazing plot and superb acting. The film's storyline is refreshingly unique, blending elements of comedy, drama, and fantasy in a way that feels both original and deeply engaging. Will Ferrell delivers a standout performance, showcasing his range as an actor and proving he can handle serious roles just as well as his comedic ones. The supporting cast, including Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Dustin Hoffman, is equally impressive, each bringing depth and authenticity to their characters. The cinematography is well-executed, capturing the essence of the story without being overly visually stimulating. It complements the narrative perfectly, focusing on the characters and their interactions rather than relying on flashy visuals. This approach allows the plot and performances to take center stage, drawing the audience into the film's intriguing and thought-provoking world. "Stranger Than Fiction" is a beautifully crafted film that excels in every aspect, from its engaging storyline to its top-notch acting and subtle yet effective cinematography. It's a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a well-told story and outstanding performances. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Test T I watched this on DVD recently. It's unpredictably quirky, and presents it's story in a very unique way. This alone makes the film worth watching. It's kind of part fantasy, part supernatural, but in fact it's neither of these in a traditional sense. It's actually quite challenging to understand at times, as it breaks so many rules it destabilised the viewers reality. The underlying message appears to be that no matter what we do, life is unpredictable, and we should live in the moment, but the film is deeper than that. Downsides are that it demands considerable consentration, and even then it leaves more questions unanswered than resolved, so some people may find it unsatisfying and frustrating. It's style is also quite cold and sterile at times which can be off-putting. It's not really a feel good movie, but more of a movie to make you think. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/04/24 Full Review Brian E Very creative and unique. Not a weak spot in the cast and the cinematography is amazing. Harold Crick is a great main character. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Stranger Than Fiction

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Cast & Crew

Stranger Than Fiction

Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Narration Freakout Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Narration Freakout 2:13 Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - You Have to Die Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - You Have to Die 3:15 Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - I'm in a Tragedy Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - I'm in a Tragedy 4:16 Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - I Want You Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - I Want You 3:25 Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Buying a Guitar Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Buying a Guitar 1:25 Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Harold Crick Dies Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Harold Crick Dies 2:29 Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Meeting the Author Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Meeting the Author 2:45 Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Whole Wide World Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Whole Wide World 3:34 Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Taxman in Love Stranger Than Fiction: Official Clip - Taxman in Love 4:02 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis A mentally unstable IRS auditor (Will Ferrell) hears an author's (Emma Thompson) voice in his head and discovers that he is the ill-fated protagonist of her latest work. While a book-company employee (Queen Latifah) tries to cure the author's case of writer's block, the auditor and a professor (Dustin Hoffman) set out to find the woman and make her change her story.
Director
Marc Forster
Producer
Lindsay Doran
Screenwriter
Zach Helm
Distributor
Sony Pictures
Production Co
Columbia, Mandate Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Nudity|Brief Language|Sexuality|Some Disturbing Images)
Genre
Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 10, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$40.1M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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