Friday, April 22, 2011

Stranger Than Fiction



A to Z Blogging Challenge: Movie Memories
Blogging about the movies that made an impact on my life

As a writer, I was drawn to this movie about a novelist with writer's block. "Little did I know" that it would be so delightful.

The story was intriguing...a writer actually meets a character in her own novel. How cool is that?

The story is told from the point of view of Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), the main character in Karen Eiffel's (Emma Thompson) novel. Harold is an IRS agent; meticulous, methodical...and very unhappy with his life. When he discovers that he's going to die, he does everything in his power to stop it from happening.

In the mean time, he realizes that he needs to live his life. He learns to play the guitar and falls in love with Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a quirky, radical baker that wants to change the world one cookie at a time. I really liked Ferrell's subdued, sincere performance. It was magical.

What I enjoyed most about this movie was the idea of following your dreams and living life to the fullest.

HAROLD: This may sound like gibberish to you, but I think I'm in a tragedy.

16 comments:

Angela said...

Aren't we all, though? In a tragedy in our own way?

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen this movie. It sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out.

Luana Krause said...

Angela: Sometimes a tragedy, sometimes a comedy...

Luana Krause said...

Shelley: I always cry at the end...

Roland D. Yeomans said...

We all write the reactions and choices of our lives. Sometimes it feels like my life has become a Greek tragedy until I realize I can choose to add laughter and compassion to the mix if I but have the strength of heart to do so. May your Easter be lovely, filled with happy surprises, Roland

Red Boot Pearl said...

That was a great movie, I haven't seen it in a while-thanks for giving me some Friday Movie Night plans :)

Luana Krause said...

Roland: Happy Easter to you as well. Thanks for stopping by.

Luana Krause said...

Red Boot Pearl: Great choice for a Friday night! I really like Queen Latifa in this...an awesome character in stark contrast to Thompson's character.

Marjorie said...

I actually really liked this movie!

Bluestocking Mum said...

oooh, I haven't seen this film either. I like Roland's comment. My life sometimes feels like a Greek tragedy too ;)

x

Luana Krause said...

Marjorie: It was inspiring. Very creative and original.

Luana Krause said...

Bluestocking Mum: They say there's a fine line between tragedy and comedy. And did you ever notice when people are laughing, it sometimes sounds like they're crying? And vice versa.

Craig Edwards said...

This was a radical departure for Mr. Ferrell - and it worked marvelously for me. I think it needed someone known for comedy in the center spot - to give the absurdity some gravitas. Then the actor would need to be able to pull off the dramatics - and Will Ferrell proves completely up to the task. A wonderful post about a wonderful motion picture - well done Ms. K!

Luana Krause said...

Craig: Will Ferrell was amazing. I never dreamed he had it in him to play a part like this, especially when you look at his other films which are pretty goofy. Jim Carrey might have been able to do it...his performances in The Majestic and The Truman Show proves he has the chops.

Michelle Gregory said...

this is one of my favorite movies. i so love the ending about how a wristwatch saved Harold Crick's life (in more ways than one).

Luana Krause said...

Michelle: I love the wristwatch element in this story. Such a delightful metaphor. Thanks for stopping by!