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Stranger Than Fiction Review

Release Date: Nov 10, 2006
Rated: some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity
Runtime: 1 hr. 53 min.
Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Director:Marc Forster
Cast:Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah, Emma Thompson. Full cast + crew

Movies.com Critics

4.5

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Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

4.0

67

out of 100

Metascore^®
Generally favorable reviews
based on a weighted average of all
critic review scores.
67

out of 100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
An eminently easy-to-watch piece of one-joke pop japery, is a movie that mimics the I'm-a-character-in-my-own-life metaphysical playfulness of "The Truman Show."

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70

out of 100

The New York Times A.O. Scott
While Stranger Than Fiction traffics in a bit of darkly funny existential anxiety, it also finds room for romantic fantasy and sentimental uplift.

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70

out of 100

Variety Todd McCarthy
Sometimes becomes too self-consciously clever, and it doesn't entirely resolve its own central dilemma. But it remains inventive and funny to the end, features fine performances from Will Ferrell and especially Emma Thompson.

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70

out of 100

Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust
A refreshingly grown-up comedy, "Stranger" is a charming film that is unafraid to be low-key in ways that studio releases seldom are.

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70

out of 100

The Hollywood Reporter
In practice, "Fiction" isn't nearly that unusual. Less like "Adaptation" than a smarter version of "Click," the picture pleases while remaining unchallenging to a broad audience.

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70

out of 100

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
Pulls us along in a state of pleasant expectation.
75

out of 100

USA Today Claudia Puig
Intricately plotted without being contrived and exhilarating in its eccentricity.

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88

out of 100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
What a thoughtful film this is, and how thought-stirring. Marc Forster's Stranger Than Fiction comes advertised as a romance, a comedy, a fantasy, and it is a little of all three, but it's really a fable, a "moral tale."

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 13+

Touching dramedy is heavy; won't interest most kids.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that some kids will want to see this movie thanks to star Will Ferrell, although they may be disappointed because it's not his usual silly comedy routine. Instead, the film explores some fairly heavy concepts about life and death. Novelist Karen Eiffel is a depressed chain-smoker, and Harold Crick (Ferrell's character) is a loner who suffers severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Families can talk about the meaning of life. No, really. This movie is all about living life to the fullest and not sitting carefully on the sidelines while everyone else has all the fun. On the flip side, how can you have fun and experience new things but stay safe at the same time?

The good stuff

Messages: Harold learns that there's more to life than doing the same thing (alone) day after day.

What to watch for

Violence: Harold experiences some real peril dodging his imminent death (heavy equipment breaks through a wall, etc.). Ana throws things around her kitchen. Some images of animal violence in nature sequences.
Sex: Romantic tension between Harold and Ana. Harold studies her breasts. Brief nudity (a character's butt is shown).
Language: Some name calling. "Shut up, you stupid voices!"
Consumerism: A wristwatch figures prominently in the storyline. Also guitars.
Drinking, drugs and smoking: The novelist is a chain smoker. A psychiatrist advises Harold to use medication to quell the voices in his head.

Common Sense Media

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.74

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