STRANGER
THAN FICTION
Think of a bizarre story that mixes reality with
fiction and you might imagine a script by Charlie Kaufman (Being John
Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). But Stranger
Than Fiction is the work of newcomer Zach Helm and directed by Marc Forster,
his first departure from morbid dramas, like Monster’s Ball, Stay,
and even Finding Neverland, to the strange world of comedy.
It’s also a chance to see Will Ferrell move away from his usual
wacky roles, from anchorman Ron Burgundy to NASCAR racer Rick Bobby.
He plays Harold Crick an IRS auditor who leads a dull life of routine
according to his punctual wristwatch until he suddenly starts hearing
a real-time narration of his every movement, in his head.
In fact, across town,
novelist Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson) is writing a fictional story
about Harold Crick who she plans to kill off at the end of the book.
This triggers Harold off to escape his predetermined fate by seeking
help from literary professor Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) who advises
how Harold can change his life story from a tragedy into a comedy.
Some
critics suggest that Helm’s script may be too clever for its own
good; one can only wonder how the resolution can really come together
when Harold confronts his supposed creator – without a deus ex
machina (Adaptation narrowly escaped that crime because it was set up).
But the high concept is definitely unique and if the film stays on route,
supported by a strong cast, Stranger Than Fiction may score for brains
as well as laughs.
Stranger Than Fiction opens on 1st December 2006
The cult TV series Spaced, the phenomenal success of Shaun of the Dead and the already-hilarious teasers for next year’s Hot Fuzz is more than enough to confirm Simon Pegg as the UK’s best-loved comedy genius.
Big Nothing is a black comedy/thriller written by Billy Asher and Jean-Baptiste Andrea (who also directs), the American/French duo behind low-budget roadtrip horror Dead End. Unemployed teacher Charlie (David Schwimmer) decides to join forces with con-artist Gus (Pegg) and his girlfriend Josie (Alice Eve) in a blackmailing scheme; their target, a reverend. However, the scam goes horribly, horribly wrong and proceeds to get worse as nothing goes according to plan.
So, possibly the fool’s version of Fargo in the way Welcome To Collinwood was the fool’s version of Ocean’s 11? Schwimmer may never escape his Ross-from-Friends tag but buddying up Pegg may offer plenty of laughs and surprises. Pegg: “It’s just a nice twisty-turny screenplay – so arch and funny and cool. I love writing, but acting is where the fun is.” And with the chance to put on an American accent and play off Spaced-style film references (like when Gus mimics The Matrix’s ‘blue pill, red pill’ scene to convince Charlie to join the scam), he’s probably right.
Big Nothing opens on 1st December 2006