I really wanted to see Stranger than Fiction in the theater. I remember reading Ebert's review of it, and thinking that it would be excellent, just based on the idea (and the fact that Will Ferrell is in it). Then it came out on video, and I wanted to rent it immediately. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and Lacey and I just don't watch a TON of movies, so we put it off for a while. But we finally saw it on Saturday night, and if I knew then what I know now, I would have RAN out to BUY this movie. It is superb! It immediately jumps up the chart on my top movies of last year. I would say it is fourth, behind Children of Men, Departed, and Prestige. But that really isn't fair, because it's a completely different KIND of movie. I'm not sure there is another movie I've simply ENJOYED WATCHING as much as this one, in a long, long time. I'm not going to be able to write about it as well as Guido or Jon (find their blogs somehow), nor do I want to give anything away, but bear with me.
The plot is fairly simple, and yet beautifully written. The characters are very lovingly drawn, and absolutely perfect in their execution. The performances are spot-on, and Will Ferrell pulls (from seemingly nowhere) a funny, and yet understated performance off without a hitch. He is brilliant, and just when I thought he was type-casting himself (see the trailer for Blades of Glory), he comes out with this. The music, attention to detail, even special effects are done incrediby well! And I love the fact that they get all the elements of a great story fit into the whole of it all. There is comedy, tragedy, love, hope, despair, intensity...you get the drift. In fact, one of my favorite scenes is this VERY sexy scene, where Will Ferrell is playing the guitar for his love interest...really, I just have to compel you to see the movie and go no further. There are Christological implications ALL OVER THE PLACE. And this coming from Marc Forster, who directed freaking Monster's Ball (a hideous movie)!! To be fair, his last movie was Finding Neverland, a wonderful film, so I guess he's on the right track. But I can't recommend this movie highly enough. Rent it.
P.S.
We also watched Borat, and laughed a lot, but I have to say, it wasn't as funny as I was expecting. I think it was a victim of the hype/build-up, and it was followed by one of the best movies of last year, see above.