[6] The movie theatre in the film is the Logan Theatre located in the Logan Square neighborhood. | Believing Ana loves him, Harold re-evaluates his story as a comedy. Dave's apartment, in which Harold takes residence after his own building partially is demolished, is part of the River City Condominiums. Harold wakes up in a hospital, and is told that his life was saved when his ulnar artery was blocked by shrapnel from his wristwatch, which was destroyed in the collision; the blocked artery prevented him from bleeding to death. Thorngren), transportation coordinator (as Jim Hogan), transportation: second unit (as Joe Martucci), transportation: second unit (as Nick Triantafillidis), driver: Dustin Hoffman, Los Angeles (uncredited), assistant: Ms. Latifah (as La Wanda 'LB' Black), second assistant accountant (as Harold R. Caldwell), footage: Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" courtesy of, production assistant (as Michael H. Eberle), assistant: Mr. Kopeloff (as Casey W. Engelhardt), caterer: American Road Show (as PJ Haines), completion guarantor: Film Finances, Inc. (as Paula Manzanedo-Schmit), Creative Executive / assistant: Mr. Kopeloff, Chicago, additional production assistant (uncredited), office production assistant: additional photography (uncredited), rotoscope artist: Double Negative (uncredited), additional set production assistant (uncredited), production coordinator: Los Angeles (uncredited), special thanks: footage from the movie "Winged Migration" provided by. Official Sites Stranger than Fiction was released by Columbia Pictures on November 10, 2006. Harold takes care of some errands and spends his last night with Ana. Harold Crick is an Internal Revenue Service agent and lives a solitary life that he strictly schedules by his wristwatch. Narrator is Karen Eiffel. Harold visits Jules Hilbert, a literature professor, who initially dismisses Harold. … "[10] On Metacritic, the film holds a score of 67 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". I really enjoyed this film and would … [1], On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 73% approval rating based on 175 reviews; the average rating is 6.87/10. … Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) is your average I.R.S. Whether eating, working, … As the story unfolds, Harold discovers that he is actually the character of a novel, a story that ends with Harold’s death. Comedy, Drama, Romance; Directed By: Marc Forster; In Theaters: Nov 10, 2006 wide; On DVD: Feb 27, 2007; Sony Pictures; Stranger Than Fiction Photos. It is an original movie which delivers laughs, empathy and suspense. After viewing this scene, we learn several things about the narrator: She gives us insights into Harold’s thoughts and emotions The narrator talks about him in a straightforward, unapologetic manner The soundtrack includes an original recording of "Whole Wide World", the song that Harold plays for Ana, by Wreckless Eric. 1823, Don Juan: Cantos XIII, XIII, and XIV, George Gordon Byron (Lord Byron), Canto 14, Stanza 101, Quote Page 165, Printed for John Hunt, London. In the first place, the film's narration is supplied by the rich and inviting voice of Emma Thompson, and her function as narrator is about as energetic as it gets. executive visual effects producer: Intelligent Creatures Inc. digital fusion compositng artist: Intelligent Creatures, visual effects producer (as Leslie McMinn), cg artist: Mokko Studio (as Danny Lévesque), visual effects creative advisor: Intelligent Creatures, cg artist: Barxseven (as Jean-François Morissette), visual effects coordinator: Intelligent Creatures, systems administrator: Intelligent Creatures, 3d artist: Intelligent Creatures / 3d supervisor: Intelligent Creatures, digital intermediate support: Laser Pacific (as Andre Trejo), digital matte painting artist: Intelligent Creatures, visual effects executive producer: FX Cartel, digital compositor: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), digital compositor: Mokko Studio (uncredited), 3d artist: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), visual effects executive producer: Digital Dimension (uncredited), compositor (uncredited) / rotoscope artist (uncredited), senior digital compositor: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), 2d technical director: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), digital matte artist and digital compositor: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), 3d technical director: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), technical support: Double Negative (uncredited), pipeline technical director: Digital Dimension (uncredited), digital matte artist: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), junior matte painter and digital compositor: Intelligent Creatures Inc. (uncredited), production assistant: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), digital matte painter: Intelligent Creatures (uncredited), studio assistant: Double Negative (uncredited), digital asset manager: Laser Pacific (uncredited), stunt coordinator / stunts (as Richard L. LeFevour), stunt coordinator: additional photography, additional camera first assistant (as Bob Faison), second assistant camera operator: second unit (as Brad Fanfortone), second assistant camera operator: second unit (as Alex Garcia), crash camera operator (as Edward Gutentag), first assistant camera operator: second unit, camera operator: "a" camera / steadicam operator, camera loader / second assistant camera: "b" camera, second assistant camera: "a" camera (as Daniel Schrorer), additional camera operator (as Faries Anderson), 24 frame operator (as Andrew A. Smith) / video assist: second unit, additional camera operator (as Joe Williams), additional camera operator (as Steven Wojcik), director of photography: spacecam (uncredited), casting: Chicago, Tenner, Pascal & Rudnicke casting Inc. (uncredited), assistant costume designer (as Lisa Frucht), wardrobe: Ferrell, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah, colorist (television version) (uncredited), assistant location manager (as Martin Hudson), score pre-mixer: S.J (as Eric 'E.T.' Filming & Production [11], Roger Ebert gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars, stating that the film was thought-provoking and moral, and that "Such an uncommonly intelligent film does not often get made...which requires us to enter the lives of these specific quiet, sweet, worthy people", and he also praised Ferrell's performance saying, "Will Ferrell stars, in another role showing that like Steve Martin and Robin Williams he has dramatic gifts to equal his comedic talent". There's an underlying theme that the things we take most for granted are often the ones that make life worth living and actually keep us alive. [8], Lindsey Doran, "Words on a Page" bonus featurette on DVD. That is, until he audits Ana Pascal, a baker. The film was shot on location in Chicago, and has been praised for its innovative, intelligent story and fine performances. Written by Zach Helm. Stranger than Fiction 1.) Harold reads the manuscript and returns it to Karen, and tells her the death she has written for him is beautiful and he accepts it. [12], Rolling Stone rated the film 3 out of 4 stars, stating that though the premise of Ferrell's life being narrated is a set-up for farce, the film is "less self-reflexively clever and more intimate". Agent: monotonous, boring, and repetitive. Release Dates A narrator tells us that we are about to see “a story about a man named Harold Crick ” as the camera zooms in rapidly on the wristwatch on Harold’s nightside table. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, executive in charge of production: Mandate Pictures, post-production supervisor (as Cory McCrum-Abdo), production supervisor: additional photography (uncredited), graphics conceptual designer (as Russ Bowers), assistant property master (as Michael Gianneschi), adr production assistant (as Jon Fallon) / dialogue production assistant (as Jon Fallon), sound designer / supervising sound editor, sound effects recordist (as Mathew Taylor), ProTools engineer (uncredited) / sound recordist (uncredited), dts sound mastering engineer (uncredited), sound re-recording stage engineer (uncredited), digital sound mix technician (uncredited), special effects assistant (as George Disalvo), special effects foreman (as Frank R. Krenmuller), special effects technician: reshoots (uncredited), visual effects production manager: Intelligent Creatures, digital intermediate support: Laser Pacific, visual effects supervisor: Double Negative, visual effects team consultant: FX Cartel, senior animator: Double Negative (as Gia Sadhwani), digital fusion compositing artist: Intelligent Creatures, visual effects coordinator: FX Cartel (as Angela De Palma), digital compositor: Barxseven (as Philippe Désiront), associate visual effects supervisor: Intelligent Creatures, visual effects coordinator (as Katie Kerr), visual effects supervisor: Intelligent Creatures, visual effects producer: FX Cartel (as Chloé Grysole), visual effects technical advisor: Intelligent Creatures, visual effects producer: Digital Dimension, systems administrator: Intelligent Creatures (as Jeff Klug), visual effects supervising compositor: Mokko Studio / visual effects supervisor: Mokko Studio. The opening scene of Stranger Than Fiction introduces us to both Harold Crick and the narrator, Karen Eiffel. During the movie ‘Stranger than Fiction’ by Mark Forster the use of extreme wide shots, motifs and a narrator helps to portray the idea of the issue of time. The next morning Harold goes about his routine again as Karen writes and narrates. [8], The music for this film includes original scores by the collaborative effort of Britt Daniel (singer/songwriter of Spoon) and Brian Reitzell (composer for Friday Night Lights, The Bling Ring and Hannibal), as well as a mix of indie rock songs from various artists including Spoon. The narrator it is extraordinarily accurate, and Harold recognizes the voice as an esteemed author he saw on TV. In Stranger than Fiction, Harold learns that the narrator’s voice belongs to author Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson) and realizes that he is a character in her upcoming novel. This idea is developed throughout the film Stranger Than Fiction by Marc Forster. During the movie ‘Stranger than Fiction’ by Mark Forster the use of extreme wide shots, motifs and a narrator helps to portray the idea of the issue of time. It is well written and well acted. At the beginning of this film, Harold is alive but is not really living. But one day this all changes when Harold begins to hear an author inside his head narrating his life. Yakzira Ayub Stranger Than Fiction I believe stranger than fiction is a 3-act narrative because it has all the elements of a protagonist, climax and even a resolution and has the plot narrative as well. And the narrator, in this case Levine, is not without his own conflicted stances; none of us is. Jules notes the story is weaker without Harold's death, and Karen points out the book was about a man who did not know he was going to die, but if Harold knew and accepted his fate, that is the kind of person who deserves to live. And, as a bonus, there is little of the offensive content that riddles most films. | This second process often ‘arises when a writer or a narrator describes the behaviour of real or imaginary people in a humorous manner.’ An example of these two ways working simultaneously and together can be seen in Stranger than Fiction (Forster, USA 2006) in which a writer (Karen Eiffel)- infamous for killing all her characters- unknowingly writes a novel whose main character (Harold Crick) begins to hear her … The two like each other, and a romance begins. Harold Crick is your average IRS agent: monotonous, boring, and repetitive. Its widest release was 2270 theaters, across which it grossed $40.7 million. The small rituals of Harold Crick ultimately contribute to the larger sacrifice he’s willing to make later in the film. [7] Many downtown Chicago locations were used for scenes involving Karen Eiffel, Penny Escher, and Harold Crick. Harold takes time off work, takes guitar lessons, moves in with his co-worker Dave, and starts dating Ana. At the end of the movie Karen Eiffel says to Professor Jules Hilbert “A man that knows he is going to die and dies willingly, isn’t that the kind of man you want to live” shows that the issue of time didn’t shape the man, the man shaped the issue … Harold Crick isn't ready to go. The film stars Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah, and Emma Thompson. Stranger than Fiction is a 2006 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Marc Forster, produced by Lindsay Doran, and written by Zach Helm. In 2001, writer Zach Helm was working with producer Clarence Helmus on a project they called "The Disassociate". Harold Crick is an Internal Revenue Service agent and lives a solitary life that he strictly schedules by his wristwatch. Sign In Join AMC Stubs® See A Movie; Our Theatres; Food & Drinks; On Demand; Extras; Gift Cards; Showtimes Sign In. It opened at #4 in the box office and grossed $13.4 million in 2264 theaters. He lives a boring, structured, and isolated life. Fear of death teaches you to live. This is seen in Marc Forster’s ‘Stranger Than Fiction’, where he incorporates language and film techniques in the film to engage and manipulate the audience’s emotions towards the key theme of fate or free will. Stranger than Fiction study guide contains a biography of director Marc Forster, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Crick’s . See A Movie Our Theatres Food & Drinks On … “Stranger Than Fiction” is a romantic comedy, drama and fantasy all wrapped in one package. [2] Helm came to Doran with a new idea involving a man who finds himself accompanied by a narrator that only he can hear. [3], Helm named each of the film's chief characters after a famous scientist or scientifically influential artist, examples including Crick, Pascal, Eiffel, Escher, and Hilbert. | Tropes used in Stranger Than Fiction include: Addiction Displacement: at the end, Karen Eiffel's assistant Penny gets her the patch to replace her cigarettes, but it's left unclear whether Karen will give up her addiction or not. The various events that begin occurring in the life of IRS agent, Harold Crick, contribute to his life being turned upside down. Helm and Doran began referring to the new project as "The Narrator Project" and developed the story through a process of Helm's bringing ideas and Doran's asking questions. The introduction of a narrator into his life changes his outlook, and with his death in sight, he begins to go after what he wants and becomes less formal. 2.) Harold telephones Karen and stuns her when he accurately recounts her book to her. Jules tells Harold that such an improbable event is proof he no longer controls his destiny, so he should accept whatever fate the narrator has decided and enjoy the time he has left. She reveals that when Harold's wristwatch stopped and he reset it, it was three minutes fast, causing Harold to arrive to the bus stop earlier than usual. Though it is not for kids, I can recommend “Stranger Than Fiction” to the discerning teen or adult. Ferrell, who came to prominence playing brash comedic parts, garnered particular attention for offering a restrained performance in his first starring dramatic role. The bakery that Ana Pascal runs is located in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago and is called La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant. One of Helm's main ideas involved engaging the movie's form as much as its content. He advises Harold to identify the author and determine if his story is a comedy or tragedy. In the opening scene, we are introduced to a “story about a man named Harold Crick, and his wristwatch”, through narration, confirming that the protagonist, Harold, is within a narrative, … And the Aesop that … It's tough to say where Stranger Than Fiction director Marc Forster (Finding Neverland) and first-time writer Zach Helm might land in that argument, but I suspect the anti-voice-over audience won't dismiss their efforts out of hand. The narrator it is extraordinarily accurate, and Harold recognizes the voice as an esteemed author he saw on television. Stranger Than Fiction (2006) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The site's critical consensus reads, "A fun, whimsical tale about an office drone trying to save his life from his narrator, Stranger Than Fiction features a subdued performance from Will Ferrell that contributes mightily to its quirky, mind-bending affect. The narrator it is extraordinarily accurate, and Harold recognizes the voice as an esteemed author he saw on television. By the end of the film, Harold has gone from ineffective office cog to local hero, living up to the protagonist status that Karen has … Karen has been struggling with writer's block on her next book because she cannot figure out how to kill Harold Crick, but has had a breakthrough and begun writing again. Harold Crick's life is ruled by time, his life is dependent on his wristwatch. Helm stated "Each of these characters ends up doing little things to save one another. Harold consults a psychiatrist who recommends him to a literary expert if he believes there is a narrator. The two meet in person and she explains she has written, though not yet typed up, the conclusion. When Harold's watch stops working and he resets it using the time from a bystander, the voice narrates that this action will eventually result in Harold's death. Stranger Than Fiction 73%. 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