Comments on: DVD of the Week – Stranger than Fiction (2006) http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/ movie reviews, news and discussion Thu, 17 May 2012 20:53:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Anita http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-128 Anita Sun, 25 Mar 2007 04:32:07 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-128 I'm no movie expert but I do have to say that I truly enjoyed this film. I absolutely loved Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance, but then again, I'm biased because after I watched "Secretary" I melt with her everytime. This was a remarkable film with a remarkable cast, and even though it's premise is very similar to Kaufman's films, I loved it. Will Ferrell's performance was excellent. If you are a sentimental fool who loves magic realism this is a must! I’m no movie expert but I do have to say that I truly enjoyed this film. I absolutely loved Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performance, but then again, I’m biased because after I watched “Secretary” I melt with her everytime. This was a remarkable film with a remarkable cast, and even though it’s premise is very similar to Kaufman’s films, I loved it. Will Ferrell’s performance was excellent. If you are a sentimental fool who loves magic realism this is a must!

]]> By: laura http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-127 laura Thu, 01 Mar 2007 02:19:21 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-127 Actually I went to see the movie with my Dad and he thought it was "ok" but too weird. Then again, my Dad is a WWII vet and 83 years old , so this may have had something to do with his opinion. He usually likes movies with Tom Hanks, and Jim Carrey. I , on the other hand, cried and cried at this movie- of course I LOVE Will Ferrell. Actually I went to see the movie with my Dad and he thought it was “ok” but too weird. Then again, my Dad is a WWII vet and 83 years old , so this may have had something to do with his opinion. He usually likes movies with Tom Hanks, and Jim Carrey.
I , on the other hand, cried and cried at this movie- of course I LOVE Will Ferrell.

]]> By: Jeff Faulkner http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-126 Jeff Faulkner Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:45:52 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-126 It is an imitation of Kaufman. A warmed over one at that. Will Ferrell gave a noted performance, proving that he can act seriously when need be, other than that it was tedious. It is an imitation of Kaufman. A warmed over one at that. Will Ferrell gave a noted performance, proving that he can act seriously when need be, other than that it was tedious.

]]> By: Rishi http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-125 Rishi Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:34:12 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-125 I am aware that this style extends beyond Kaufman. I wouldn't quite say that it is surrealism, but more of a magical realism. Most of the examples that I can think of are from literature (like Borges) rather than film. I used Kaufman as an example between it seems as though Stranger than Fiction attempted to be an imitation of Kaufman, a criticism that I still think is valid. I am aware that this style extends beyond Kaufman. I wouldn’t quite say that it is surrealism, but more of a magical realism. Most of the examples that I can think of are from literature (like Borges) rather than film.

I used Kaufman as an example between it seems as though Stranger than Fiction attempted to be an imitation of Kaufman, a criticism that I still think is valid.

]]> By: James http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-124 James Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:19:09 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/2007/02/27/dvd-of-the-week-stranger-than-fiction/#comment-124 Is Jessica Biel in this movie? Because if not, I'm not interested. In all seriousness, I also recommend this fine film. Personally, I feel like the jump to compare it to the work of Kaufman is a tad premature, as I'm sure the postmodern approach to filmmaking has been mined before. "The French Lieutenant's Woman" or "Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story" are fine examples of other movies that utilize this strategy; "Stranger Than Fiction" has more for company besides Kaufman's work, as acclaimed as it (rightfully) is. They all blur fact and fiction and cause us as viewers to ask what is ultimately real. And by that I mean "real" in a universal sense as opposed to the strictly plotwise elements. Is Jessica Biel in this movie? Because if not, I’m not interested.

In all seriousness, I also recommend this fine film. Personally, I feel like the jump to compare it to the work of Kaufman is a tad premature, as I’m sure the postmodern approach to filmmaking has been mined before. “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” or “Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story” are fine examples of other movies that utilize this strategy; “Stranger Than Fiction” has more for company besides Kaufman’s work, as acclaimed as it (rightfully) is. They all blur fact and fiction and cause us as viewers to ask what is ultimately real. And by that I mean “real” in a universal sense as opposed to the strictly plotwise elements.

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