Stranger Than Fiction

[ATP]

[After checking the forum archives, this film now appears to have its own thread. Ta da!]

Tonight I watched STF on dvd again - now, going onto maybe 6 times. And, I never get bored with it. I wonder why?

Script-wise:

Yes-it is as one reviewer called it Charlie Kaufmann-lite;

Yes-its premise is interesting, while the script is underpinned by a good balance of both intellect and story-telling;

Yes-it feels 'good' both for the writer and the audience

Yes-it feels like it has been solidly worked on eg. someone took the time to make it 'coherent';

Yes-it treats its central characters not as caricatures but with humanity

Yes-it might be a little maudlin at places but this is appropriate and has more to do with it resonating with the larger idea which seems to be there hovering at the right distance in the background;

Yes-it had some nice touches of humour and pathos eg. protagonist's statement of affection for his love interest and his offering her flowers in the form of a variety of flours;

Yes-the threads of the sub-plot were quite well-handled;

Visually/Stylistically:

Yes-it had a certain freshness and variety.

In summary-

STF while not a 'classic' film, is one where the parts come together well - script, acting, direction, visual style.

[Rainy Night]

I thought this was an excellent film. I'd put it in my top 10 favorites.

[ATP]

I am surprised. To date, a 'fair few' have read this post, and one has posted favourable comment.

Am I to assume that very few people here have actually seen Stranger Than Fiction?

If you felt that the points I raised about the script are in error/misguided/misinformed, then, please, feel free to state why so. I am interested to read some reasoned views to the contrary...

[Melanie Lane]

They were giving it away for free at the video rental store when you rented another movie. Because it was free, I was worried that it would be horrible. But I watched it last night, and I must say, while not one of my favorites (I'm more of an action/adventure kind of gal) it was 'totally rad' compared to the other movie I rented...

I watched some of the commentaries as well, and they mentioned rewriting for the sake of clearity and coherence.

I was just wondering if anyone on the boards ever been sent a 'Penny' from their publisher to help them with writer's block :)

[Plot Device]

Here's a cool article to read concerning this film. It's from the blog of a script agent. He talks about his task of training newbie readers on how to navigate the slush pile. About finding "that one cherry pie in the mountains of feces that come through the agency every day." Evidently STF was a first-sale for a new writer. And Will Farrell of all people picked it up. And this blogger decided to test a newbie script reader last year (before STF was relased) by showing him this script.

http://twoadverbs.blogspot.com/2007/03/outsider-comes-inside.html

[ALLWritety]

Howdy
I just saw it over the weekend. I loved the story and the concecpt. I too thought that over all it was very well done.

As for the writer he is long time friends with an established producer so I am sure that "HELPED" the sale!

Kev

[Chumplet]

My daughter saw it at the theatre and recommended that I see it. I haven't got the money yet to rent it but I intend to.

[Rainy Night]

Zach Helm wrote the script, here's a little bio (from Wikipedia) on him:

Zach Helm (born January 21, 1975) is an American writer and film director, dubbed "the new Charlie Kaufman" and one of the "brightest" screenwriters working today, according to Variety, Empire and Esquire magazines.

He graduated from The Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University with a degree in acting in 1996.

He has had two plays - Last Chance For A Slow Dance and Good Canary - produced professionally. His debut screenplay, Stranger than Fiction, was directed by Marc Forster and was released on November 10, 2006. A slightly-surreal mixture of comedy and tragedy, the film stars Will Ferrell and Dustin Hoffman. In 2007, he will make his directorial debut with Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, the script for which he also wrote himself. The film stars Jason Bateman, Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman.

He is currently working on Thomas Johnson, centering on a man who is possibly a serial killer, for Imagine Television and Twentieth Century Fox Television, as well as an adaptation of the book This is Serbia Calling. His script The DisAssociate is being developed by Warner Bros. The story follows a man who receives postcards from God, and was described by Vanity Fair magazine as a "whimsical story ... told in the manner of a raunchy, 70s-style comedy".

Helm was raised in Pike, California. He is currently engaged to the actress Kiele Sanchez. He was previously engaged to Lucy Liu.