Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Kristin Chenoweth, Linda Hunt, Maggie Gyllenhaal ...( see more  see more... ) , Queen Latifah , Tom Hulce , Tony Hale , Will Ferrell

An IRS auditor has his life interrupted by the sound of a personal narrator who knows his every thought, feeling and action, including when and where he will die.

Flixster Users

82% liked it

370,796 ratings

Critics

72% liked it

165 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Marc Forster

Release Date: November 10, 2006

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DVD Release Date: February 27, 2007

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Stats: 35,749 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (35,749)


  • October 11, 2009
    Very funny and original movie about a man who hears a female voice narrating his every move. Will is very comical. It is also good to see Emma as the quirky narrator.
  • September 3, 2009
    This film didn't really make much sense to me, it did have its funny moments, just not enough to make it a great film. An odd choice for Marc Forster to direct and a misconceived idea by Zach Helm.
  • June 29, 2009
    So, another comedic actor is trying his hand at drama? Yes and he's making it work.

    I must admit, when I first read about this film, I envisioned something different. I had initially imagined a male voice (similar to that of Mort Crim. Anyone who's heard Little Acorns from The ...( read more)White Stripes album Elephant may know him through the opening monologue) who Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) suddenly starts hearing and it would later be revealed that the entire world was fictional, with the narrator reading this book (filled with Harold's demands to know who the voice was) to a class.
    Not that I didn't enjoy what's being offered here.

    What the story does involve, however, is very similar. Harold Crick suddenly starts to hear a voice in his head, narrating his life (the voice being provided by Emma Thompson, who should do more narrative work as she suits it quite well. Though she also does quite well when the camera is on her) and Harold finds out someone is writing a book and he is the unwitting central character. Along the way, he learns to loosen up a little and explore a relationship with Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal, who I just love to death).
    I find the concept to be quite clever, especially when Harold demands to know who the voice is or for the voice to leave him alone and the author writes it as him shouting at the heavens.

    Despite the fact it is part comedy, Will Ferrell is pretty much the straight man here, reacting as opposed to initiating (for the most part). He has to take early abuse from Maggie (his character works for the IRS) and keep things serious. Even when he is allowed to emote a little more, it's an understandable rage at his situation. Will's proven he can go beyond the normal "man-child" roles, even if he does a great job with those. Here's hoping he'll branch out and do more drama roles in the future.

    If I have one criticism, it's with Queen Latifah's character. It's not just the fact that I dislike Queen Latifah and feel she fails to impress in just about anything I've seen her in, it's also that her character does nothing noteworthy. She's essentially there to motivate Emma Thompson's character to finish her book, which she does on her own. What would have made for more interesting viewing was to have a younger version of the author appear and remind her of first writing experiences as motivation (would have worked too, barely any characters see Latifah's character so you could swap them with little trouble).

    All in all, a nice little dramedy. Hopefully we'll see more of its type in the future.
  • December 19, 2008
    Visually stunning and has a clever, imaginative concept for the plot.
    Screenplay and direction are quite good up until the half, where everything slows down and turns a little too sentimental, in a cheap Spielberg-like sort of way.
    For once, Will Ferrell plays a contained and int...( read more)eresting character.
  • November 16, 2008
    This movie wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I can't stand Will Ferrell, but this movie was actually pretty good compared to most movies he does. The cast was good as well.
  • February 4, 2010
    I really liked this movie. Will Ferrell, as much as i love him, is not his usual ridiculous self and actually puts in a great performance. With an all star cast and a strange and captivating story this is one movie you shouldn't miss. top stuff.
  • February 3, 2010
    great attention to detail and continuity. i fully enjoyed this movie
  • January 31, 2010
    Story of this movie is quite different and very nicely handled.
  • January 25, 2010
    I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this unusual movie.
  • January 17, 2010
    I can't decide if I want to see this or not.

Critic Reviews


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Comments


  • JewelFire
    June 5, 2007
    I loved seeing Will play a more serious character. The scene where he cries is heartbreaking! It proves what a great actor he is.
  • clairebandaids
    April 7, 2007
    Buster + Space Camp = Win
  • SupaHezza
    March 4, 2007
    i saw this movie last night it is awesome, will ferrell is awesome in it, another great performance from dustin hoffman and the lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal was absloutely awesome in this movie, im suprised i hadnt heard more about it up and till then.
  • tbelyea1
    March 1, 2007
    poignant and creative. could be the best i've seen will ferrell and maggie and emma were up to their usual best. great screenplay!
  • bbabygurl10459
    February 25, 2007
    me and one of bf saw it and we laugh off our heads til the end thts when we fell apart
  • humanstatue
    February 2, 2007
    A really good movie. The previews draw you in and make you think its gonna be all about comedy, but its not. Its actually a comedy drama that really gets you thinking.
  • astrowop
    January 31, 2007
    funny and diffirent
  • Donegal
    December 19, 2006
    I really liked this movie.

    I bet the reason alot of people didn't like it is because they went to expecting it be another "dumb humor" kind of movie, and it's just NOT. There is more to this movie than just humor, and I guess some people can't appreciate that, especially when that is what they were expecting.
  • HotMormonGirl
    November 14, 2006
    I can't wait to see it, and Emma Thompson is way cool! Go Emma!
  • dork22
    November 10, 2006
    This will be the best movie because Will Ferrell is in it he is the one the best actors!!

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Stranger Than Fiction Trivia


  • in which movie does will ferrel star as harold crick?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Will Ferrell strar as a man whose life was being narrated?  Answer »
  • In Stranger Than Fiction, when Harold first starts hearing the voice over what does he think is speaking to him?  Answer »
  • in the movie Stranger Than Fiction what was Harolds (will ferrel) last name?  Answer »

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