a little while …

i watched this at the cinema yesterday.
nobody’s counting, but that’s 2 movies in 3 days – i think a personal record for me. i’ve always found the theatres uncomfortable and i’ve never really enjoyed going, so i’m not sure what motivated 2 trips in 3 days. it seems i lucked out big time, i totally loved both movies.

the easiest way to describe ’stranger than fiction’ is to say that it’s a less exaggerated, and much more enjoyable and endearing kind of ‘truman show’. will ferrell is cast perfectly in that kind of role, he doesn’t over-act, as jim carrey is wont to do, and there is as much emphasis on the supporting cast as there is on him.
i really loved how the whole narration picked up at the point in ferrell’s life when he was about to make the transition from a loveless irs automaton to an emoting guitar playing guy who loves a girl, all the while keeping me guessing whether lily tomlin’s (WTF? lily tomlin? emma thompson?) third person omniscient character was guiding his transition, or just documenting it. in the end, they’re each just playing earthly roles, her life is to narrate his.
essential for me to elevate a movie from ‘well done’ to ‘fucking a!’ is a captivating love story, like the one that evolves between ‘irs agent’ and ‘anarchist baker’ … the kind of randomness that plucks at heart strings: she bakes him cookies, he brings her a box of flowers.
if i could pick my favourite part in the movie it would be where harold crick in a burst of honesty and brevity says to ana pascal, “i want you.”