"There is wisdom in turning as often as possible from the familiar to the unfamiliar: it keeps the mind nimble, it kills prejudice, and it fosters humor." - George Santayana, philosopher (1863-1952)
I saw Stranger Than Fiction the other weekend. You may have seen the ads; it's about Harold Crick, an IRS auditor who suddenly finds his life being narrated by a voice that only he can hear. However, rather than being a one-joke movie, like a Saturday Night Live skit stretched out to feature length, it turned out to be surprisingly thoughtful and touching.
I'm glad that the story wasn't overpowered by the whole "narration schtick", but instead focussed on the main character's attempts to make sense of his life, break routines, and take control of his destiny. Will Ferrell gave a great reined-in performance, making the transition from a blank bewildered slate to a man finding the joy in the smallest things. There's a very sweet scene with him and Maggie Gyllenhaal, when he quietly serenades her with his guitar in an attempt to win her over. Emma Thompson was also great in the film, playing against type as a bitter suicidal author who needs to break some routines of her own.
I think a lot of us are guilty of being creatures of habit; I can't start my day without my usual grande dark roast and blueberry bar. Routines give us the illusion that we are in control of our destiny. It's only when we start making small deviations from our routine that we begin to enjoy life. Lately, as I have begun experimenting more and more with photography, I have started taking alternate routes home from work. I've started to really look at the city I live in with a fresh eye, and as a result, I appreciate it more.
That said, I'll always enjoy the typical comedic obnoxious egomaniac Will Ferrell characters, even if the movies are starting to follow a pretty standard formula. For proof, just check out the Will Ferrell Movie Generator here.
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