You don't have to answer that. But it's something to think about if you feel like deep thinking. This film doesn't
exactly think deeply, but it thinks. And it does so in the right way. I know it seems like a redundant message, live your
life to the fullest every day because you never know when you will die, and yes this film takes that message and makes it
the main point of the film, but it refreshes this message and never throws it in your face. It merely suggests it rather
than blatantly tells you to. And this is one reason why the film is so appealing. We saw this message in many previous films
but they all seemed over sentimental and silly. Not this one. It tells you things simply and quietly and lets you ultimately
decide things out for yourself.
The film is open ended and that's good. It lets you decide how to view what is
going on and how to interpret this film. If you are religious then Emma Thompson's Karen Eiffel is like God who controls
our lives, but if you aren't religious it does not shove this idea down your thoat. I am religious and I likended Miss Eiffel
to God. She has created characters much like God has created us, and her characters are all a part of some story, just like
we are in the story of the world. Karen's moment on top of the building where she seems to control the gardener's movements
make her seem even more God-like. She is torn with the issue of having to kill off one of her characters who just happens
to be a real person but doesn't know how to do it. Just as it might be with us, she has planned Harold's life out for him
and yet at the same time it is being written as he is living each day (this is for all you destiny and fate believers), much
as how some believe that God has everything planned out for us. I'm not saying that there is a religious undertone to the
film; religion and God are never mentioned. But depending on how you look at it, it is not secular exactly or atheistic or
agnostic. It is simply written so as not to make anyone mad or offend anyone, and this is good. That way you can see the
story your way and everyone is happy. The message is simple and makes sense. We often take life for granted, and the film
is warning us against this. But it's simply put and not overly done in silly Hollywood style a'la 'The Majestic', or even,
you could argue, 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Not that the latter is a bad film, it just tends to over present its message, unlike
'Fiction'.
Everything in this film seemed to click. Rarely do films feel like this. It is obvious that every cast
member enjoyed making this film (something you know I like to see) and every actor/actress is pitch perfect. The film is
expertly cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal is delightfully quirky and spunky as Ann Pascal, Dustin Hoffman seems like he was made to
be a professor instead of an actor, Will Ferrell is in his best role ever as Harold (and I typically don't like Will Ferrell's
films), and of course I love Emma Thompson. She is always outstanding and here is no exception. The script is witty and
funny and I loved the opinions that Karen gives Harold (I wonder how my life would be narrated) but I think they could have
used this more. The narration moves in and out of the film, which is fine, but I think they could have used it a little bit
more. I also thought the film could have been funnier. Not slapstick like, and certainly not like Mr. Ferrell's other films,
but it might have been a bit more funny. There isn't much of a soundtrack to comment on, but the little music that's there
adds to the quirkiness and cleverness of the film. It's nice background music but good enough to be noticed.
This
is a lovely film. It's sweet, charming, quirky, funny, clever, witty, and carries a good message which you should probably
heed. The characters are the most charming of any film that I have seen in a long time. You should definitely see this one.
I won't say that it's one of my favorites and I that I can watch it all the time because I have to be in the mood for films
like this. Luckily, this film would probably suit my mood at any time.
Best moment: Harold's watch goes on the fritz.
Worst moment: The ending
seems a bit maudlin, which begins at the moment that Harold realizes that he will die no matter what.
Best quote:
'I brought you flours.'
Why you should see it: It's fantastic. Everything clicks here. The acting is great, the
story is great, and it's funny. There's so much wit and charm and cleverness.
Why you should choose something else:
It might be too preachy for some. It's not as funny as it could be, and some people might not like the change in film that
Mr. Ferrell has made. This is not one of his typical films, not the dumb potty humor and witless banter we are used to with
him.
