Stranger Than Fiction

Ferrell stars as milquetoast everyman Harold Crick, a Chicago IRS agent living a tiny little life, which he suddenly starts hearing his life narrated by a British-accented woman. Harold appears to be a character in writer Kay Eiffel's (Thompson) latest book in which that character is supposed to die. Except neurotic Kay has terrible writer's block and can't think of an appropriate way to kill him. Harold, real or imaginary, doesn't want to die and seeks the services of literature professor Jules Hilbert (Hoffman), who advises Harold to do what he's always wanted to do, prompting Harold to turn to feisty baker Ana (Gyllenhaal). Good move, Harold. Cast is first-rate but, remember, Ferrell is supposed to be low-key.