I.R.S. auditor Harold Crick suddenly finds himself the subject of narration only he can hear: narration that begins to affect his entire life, from his work, to his love-interest, to his death.
Everybody knows that your life is a story. But what if a story was your life? Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) is your average I.R.S. Agent: monotonous, boring, and repetitive. But one day this all changes when Harold begins to hear an author inside of his head narrating his life. The narrator it is extraordinarily accurate, and Harold recognizes the voice as an esteemed author he saw on television. But when the narration reveals that he is going to die, Harold must find the author of the story, and ultimately his life, to convince her to change the ending of the story before it is too late.Written by
the lexster
The last names of all of the characters (and the bus line and publishing firm names) are the names of mathematicians, scientists, engineers, artists, et cetera, (Harold) Francis Crick, with Watson and Wilkins, found the structure of DNA; (Ana) Blaise Pascal, French mathematician and philosopher; (Karen) Gustave Eiffel, engineer and designer of the Eiffel Tower; (Penny) M.C. Escher, Dutch graphic artist; (Dr.) Magnus Gustaf Mittag-Leffler, Swedish mathematician; (Professor Jules) David Hilbert, German mathematician; (Doctor) Gerardus Mercator, sixteenth century Flemish cartographer; (Kronecker Bus Line) Leopold Kronecker, German-born mathematician and logician; (Banneker Press) Benjamin Banneker, free African-American mathematician, astronomer, clockmaker, and publisher; (Dr. Cayly) Arthur Cayley, nineteenth century British mathematician. Even Dave (no last name) seems to be a reference to the main character from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). It is speculated that these characters can possibly be the "heroes" of the writer. See more »
Goofs
When Harold runs up to Ana with the flours, the front of the cardboard box he is holding is creased. The box is uncreased moments later in a close-up. See more »
Quotes
Dr. Mittag-Leffler:
Mr. Crick, you have a voice speaking to you.
Harold Crick:
No, not to me - about me. I'm somehow involved in some sort of story, like I'm a character in my own life. But, the problem is that the voice comes and goes, like there are other parts of the story not being told to me. And I need to find out what those other parts are before it's too late.
Dr. Mittag-Leffler:
Before the story concludes with your death.
Harold Crick:
Yes.
Dr. Mittag-Leffler:
[clears throat]
Mr. Crick, I hate to sound like a broken record, but that's schizophrenia.
Harold Crick:
You don't sound like a ...
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Crazy Credits
During the end credits, the names of the characters and the actors who played them were displayed against stylized images of the places where the characters worked. See more »
This movie was such a great surprise! I saw this at an advanced screening just days after suffering through Marie Antoinette. What a pleasant escape! The cast did an outstanding job. Who doesn't love Will Ferrell, but to see him in this role gives me a whole new level of respect for him as an actor. He simply shines on screen! Maggie Gyllenhaal is a delight. Emma Thompson is brilliant as always. Simply wonderful! The writing was terrific. It was so nice to see a movie that could make you laugh and think (not too hard) at the same time. Direction was well done as well - it was even visually appropriate.
Go see it and take a friend. You will laugh and be happy for a change after leaving a movie.
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This movie was such a great surprise! I saw this at an advanced screening just days after suffering through Marie Antoinette. What a pleasant escape! The cast did an outstanding job. Who doesn't love Will Ferrell, but to see him in this role gives me a whole new level of respect for him as an actor. He simply shines on screen! Maggie Gyllenhaal is a delight. Emma Thompson is brilliant as always. Simply wonderful! The writing was terrific. It was so nice to see a movie that could make you laugh and think (not too hard) at the same time. Direction was well done as well - it was even visually appropriate.
Go see it and take a friend. You will laugh and be happy for a change after leaving a movie.