I saw the film, Stranger Than Fiction, with my son, Frank, tonight, and liked it enough that I thought I'd plug it here.  I hadn't really heard of it prior to this evening, but decided to give it a go since it was a Will Ferrell film, and it was quite a bit shorter than my next choice (and what is it with all of these 3-hour films, lately?!?)

Stranger Than Fiction was a really pleasant surprise.  Will Ferrell shows a lot more depth than I would have reckoned he had in him, while still being naturally funny and avoiding that self-aware-comedian-trying-a-bit-of-drama thing.  Maggie Gyllenhaal is remarkable, too, in her warmth and real connection to Ferrell's character.  There are also some great performances from Emma Thompson (naturally), and Dustin Hoffman, who I am really re-discovering, lately.  Hoffman was also spectacular, I thought, in I [Heart] Huckabee's, to which Stranger Than Fiction seems a kindred spirit.

Stranger Than Fiction is a smart, funny and uplifting story that deserves, and gets, some really top-class acting performances.  I wish there were more new movies like this that were available to typically film-ignorant slobs like me.  If you're looking for a really good film to make you laugh and think, I'd suggest you go see it!  Oh, and the soundtrack is particularly good, too, including tunes by Spoon, Wreckless Eric, The Clash, and even one of my all-time faves by The Jam!  Joy!