This is a wonderful, thoughtful movie displaying an alternate side of Will Farell. He finds himself trapped as a character in a book, doing everything that the author writes him to do, her not knowing this is happening to him. He begins to hear voices narrating his simple, solitary life. He meets with a professor and has no luck. Long story short, he has to discover how to live life to the fullest. The movie was filled with complex themes and bits of humor. Most ten and eleven year olds could watch it, but the subtly of the humor might go over their heads. The end was touching and beautifully written.
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Stranger Than Fiction
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Touching dramedy about living life to the fullest.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Stranger Than Fiction
Parents need to know that plenty of kids will want to see this movie thanks to star Will Ferrell. It's not his usual silly comedy routine, though. Instead, the film explores some fairly heavy concepts about life and death. Novelist Karen Eiffel is a depressed chain-smoker, and Harold Crick (Ferrell's character) is a loner who suffers severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Read our full review by Jane Boursaw
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the meaning of life. No, really. This movie is all about living life to the fullest and not sitting carefully on the sidelines while everyone else has all the fun. On the flip side, how can you have fun and experience new things but stay safe at the same time?
Our Members Say
See all 28 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
Humor too subtle for most kids
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
Good movie. (:
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
Brilliant!
this film was really heartwarming. i saw this when i was 9 and i really liked this film. great for anyone
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
intriguing and surprising
My husband and I stumbled on this move while channel surfing and were hooked on its neat premise--a man discovers his life has been created by an author. We thought our kids (8,10 & 12)would like it and we were right--especially our 8-year-old! He thought the idea of having your life narrated was hysterical. Since they all like to read, the idea of an author creating a person's existence, and of the character trying to control the outcome of the story, was very cool for them. The point about connecting with people and taking chances was not lost on them, but the parts that were too mature were very brief and basically went right over their heads. We are still quoting from and laughing about this movie, weeks later. A find! However, I think most kids would be most interested in this film after age 10 or 11. It's not the usual slapstick Farrell.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Touching!
This is not like Will. When you watch this movie don't expect to laugh very much, like you would at Blades of Glory but more than that expect to cry. It is about making the best of life with the time that you have here on earth, its about living, and having relationships and just expeirencing it to the fullest. It isn't the best movie i've ever seen but it kept me thinking for a while. And when you get to the end you'll begin to love Harold in a way that you never thought you would. It's okay for anyone 12+.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
The best movie ever.
Kids say that this movie is boring. I just think its not a kids movie. Thats all. The movie deals with heavy situations of life and death. I think thatthis is one of the best movies ever. But i do think C.S. made 1 mistake. For cussing there is more than shut up you stupid voice. Theres the D word and the F word. But kids just need to know that this isn't Will Ferals funnier movies.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
this movie was really boring. i wouldnt recommend it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
i laughed
i thought this movie was ok, there was some funny parts in it but lots of boring parts as well. this is ok for kids but but the younger ones will find this boring.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great movie.
This was a great movie that I think anyone over 10 should see. Will Ferrel is great as Harold, and Emma Thompson is one of the best actresses I've seen this year (top is Imelda Staunton in HP5). Warning: It's very suspenseful near the end, so you might want to tell a younger kid that everything turns out okay. I don't get emotional in movies or books, but I nearly cried when I thought Harold would die because he's such a well-drawn character who you grow to love. Some making out, no shown sex, one curse, and some heaaaaavy suspense. Good for 10+, a movie that all should see.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
good stuff
it was a smart, clever dramadey with good acting and funny jokes.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
It is Ok for kids.
There is one sex part where they show Harold and Ana making out and it cuts of when they fall aslep together (nothing explicit). There is male but and a few curse words like f--k,t--s and s--t. It is only a cople times though. Watch it with your kid. It might be a little boring for 10-12 year olds. You should rent it and watch it with your family. Hopefully your family will enjoy it. There is also a violent part where a character gets hit by a bus. A little blood is shown but it is OK breif moment.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Entertaining-but kids may not like it
I would say this movie is okay for about 11+, but that doesn't mean that they will all like it. It's entertaing and funny, but the humor is more subtle and ironic. This is a more dramatic movie than anything Will Ferrell has done before, so don't go there expecting Zoolander. But it is entertaining, and pretty kid-appropriate.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
It was awsome and kind of boring
I thought it was a good movie but there was some parts were it should have been funny. I think if there would have has Ellen DeGernrous as the narriorater it would have been funner
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
FANTASTIC!
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Awesome!
It was awesome! Although, the ending made me cry a little.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Very deep; very... not Will Ferrell.
This is not the typical Will Ferrell movie. However, it is still extremely good. There's some smoking by Emma Thompson's character to ease her nerves, as well as her constant thoughts of suicide. ***SPOILER: Emma Thompson's character changes the ending of her book to save Will Ferrell's life, showing that she has a heart.*** Will finds true love... although with premarital sex. There's mentions of breasts (staring at them, anyway), but they fall in love, so I guess it's OK. XP I thought it was a fantastic movie... not too many plot holes. Some very tender moments, as well.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
a good movie!
this is a really good movie because it is hilarious!!!
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