Stranger Than Fiction (2000)

Good concept, poorly executed.

Best movie ever!

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

This is a psychological-caper movie that is hard to pull off. The best example of this genre I can think of is The Usual Suspects. The worst example would be Wild Things.The movie succeeds in the casting of Dina Meyer, she looks great, and even has an impressive musical performance in the beginning. Both the female leads are good, while the men are fine but interchangeable. Also the movie was pretty funny till the last 30 minutes.It fails in not setting a consistent tone. Most of the story comes off as an over the top dark comedy told during a conversation between two men waiting for a plane. The last part of it turns very serious, by then it was obvious to me what was going on and I wanted the movie to be done with.This movie is very similar to Wild Things. If you liked the frequent and extreme plot twists from that movie then I would recommend it. I found this much more entertaining.

This is the first time I have felt incensed enough to write a review. This film takes a new genre, successfully done in films like 'Best Laid Plans' and 'Go', and copies everything done so far. And the 'twist', oh come on! I saw that coming the day before I watched the movie.In short, if you haven't already seen Go, then Go see that instead of this piece of crap.

I rented this because it seemed original and had a potentially good story. I wasn't sure what the story really was all about, but I was in a rush, and needed something quick. Maybe I should have slowed down a bit....First, my customary plot summary. (Past reviews of mine usually follow the same format. Not like you care, but that doesn't matter. You've read my comment and now you can't unread it....I'm sorry, I'm drifting.) Anyhow!! The story starts in an airport bar with an author talking with a man next to him. They start talking about his writing, and his recent book, "Stranger Than Fiction." Then he starts to delve into the story, which is, basically, about four twenty-somethings that get involved in a murder, and the perilous downward spiral their lives go in as an effect. It goes deeper than that, much deeper, but I'll spare you all the details, only because I rambled enough before and am catching myself doing it again.As for my reactions...Well, the movie didn't thrill me. First of all, it was way too long for such a plotline. And as for the plotline...well, I couldn't figure out at all where this movie was going! It starts as a "thrust into treachery" sort of tale, but then it starts to get funny. Some of the humor is appropriate, but if this isn't a comedy...then it didn't fit. But then, it gets into this thriller-comedy-drama thing, and really gets confusing. By then, I was starting to get tired and figured the end was near. But then it gets twisted, then dramatic--then goes into this Part Two that seemed totally tacked on! It was almost like the "Part Two" seemed to be one of a few choices to be the last 30% of the movie. I don't know, it was just getting too contrived then, and sort of tense, but by then, I gave up on this one. There are a few good things. Good acting, effective music, an obvious-yet-not twist in the end (though, the cast list gives it away a little bit) and the way the movie would go into the alternate, film-negative sort of look was creative. But didn't save this messy film.Check it out for originality, but I hate to say that it really isn't that good. So, you be the judge.

This movie is about mob behavior in a mob of only four.Very original movie about four friends who move from situation to situation with a murder being the solution. Of course the situations are contrived but isn't "tongue in cheek" always so. Still very much worth watching for its originality and acting.