Stranger Than Fiction

In the film, Stranger than Fiction, director, Marc Forster demonstrated the concept that the inevitability of fate is often presupposed. However, in reality, the small, seemingly insignificant acts can influence, and eventually alter the outcomes in life. His development of the main characters, Harold and Karen, the filming techniques used, and the use of motifs, imagery and symbolism augmented the strength of this idea. Additionally, the manner in which Forster developed the plot, and the application of point of view, mood, tone, and setting, as well as the specific lines and dialogue throughout the film supported this theme.

Harold Crick was a structured man living in a world of “endless calculations” (Stranger than Fiction). To maximize …show more content…
The most significant application of such techniques was seen in Stranger than Fiction’s sets, which characterized by two main designs; they were either impeccably desolate, harbouring an empty aura, or filled with copious detail and props. In earlier sets such as Harold Crick's apartment, the area was devoid of excessive details, having little objects aside very standard household goods. The opposite is seen in later sets such as Mrs. Pascal’s house and bakery. In these sets the screen is filled to the brim with baked goods, newspaper clippings, and even people. This is a choice which presents a physical separation between the places of Harold Crick's life early on, and the places he was introduced to during the later part of the movie. Helping to give off the mood of happiness stemming from embracing change in life. The sameness that is kept in early settings is also reinforced by a removal of shadow. The lighting illuminates almost all shadow on the people, and a majority of shadow caused by objects. This enhances the mood of a scene by subtly causing things to appear more monotone, almost robotic. When shadow is added to standard events, it has a very small part to play in showing change in Harold’s life. Lighting is also utilized to …show more content…
Resulting from being thrust under the shadow of death, he was forced to learn to live life and pursue dreams. He is forced to learn to live life and pursue. He becomes confident in himself, learning what and who he wanted. While his acceptance of living life, he also gains an acceptance of his inevitable death. He learns to appreciate just what death can mean to people, and so learns to not resist death, but embrace it. The other character that sees great change due to plot is Karen Eiffel. Initially, she is very focused on death, even looking sickly and frail. She understands the value of person's death, but does not quite appreciate the value of a person's life. Towards the end of the book, she learns this value. She even looks more lively, exemplifying her new appreciation for life. The mood is also affected very deeply as the plot develops. The mood is at first very bland and has very little to show. It doesn’t emit any emotion or feeling. Later, though, it gains so much emotional depth. Like Harold's life, it changes from being basic to being dynamic and exciting. In a culmination of all of the film’s elements, the mood becomes uplifting and lively. The mood also gains a layer of depression. The mood becomes a combination of all of life's major emotions just as Harold’s life becomes filled with them. The happiness of truly living, the sadness of inevitable