Why Two Of Will Ferrell’s greatest Films Are Not Comedies. (Netflix Jewels)

Will Ferrell is a comedic genius, and arguably the greatest comedic actor of our lifetime. I am one of his biggest fans and find pretty much everything he does hilarious. So when I tell you that I was shocked when two of Will Ferrell’s dramas were two of his greatest performances, you’ll understand where I am coming from. Ferrell’s Everything Must Go and Stranger Than Fiction are two excellent films which are highlighted by Ferrell’s serious and moving performances; with the latter being his best.

Everything Must Go-2010

This semi-mellow film has its comedic moments but is definitely on the more serious side. In the film, Ferrell plays Nick Halsey, a recovering alcoholic. After getting fired from his job (due to alcoholic outburst), Nick comes home to find his wife has changed the locks and left all his belongings on the front lawn. Hitting rock bottom, Nick decides to live on his front lawn, setting up a little home outside. His cop friend, Frank Garcia, instructs him to have a yard sale in order to make the lawn-living legal.  Nick enlists a young boy to help with the sale and the boy begins to become his best friend. A love-interest across the street helps Nick begin to sell his stuff and move on with his life.

Ferrell gives an awesome performance. His performances balances the seriousness of Nick’s situation with the classic humor and wittiness we love from Ferrell. As Nick completely breaks down and hits rock bottom, we feel for him and this is all due to Ferrell’s performance. Nick finds away to throw around quick and snobby remarks which makes us not feel as bad for him as we should to start. But Nick’s hard to love personality draws us in, making us love him so much more at the end.

Sex: Very little sexual content

Violence: None

Language: very little language

Drugs: A lot of drinking
Rated: R
Run time: 96 minutes
Grade: 3 Stars

Stranger Than Fiction-2006

This film was Ferrell’s first dance in drama. In the film, Ferrell plays Harold Crick, an IRS auditor who suddenly finds himself the subject of narration only he can here. As an author is writing her book, she begins to narrate his life; thus, affecting his work, love interest, and maybe even his death. Crick is a bland and mindless person who gets a kick out numbers and audits. That is until the narration begins. As he starts to hear the narration of his life, Crick begins to break out of his mold as the issue of free will is made very cloudy. As part of his life story, Crick begins to fall for one of his audit customers, Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Crick is so uptight that it almost makes you uncomfortable. Thankfully for him and for us, he begins to break out of his shell and the results are awesome. Ferrell nails the role and is perfect as the stuck up nerd, laughing at math jokes. He then beautifully graduates to a much more relatable person as he begins to really live his life. While Crick struggles with his impending death, Ferrell flourishes in the role. Ferrell is quirky and lovable in his performance. He has help from his supporting cast, including Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Gyllenhall, Queen Latifah and Emma Thompson.

Sex: Little sexual content

Violence: Little violence

Language: Very little language

Drugs: None
Rated: PG-13
Run time: 113 minutes
Grade: 3.5 Stars