Masterpiece of its type

This is, for me, the Groundhog Day of the 00s. It's a hugely engaging, quirky high-concept film which could have gone so horribly wrong in dozens of ways, and yet - it steers a path through all the potential traps to deliver something that is very funny, very moving and very memorable. Will Ferrell is perfectly cast as Harold Crick and rarely will you feel such empathy with a character in a film as he struggles to come to terms with the strange way in which his life is unfolding. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson bring a richness to their respective supporting roles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal is as winning as usual as the love interest.

The script contains just the right balance of humour, pathos and drama. The opening few minutes may irritate you, as you adjust to the eccentric style and tone of this film, but once it hits its stride, it's truly captivating. There's not quite enough for Queen Latifah to do, and there are a few sections which drag a tiny bit around the middle, but these are small criticisms of a masterly piece of work, which offers something genuinely different and refreshing. The scene in which Hoffman attempts to discern by interrogating Harold what the nature of the narrative is in which he is the hero - a comedy or a tragedy - is a standout moment at the heart of this clever and superb film. I think people will be talking about this film in years to come in the same affectionate manner as they do Groundhog Day. But history may prove me wrong on that. It's just a great example of a film which gets pretty much everything right, and the result is sheer entertainment.