Review: 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'

We all daydream. I remember my daydreams vividly from when I was a kid, to the ones I've had within the last week. Walter Mitty's daydreams are no different from ones I've had and, I'm sure, many others as well. And you know what, that's one of the few things this movie really got right. There are scenes and moments from 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' that are mirrored almost directly from real life, with little romanticization. Those daydreams of being a hero, beating up the bully you've always despised (in the most epic of ways), or those first awkward conversations you have with a girl you really like. All these things are a delight to see accurately represented on screen; We've all been in those situations, and understand what it's like. So when it comes time for our hero to 'stop daydreaming, and start living', it's almost reassuring in a way that the same thing(s) can even happen to us in our own future, so long as we allow it to happen for ourselves.

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) works for Life Magazine, in the department of film development. Many things are happening around him in his life: A new girl (Kristen Wiig) has caught Walter's eye, the magazine is under the threat of shutdown (moving on to the digital age), and he's helping his mother out with some new living accommodations. To add the icing on the cake, so to speak, a roll of film from legendary photographer, Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn), has been shipped to Walter, with a missing negative. Walter must break out of his little secret world of dreams in order to find both the film and himself.

I admired this movie. I love it when you anticipate something to be good and turns out it actually is, instead of being an underwhelming experience. The passion for life and living life to it's fullest was depicted really well in this film. People who say the film has got very little to do with the original short story, or that it's very inconsistent with what it's anticipated to be, I'm just glad that there is still a story here which I can follow and be inspired by.

One really cogent and significant thing about this movie, from a technical standpoint, was the fact that it was shot on film and not digital. With the movie's actual story centered around the old fashioned ways being the best way, it was all the more appealing. Everything looked grand, luscious and desirable. That is, ironically, everything outside of Walter's fantasies. I give major props to the director of photography, Stuart Dryburgh, who I believe deserves an Oscar nomination for cinematography. His images and visuals are astonishing, beautiful and yet surprisingly simple, for the most part. Half the time, when Walter was on his journeys, it reminded me in many ways the look of 'Never Cry Wolf' (1983); both films would let the images and landscapes speak for themselves, without letting the camera do all the work, tricks and all. With no computer imagery or green screen tricks, the actual location shots with the main character is really a sight to see.

There's been a lot of talk and rumors that this might be the last time Ben Stiller appears on screen, as he possibly retires from acting, and transitions into full-time directing. Either way, after seeing this movie, I can't wait to see what he has in store next.

My rating: 3 / 4