Movie Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

On it's second week, this film still continues to pursue the clear message of embracing life for what it is.

Ben Stiller has been known for his comedies and antics with hits like Zoolander, Tropic Thunder, and The Night at the Museum films. However, his latest movie entry takes a seat back at just pure laughs, and shows us a little insight on what life can be like if we dare to live it out without having to recoil to our wildest fantasies and safety nets.

Based on James Thurber's short story of the same name, Ben Stiller's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is actually the second time the work has been adapted into film, with the very first treatment starring Danny Kaye and directed by Norman Z. McLeod released way back in 1947. Directed, produced, and starring Stiller himself in the titular role, the 2013 film is a very different narrative from the source material, but shares the very unique message that you can't live out life unless you break away from your shell. Here's the review for this literal "change of pace" movie, and thanks goes to 20th Century Fox PH and Warner Bros. PH for the screening!

Movie: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Release Date: December 25, 2013 (US), January 22, 2014 (RP)

Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wig, Adam Scott, Sean Penn

Directed By: Ben Stiller

Working as a negative assets manager for LIFE Magazine, Walter Mitty doesn't have any special save for his daydreaming where he fantasizes extreme scenarios where he plays out the hero part and gets the girl of his dreams, an officemate by the name of Cheryl (Kristen Wig). Unfortunately when Life is undergoing a transition and downsizing thanks to his obnoxious new boss Ted Hendricks (Adam Scott), Walter will have to break out of his dreamscape to find a missing negative that Photojournalist Sean O' Connell (Sean Penn) has sent for the cover their very last issue. Travelling to Greenland and eventually the Himalayas, Walter's journey will teach him to stop dreaming and truly start living.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Official Trailer #2
It took a long time to get this movie developed, but I can certainly say that Ben Stiller's vision and interpretation of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" does a grand job of giving us something to reflect and ponder upon on what is truly an individual's "meaning of life". To break out of our comfort zone and fantasies and live everyday for what it truly is begs no reward or punishment, but rather the realization that we can chart our own paths and take on what the world and everyone in it has to offer. It's character of Ben to play the nonsensical guy who is the butt of jokes and woes from the start... But once he comes out of his shell, he realizes he can grasp his own identity and not rely on those "failsafes" to comfort him from the problems he doesn't want to face in real life. When he finally does get to meet and interact with Sean Penn, one of the most pivotal and inspiring lines uttered by the co-star holds ground - "Beautiful things don't ask for attention". Indeed... You just have to embrace the moment and take it in for what it is.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is now playing in theaters.

Rating - 4/5