The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - A Movie Review

Sometimes imagination is an escape from reality.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a 2013 film. Walter Mitty is a man who spends most of his time in his fantasies. On a mission to save his company from laying off himself and others, Walter embarks on a mission to find a missing photograph that will keep the company from expiring. The adventure is more extraordinary than he ever imagined.

I have mixed opinions about The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I was about to give up on this movie because I didn’t think it would take itself seriously. Never judge a film in the first fifteen minutes. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty expresses two essential morals. Don’t be afraid to imagine, and always live in the moment.

Ben Stiller was superb in the film. Starring as the lead character, Walter Mitty is a unique man. Ignoring people’s judgment, Walter proves we can figure out our obstacles with imagination.

Walter zones out a lot. Does Walter have a condition? His mother and sister understand when he zones out. It’s okay that it’s not explained. It’s better to leave it up to the imagination.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has a good cast. Kristen Wiig is hilarious. Aside from her witty personality, she showcases her talented vocals. Her scenes with Stiller were so sweet.

More credits include Sean Penn, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn, Adrien Martinez, Jon Daly, and some clever cameos. Shirley McClaine plays Walter’s mother. Patton Oswalt is my favorite cameo as an eHarmony customer service agent.

Ben Stiller also had the directing reigns of the movie. The script went through several rewrites. Stiller’s direction style is a bit inconsistent. There are moments when the film feels slow and dragged out, particularly the fantasy sequences. I would have liked to have had more scenes with Walter’s family.

Some scenes could have been cut down to make the movie more concise - like the fantasy sequences. It was hard for me to take the film seriously. Seeing how Walter likes to imagine wild and creative scenarios, I didn’t know if some things were actually happening, like when Walter traveled to Greenland.

Some of the fantasy sequences were weird - like the Benjamin Button scenario. I was on the fence about continuing the movie. There’s also a scene where he jumps from a helicopter into shark-infested waters.

Keeping all the silly imagination episodes at the beginning, I am glad I kept watching. The imagination sequences equate to the movie’s tone. That doesn’t ruin it. It makes you pay attention better. Despite these flaws, I still enjoyed the movie.

It’s time to talk about the stunning cinematography and locations of the film. The film incorporates breathtaking landscapes and beautiful shots of Greenland. Speaking of which, filming occurred in Iceland. The visual effects are terrific as well. I would love to see how they created the entire video games fight.

Stiller explored the effect of morals on underdogs. You never know that your imagination just may save you. The ability to Imagine helped me become a more creative storyteller. The power of Imagination is what makes the movie worth a watch.

The soundtrack is also excellent with songs that perfectly complement the scenes. The story is heartwarming and inspiring, teaching us to live in the moment and take risks. Life is the most exciting adventure.

Not everyone will enjoy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, but I recommend it to those who like feel-good movies with an inspiring message. Check it out on HBO.