“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” Movie Review

December 28, 2013

(Dreamy)

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I read the short story and it was interesting. The movie is a bit different, and obviously expanded, except for the fact that it deals with a somewhat timid man who escapes reality by daydreaming adventures. In the short story, Walter is escaping his domineering wife, in the movie he is escaping his boring life.

Ben Stiller (as Walter Mitty) is perfect. Walter works at Life Magazine in it’s final days (assuming it’s final days are now, not 20 years ago) as it shifts to an online presence. Kristen Wiig (Cheryl Melhoff) is likewise perfect as Walter’s potential love interest at Life (and on eHarmony). Between them we, the audience, come to understand Walter’s life and character.

Sean Penn (as reclusive, secretive, old fashioned, Life photographer, Sean O’Connell) sends negatives of photographs for the last paper edition with special attention to negative 25. Unfortunately, negative 25 is missing, prompting Walter to find it.

To find negative 25, Walter has to embark on a REAL adventure to find Sean. During his adventure, Walter comes out of his shell, and fills out his eHarmony profile with the help of Todd (Patton Oswalt) from eHarmony who calls Walter wherever he goes. THAT is very funny by the way.

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is an excellent movie. It is an interesting character study, a realistic look at a company being taken over by another company (yes, I have been there, done that), and a travel-log filled with spectacular scenery of Iceland (and Afghanistan). I left the movie wanting more: More of the characters (Walter, Cheryl, and Sean), and most definitely more Iceland scenery.

OK for the entire family. No cursing. Funny and touching with spectacular scenery…did I say that already? 🙂

Go to IMDb for more information. We watched this at the Tracy, CA CineMark theater.