Today’s quick review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), an ordinary man who dreams of travel and adventure, works as a photo processor for Life Magazine. When a mix-up leaves him without a cover photograph for the magazine’s last issue, Walter must embark on an adventure of his own to track down Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn), the globe-trotting freelance photographer who submitted the missing photo.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a heartfelt comedy adventure about following your dreams. Walter Mitty is an inveterate daydreamer with a crush on Cheryl (Kristen Wiig), his new coworker. A mishap at work forces him out of his ordinary routine and onto an unpredictable journey to track down an elusive photographer. The movie offers a likable protagonist, an endearing story, and a dusting of light comedy.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’s most distinctive feature is its daydream sequences. Walter frequently zones out and dreams of a more exciting life. These moments are imaginative but peculiar: the knowledge that they are just fantasies takes away from their impact, while their presence casts doubt on the reality of other events in the film. Taken on their own terms, they are enjoyable diversions, but they are there for flavor rather than content.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has a bittersweet tone. Walter’s daydreams compensate for a life of compromise, from a job he loves and a boss he doesn’t to his wistful, tentative romance with Cheryl. The movie is ultimately an optimistic one, but it is tinged with a sense of regret that sets it apart from more purely feel-good comedies. The story itself is a personal adventure that has a few nice twists and a touch of romance.
Watch The Secret Life of Walter Mitty when you are in the mood for a poignant comedy with a healthy sense of imagination. Skip it if you are looking for a more hilarious comedy or more meaningful elements of fantasy. For another comedy with a similarly mixed tone, check out The Bucket List or The Truman Show.
7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a sweet story and entertaining adventure.