There’s fridge magnet philosophy a go-go in Ben Stiller’s latest about an ordinary guy with extraordinary fantasies of heroic adventure who finally decides to get busy livin’ when he embarks on a globe-trotting quest.
While there’s no denying The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty’s message will chime with many, its hero should have dreamed for something better than this
Originally a short story by James Thurber, The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty first appeared on screen in 1947 starring Danny Kaye as the titular everyman.
Apparently Thurber hated the script so much he voiced his disillusionment through the letter pages of Life, the magazine Walter (played by Stiller) works for in this remake.
Walter (Ben Stiller) disappears into a dram world, to the amusement of his boss (Adam Scott) in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Bean counters with identikit suits and beards (led by Adam Scott sporting the scariest facial hair since John Travolta in Killing Season) announce that Life is being turned into a web-only publication and half-heartedly motivate the people they’re firing to make sure its final newstand edition is the best yet. Not only is Walter’s job on the line, but that of his secret crush Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) too.
As much out of a desire to impress Cheryl than a knee-jerk attempt to save his job, Walter goes in search of esteemed photojournalist Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn, obviously) to track down the edition’s missing cover image – called the “quintessence of Life”.
One of Walter’s (Ben Stiller) numerous fantasies in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Walter’s quest takes him to Greenland, Iceland and Afghanistan and sees him jump out of a helicopter, almost get eaten by a shark, inadvertently skateboard towards a volcanic eruption and climb a great mountain as he finally starts living the dream instead of fantasising about it.
There can’t be many of us who haven’t, at some point, wanted to throw off the shackles of our daily lives and do the things we’ve spent so long going on about. To that end, The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty will chime with a lot of cinemagoers. Despite the stunning locations we’re treated to, however, the film ultimately feels a letdown.
Steve Conrad’s uneven script is very episodic and leads to a topsy-turvy narrative that threatens to stifle the emotional engagement you feel for Walter. In taking big strides to reach the desired end point for our hero, the film misses out on the little things that could and should have made this journey special.
Walter (Ben Stiller) with the object of his affection, co-worker Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
A life-changing and possibly dangerous section of Walter’s journey that takes him to the top of a mountain is (literally) written-off by Stiller as a series of bland and cheesy diary entries, while his eventual encounter with O’Connell is undermined by a rather heavy-handed metaphor involving a snow leopard.
While the first section of The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty feels very much like a Stiller movie (including a weird and genuinely funny Curious Case Of Benjamin Button fantasy sequence), the second half comes off as second-rate Wes Anderson, from the use of quick zooms, to long tracking shots and stylised montage. The soundtrack also screams ‘indie’ in an attempt to give the film an edge it never really earns.
Walter’s (Ben Stiller) on the adventure of a lifetime in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Stiller veers between low-key and over-the-top and, like the film itself, can’t seem to decide what he wants to go for. He’s a fine, if limited actor and you can’t help feeling he should have cast someone else and stayed behind the camera. Wiig, meanwhile, does her best with limited material, while the less said about the shameless plugs given to an online dating company and pizza firm the better.
While there’s no denying The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty‘s message will ring true with many, its hero should have dreamed for something better than this.
three rows back 
Great review Mark. I’m on the fence about seeing this one. Think it’ll be one I see if there’s not much else on.
Ah, thanks a bunch Chris. It’s a Christmas release so I’m guessing they are hoping there won’t be anything opening against it.
Shit. I was fearing this. I am eager to still see Stiller in it, because the constant comparisons I hear of it to Forrest Gump is, I think, quite insane. Judging by this, I should adjust my expectations to much lower levels. Thanks for the heads up 😀 😀
You’re welcome! I saw the trailer and hoped for something to make me grin like a little boy. The film tries, but it’s not in the same class as Gump et al.
Fine work Mark. I was quite drawn to this little film but I find Stiller very hit and miss. Mostly miss, actually.
Cheers Mark. I think Stiller, and the studio, were hoping for awards off the back of this, but it’s not got nearly enough going for it.
Great review. I’m disappointed man, I secretly had high hopes for this film.
So did I, believe me. It’s not rubbish, just not good either.
Sounds dissappointing.
‘fraid so.
All the more so because the trailer is so fantastic.
I’m waiting for people to disagree with me about this one.
Good work, still on the fence about this one, but I think I rather watch Wolf of Wall Street on Christmas
Out of the two that’s the one I would go for my friend.
Expected a lot when I read the premise but sounds like it failed. 😦
In my opinion, Stiller kinda did.
Excellent review, I completely agree with you. There’s a lot to be admired here, but its so overcooked featuring several different ideas that don’t quite gel together. However, What Walter Mitty benefits from is how it looks. Stiller and cinematographer, Stuart Dryburgh create this world that is both inspired and stunning.
Thanks man. I admire its ambition and visually it’s a thing of beauty, but a film needs more than visuals to work and this is where Walter Mitty falls down. The script feels half-baked to me; essentially a series of episodes that simply don’t hold together.
I want to to thank you for this good read!! I definitely
loved every bit of it. I have got you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…
Thank you!