The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is one of my top three favorite films and has been since I first watched it almost 10 years ago. Released on Christmas day 2013 and directed by Ben Stiller, it’s a reimagining of the classic 1939 short story of the same name by James Thurber.  

The film is a creative departure from its source material, exploring themes of self-discovery, adventure, breaking free from the mundane and living life to its fullest potential. 

The film follows Walter Mitty, played by Ben Stiller, a quiet and introverted negative assets manager at Life magazine who often escapes into elaborate daydreams to cope with the monotony of his life. Walter’s fantasies are a means of escaping his lackluster existence, filled with exciting and heroic adventures that contrast sharply with his everyday life.  

When Life magazine faces a transition from print to digital and legendary photojournalist Sean O’Connell , played by Sean Penn, sends a missing photo negative, Walter is thrust into a journey akin to his wild daydreams to find the negative and keep his job.  

From New York to Greenland to Iceland and eventually the Himalayas, Walter embarks on a global quest to find Sean O’Connell and recover the missing negative. His journey becomes not only a physical adventure but a deeply personal and transformative one.  

Along the way, Walter discovers a new sense of courage and purpose, slowly shedding his introverted shell and embracing a life of risk, spontaneity and connection. 

As a photographer, one of the film’s greatest strengths is its breathtaking cinematography. From the icy fjords of Greenland to the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, each location is captured with a sense of awe and wonder, emphasizing the beauty of the natural world.  

The visuals are both grand and intimate, giving a sense of scale to Walter’s expanding perspective on life. My absolute favorite sequence shows Walter biking, skateboarding and running through the breathtaking Icelandic countryside to find Sean, just missing him as a volcano erupts. The cinematography, combined with an eclectic soundtrack featuring artists like José González — another favorite from my teen years — creates an uplifting and contemplative mood. 

Stiller’s direction of the film demonstrates a level of nuance I really appreciate, balancing moments of humor with the film’s more profound and emotional beats. It’s a compelling narrative about finding courage in the face of fear and embracing the unknown. 

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is not without its flaws. Some critics feel the pacing can be uneven, and I’ve felt some of the transitions between Walter’s daydreams and reality to be unclear.  

The plot, while fun and engaging, follows a fairly conventional arc of self-discovery that doesn’t deviate much from the established formula. However, these issues feel minor compared to the overall impact the film can have on a viewer. 

What makes “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” truly resonate is its universal message about the importance of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. Every time I watch it, I’m reminded that life is something to be actively lived, and it’s never too late to start living the life we’ve always imagined.