The Secret Life of Walter Mitty [2013]
Directed by: Ben Stiller
Written by: Steve Conrad; based on the short story by James Thurber
Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Sean Penn, Shirley MacLaine, Kathryn Hahn
Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a hero for all of us, the guys that are a little introverted and spend a large portion of the day lost in daydreams and fantasies.
He is (painfully) just like you and me: good at his work but not so good at meeting new people. He’s got the perfect witty retort to that mean-spirited comment by his boss, but keeps it to himself -as you do- lest he lose his job.
In showing us just a bit of ourselves on the big screen, but also letting us know us that while there’s no bounds for the imagination, a little action once in a while doesn’t hurt, Walter Mitty is one of the best and most fulfilling cinematic experiences of the year.
The comedic aspect of Mitty falters a bit. We’re talking about Ben Stiller here, who’s not known for being refined. His silly style of getting laughs hurts the first act just a little, but that is quickly forgotten amid the incredible visuals (Stuart Dryburgh) and rich story.
Kristen Wiig is her usual adorable self as Walter’s love interest Cheryl, while Adam Scott is superb as his douchey boss and Sean Penn manages to leave a mark in just one scene. However, his character is also responsible for orchestrating a wonderful finale that’ll have you reaching for the tissues. Or was that just me?
If anything, this film has helped me change my perception of Stiller, who does a remarkable job in front and especially behind the camera. His Secret Life is one of those vibrant, fresh pictures that reminds you why you love cinema and how easy it is to fall under its spell.
I just reviewed this one as well. I don’t like it nearly as much as you do, but I still agree with almost every one of your points.
Good review!
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Haha, that happens sometimes! Thanks 🙂
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Very good review. It’s really been interesting to see the wide range of takes on this film. I’ll be seeing it Tuesday.
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Thanks, Keith! Hope you like it 🙂
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This is so great to hear! I always do laugh at Stiller’s jokes, but then look around, embarrased, to check if anybody heard. Will be looking forward to seeing this, then! If this really turns out to be that exhilarating surpriser, then that will be very cool indeed. 😛
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Hope you like it, Elina. My expectations were pretty low and this surpassed them greatly!
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My kids loved this (I was in another hall watching American Hustle). I need to catch this. Thanks, Fernando.
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Hope you catch up with it soon! Still a couple weeks for Hustle to open around these parts! Thanks, Michael.
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Nice review Fernando. While it’s clear that Stiller has a lot on his plate here, he still handles it pretty well. Better than I’d expect, too.
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Glad we agree. It was definitely surprising to see the final result.
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Terrific post Fernando, as always! I’m still a little skeptical, I’ll wait for home video to see this one.
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It’s a glowing recommendation for me, but I can understand being skeptical about a Stiller movie. Hope you like it when you see it!
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It was that good? Wow. I’m considering this.
But please don’t tell me you saw this instead of The Wolf of Wall Street. That one takes your whole last paragraph (except it wasn’t directed by Ben Stiller, of course). Fantastic.
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No. Wolf hasn’t opened here yet. It will on Jan 10th, though. CANNOT WAIT.
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Dallas Buyers Club? Don Jon? Saw those two today. Eager to compare notes.
And yeah Wolf of Wall Street was like Casino and Goodfellas…perfected. I saw it with my mother, who liked it too, even if all she ever says is that it was porn. Hahah.
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Haven’t seen either of those, though I really want to. And looking forward to your Wolf of Wall St. review. Can’t wait to see that one myself.
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YOU MUST SEE IT.
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Only 10 days left! Ah!
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That’s too long!
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Nice to see a positive review for this. (Haven’t seen many) 47% on the ol’ RT, plus it completely flopped at the box office here – barely made the Top 10 in its opening week. Ouch! Won’t have time to see it at theater with so many Academy Award contenders out right now, but I’ll definitely look for it when it comes to DVD.
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I’m surprised at the moatly negative response it’s gotten, honestly.
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Great review Fernando. I am catching this tomorrow so glad to hear you were a fan.
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Thanks, man. Hope you like it!
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Hey man. Sure this the other day. I was a massive fan. Thought it was a really joyful film.
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I know, right? Put a smile on my face.
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I liked but didn’t love Walter Mitty. It looks beautiful and it has a lot of heart but it was a little OTT for me. Great review though.
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Thanks, Abbi! Glad you like it, even if not as much as me.
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Didn’t find this as appealing as you did, but I certainly appreciated parts of what Stiller put on screen. Nicely done review.
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
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Good review Fernando. it brings some hope. have been looking forward to this despite the mixed reviews. The premise is good and Stiller seems to be right for the role, a guy who tends to daydream. I can picture him for that quite well. And Adam Scott should be superb as a Douche(remember him in Stepbrothers?).
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Yeah, the reviews are all over the place but I loved Stiller’s work and hope you’ll enjoy it as well. And yes, I remember Scott in that movie too. He’s even better in Walter Mitty. You’ll love to hate him.
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Looking forward to seeing this. Thanks for such a glowing recommendation.
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Thank you, Dan. Hope you enjoy it.
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