The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

I am pleased be well along the way in my process of adapting to life in London, UK. Even more, I am overjoyed to be back in the world of cinephiles. The world of film and media in the UK is small compared to that of the US, but what it lacks in size it overwhelms with quality and exclusive content. Thanks to Cineworld UK, I had the immense pleasure of attending a secret screening of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; five weeks in advance of its US and UK theatrical releases.

Walter Mitty can easily be summed up as the story of a magazine worker who lives inside fantasy worlds and sets off on a global journey to find a missing picture. Going a step further, I would say that it is the story of a man that wants to desperately live his life but has long forgotten how. The film begins with a diminished Walter (Ben Stiller) simply going through the motions of his life until a series of events lead him toward an adventure of a lifetime. As the film progresses, we get to witness his transformation from an introspective loser to a world traveler and adventurer.

Unlike other films of its kind, Walter Mitty is a tale of a midlife crisis and the self-discovery that comes with it. What do you do when you realize that you're entire life is changing and not for the better. The subject matter hits very close to home for myself as I have been faced with a similar situation as Walter Mitty. Out of a sheer will for survival, Walter Mitty embarks on a journey that takes him from New York City to Greenland to Iceland and much further. His journey is racked with unbelievable feats of courage, stupidity, and the kind of laughter only one who has traveled the world can appreciate.

Adapted from a short story written by James Thurber, Stiller directs his vision for this film to be daring, intimate, and provocative. It easily shines as a poignant addition to the American film pantheon. I highly recommend this piece of cinematic art to anyone that dares to dream that theirs lives can be so much more. It's a testament to the human spirit and how we compartmentalize and deal with common stressors like the loss of a loved one or being fired from a job that you worked at for nineteen years. Kudos to Ben Stiller and his formidable co-stars (Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, & Sean Penn) for bringing creativity, adventure, intelligence, and heart back into the world of dramatic comedy.

Rating 5 (Maximum of 5): A beautifully executed comedy of immense proportions.