What a great day for Ben Stiller. Looks like after years of movies that all look, sound and are the same, he's hit the big time with The Secret life Of Walter Mitty.
This, of course is another updated version of the short story written in 1939 by James Thurber. This version certainly is not perfect by any means. But this is a giant leap forward for Stiller in every single way. This is elaborate, big, and a PG-13 Stiller movie that makes no references to bodily functions, or any other junior high locker room humor. Stiller directed, produced, bankrolled and starred in this, and it's a breakthrough.
You may Know the "Mitty" story. The man who dreams huge fantasies while living a life that is meek and more than boring. It has been told many times over the decades and this time it is set in modern day New York City, while he is a photographic technician at Life Magazine.
The magazine is going to print its last edition before going to an online only format. A hugely famous photographer Sean (Sean Penn), sends a sheet of negatives to the magazine stating that number 25 is the best photo he has ever taken and that it should be the cover of the last issue. somehow Walter (Stiller) can't find it, so he starts out on a adventure to find Sean, and the clues to the missing negative. But is he really on these adventures, or is he just living them out in his mind? That is the question you have to answer for yourself.
He enlists the help of a work mate Cheryl (Kristin Wiig), who he also has a crush on to assist him in this search. She seems to accept Walter and his quirks and his fantasies as he "zones out" and travels off to far ways places in other peoples presence. Turns out she is a motivating force behind Walter and his drive to find his missing photo, but it's certainly Walter who is the captain of his own adventure. Clearly, this is far more complicated than can be explained here, but that's the basic line.
For the things this movie won't be to many critics, it will be loved by the audience that goes to see it. This is an uplifting movie, that has a small, Indy pic feel to it, all the while placed in a big budgeted movie. It is quirky, and off beat at times, but it takes you around the world to beautiful places and asks you to go on a wild adventure with Walter. Seldom do you go to the movies where the full audience claps at the end, but they did after this one. It's good for virtually anyone, it's a solid PG-13, and young people can enjoy this equally with mom and dad.
Stiller is really good as Mitty, showing far more range than usual, and that's refreshing. But the performance of Kristin Wiig is really something to see. She has never looked better in a movie and is perfectly cast as the accepting Cheryl. She simply acted in this movie, with no pressure to be funny in any way, and I loved her. She was terrific. This also has a nice supporting cast including Shirley MacClain, Patton Oswalt, and Katherine Hahn, who also simply acts and is very good in her small role.
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty. Critics will criticize this flick, but the public that goes will love this. Big step to real storytelling for Stiller. Yeah it's not perfect, but overall a win here.!
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