The Secret Life of Walter Mitty 2013
By
Ben Stiller
Walter Mitty leads a dull life but daydreams about finding himself in the midst of romantic and adventurous situations. This character enjoys a cult following since James Thurber wrote a short story on him in 1939.A motion picture was also made in 1947 on Walter Mitty.
Ben Stiller has tried to give the legend of Walter Mitty a modern take who works in the Life magazine as a negative assets manager. The magazine is about to go online, and many layoffs are expected. Walter is the most decent guy around, a child every parent prays to Gods for. It's just that he sometimes falls into these reveries, which make him socially awkward. As it had to transpire, he finally comes out with flying colors in the end.
The movie runs at a lugubrious pace and is complimented by lovely music throughout. Some beautiful cinematography in Greenland, Iceland and Afghanistan blows you away. Ben Stiller is earnest in his efforts, so is Kristen Wiig. But one wonders if the whole film is much too understated. The lead character seems vague and turns from zero to hero in no time. It seems all too simplistic, and I was not able to identify with the trials and tribulations that must have tested Walter Mitty. Perhaps, the essence of the short story has been lost.
A decent film to watch, but Ben Stiller could have done far better….
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