"The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty"(PG)
Directed by: Ben Stiller.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott and Sean Penn.
Rated: PG for containing infrequent moderate violence, mild language and sex references.
Running time: 114 minutes.
Released on the 26th of December, 2013.
Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a daydreamer; constantly zoning out during conversations and visiting various scenarios, he's never fully engaged for longer than five minutes. Despite his heroic and adventurous dreams, Walter is not like this in real life. Shy and timid, Walter works at "Life" magazine producing photos for each front cover. Upon receiving a package from famed photographer Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn), Walter realises that the negative due to be used for the last ever cover of "Life" magazine, is missing. To complete his work, Walter embarks on a global journey to find the missing picture.
The film itself focuses on the final publication of "Life" magazine, and funnily enough in real life, the magazine ceased publication in the year 2000; and has long since been involved with newspaper supplements and an online version (all of them however no longer exist). Which is a shame, as the magazine itself had a great reputation for photographs of famous (some infamous) icons and events, including the photo named "A Nurse In Sailors Arms" by Alfred Eisenstaed; which featured a couple kissing whilst celebrating the end of World War Two.After living in development hell for almost twenty years, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" has worked with countless actors (including Owen Wilson, Scarlett Johansson and Sacha Baron Cohen), directors and distributors.
Eventually finding its feet in 2010, Steven Conrad (writer of "The Pursuit of Happiness") was attached to write the film and soon after, Ben Stiller was cast as the film's main lead and director. But, this isn't the first film based upon James Thurber's 1939 classic story, it was adapted and directed by Norman Z. McLeod who produced a wonderful film, which was ranked 479th on Empire Magazine's top 500 films of all time; back in 2008. What's also quite interesting, is that the producer's (of the 2013 version) father Samuel Goldwyn produced the original version, back in 1947. Talk about keeping it in the family!
What's really difficult, is trying to explain the film to someone. Is it a film relating to drama, adventure or comedy? It honestly is a film quite close to the "cult" status. That said, the film entertains regardless.
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is different and at this moment in the year, I think I was quite open to something that deviated from your typical American fantasy film. This film did just that, it was quirky, yet vivid and that is the film's strong point.
Regrettably, the film (despite its 114 minute running time) feels short on some substance. It's a minor blip, as "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is actually very entertaining as a worthy family film. The script is pure gold, and centres not on the comedic aspects of Ben Stiller's acting style, but his other qualities as a dramatic actor. The cinematography is also quite beautiful, shot by Stuart Dryburgh ("The Piano"), the film looks real and most definitely believable.
The acting is good, and entertains particularly well, with Kristen Wiig and Ben Stiller each giving a performance which is fairly interesting and not easily forgettable; even Sean Penn (in his limited role) brings a certain greatness to the film. The soundtrack is brilliant, including music from Arcade Fire and David Bowie both fitting into the film's themes perfectly.
Verdict
An excellent film for Christmas time, ambitious and entertaining, "The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty" is this year's "Life Of Pi".
8 stars out of 10
Written by Scott Gentry.
Film Rating Key
1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.
3-4 stars out of ten = Average.
5-6 stars out of ten = Good.
7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.
9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.
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