The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Ben Stiller has a bad rep when it come to acting in, producing and directing movies. Prone to be scathed at very opportunity from critics for his lack of originality, mediocre acting skills and exhausted plots, all of which I find a little more than harsh. In my experience I generally believe that he regularly puts together works that give his audience a worthwhile hour and a half or so of decent slapstick comedy, initiating a good few chuckles and the occasional belly laugh along the way. Although the quality has seemed to have declined of late compared to the 'Zoolander' and 'Dodgeball' heydays. He is not one to touch the inner workings of what it means to be human, nor one to set your brain into overdrive on a topic that unsettles you to the extent that leaves lost in patterns of thought and judgement straining your mental capacities and igniting a flurry of questions, enlightenments and doubts. No, he is not this, however his latest production does have a lot going for it.

A Film Long Overdue

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a film is based on the classic short story published in 1939 by James Thurber, who himself was a writer and cartoonist for the 'The New Yorker' magazine, which would lead one to believe that the character of Walter Mitty may have been one partly mirrored on his own life. The short story was previously produced into a film of the same name in 1947, starring Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo in the lead roles. The remake of the film had been in the works as far back as the early 90s under the influence of Samuel Goldwyn Jr, son of the famous Hollywood producer Samuel Goldwyn who financed the original. Goldwyn Jr wanted Jim Carrey as the lead character in the early stages but this never came to fruition, Will Ferrell was also considered in the later plans but I would assume the development of his character in Stranger than Fiction would have in some way been too similar to this story. For a good part of the next couple of decades the undertaking was seriously wedged in the pipeline. Ron Howard was in negotiations but put it aside in favour of Matthew McConaughey smeared wonderflop Edtv. Not until our man, modern day comedy king, Ben Stiller got on board as directer and protagonist with screenplay provided by Steven Conrad, screen writer for 'Pursuit of Happyness' and 'The Weather Man', did the filming process begin. This match up became the team to bring the story back to life, although with a number of alterations to the original.

Super Stiller Soccer Score!

Critique and Acclaim

A lot of criticism has been made of the leeway that has been taken with the changes made to the original plot, but I'm not going to dwell on that and I don't think anybody else should either. In my view, adaptations are meant to bring something new, to re-energize the storyline and give it new life. This is exactly what has been done here. It's brought to the 21st century and with that there are positives, with new cinematic technology, and also negatives, profit over artistry, to be attached. The attention to visual and musical detail is rewarded giving the viewer a feast of the spectacles with scene after scene of incredible imagery. From the beginning with the title credits and the look of the Life Magazine building as Walter is running to work we experience the film as an artistic design. There is also a nostalgic element to photography and the old photo prints and it's fitting that a missing film negative is the catalyst to set Walter's journey in motion and ultimately re-ignites the adventurousness of his youth.

To add to the visual aspect the musical soundtrack accompanying, provided by Theodore Shapiro, hits the mark every time. Among the contemporary hits, Jose Gonzalez's 'Far Away' and 'Stay Alive' feature. Also, Cheryl's rendition of David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' in one of Walter's daydreams that is the most memorable. The transition from Cheryl singing in the daydream to the Bowie version in the reality as it shows Walter facing his fears and taking a jump is a work of genius in itself. A nice addition is that of Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men with their hit 'Dirty Paws' featuring in the Icelandic scenes. But I think the song that stands above the rest and represents best the spirit of the story is Jose Gonzalez's 'Step Out'. The heart thumping refrain relates well to the shift in the film's pace as we witness Walter stepping out of his comfort zone and opens up to an unknown adventure.

Cheryl Melhoff played by Kristen Wiig

An Adventure's Delight

The film holds a cast of Hollywood actors including Adam Scott and a brilliant cameo from Sean Penn as mystic heartthrob photographer Sean O'Connell, but among them there is a handful of Icelandic actors including the lovable heartbroken alcoholic helicopter pilot played by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson. The real star of this movie however is Iceland. The images on the screen showed us an island full of beauty with it's picturesque landscapes, even the scenes set in Greenland were shot in Iceland (just in case you wanted to source that appealing Karaoke bar). I'm sure, if you're like me, after watching this you infested the internet information machine with incessant research looking for the best (and cheapest) way to enjoy some time in the mysterious volcanic island in the deep north of this world. Iceland's tourism will no doubt be delighted with the way it was depicted.

Sunset in Iceland

I know I've really praised this film to no end but I just find it refreshing and thoroughly invigorating. I recognise reasons why critics call it a bit indulgent for being a bit too sugary and even superficial. I think there is a balance to lead it away from that line of vision drowning final opinion. Sure it has it's cheap gags and predictable outcome, but it still doesn't lack genuine emotion and successfully captures the spirit of travelling and (self) discovery.
An uplifting cultivated Hollywood comedy adventure drama.
Yeah, that'll do. One for the collection.