10TH ANNIVERSARY MOVIE REVIEW: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” stars Ben Stiller (Zoolander, Tropic Thunder), Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, The Skeleton Twins), Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation [TV series], Severance [TV series]), Kathryn Hahn (WandaVision [TV series], Afternoon Delight), Shirley MacLaine (Terms of Endearment, Steel Magnolias), Adrian Martinez (Focus, Renfield), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (The Meg, Murder Mystery), Patton Oswalt (King of Queens [TV series], Ratatouille), and Sean Penn (Mystic River, Dead Man Walking). It is directed by Ben Stiller, with the screenplay being written by Steve Conrad (The Pursuit of Happyness, Wonder).

When the cover photo to Life Magazine’s final printed issue winds up missing, a recluse, daydreaming negative assets manager (Stiller) must step outside his comfort zone and travel across the world to retrieve it from its daredevil photographer (Penn).

I bet you didn’t expect this one, did yah? Well, neither did I.

Ten years ago, on December 25th, Ben Stiller’s directorial “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” released in theaters. There wasn’t much mention of it when it made its theatrical run; none of my friends discussed it, nor did it make a splash critically. It was a Christmas release that flew under the public’s radar, but for some reason 15-year-old Harrison knew it was a film he couldn’t miss out on.

It was around that time that I was talking to a girl at school. We practically had every class together and even rode the same bus. One day, I built up the courage to ask her on a date (which I believe was done via handwritten letter… so courage in penmanship?). The date in question was a trip to the movies to see a feature that I was itching to watch. Back in those days, it would have to take a special occasion for my folks to take me to the movies; sure enough, a first date fit the qualifications. I remember that day vividly, from picking up the girl in a gold minivan with my dad, to seeing Ben Stiller daydream of exploding apartment rescues and poetry falcons on the big screen. And even though my first date (later turned relationship that year) didn’t amount to anything, I am forever grateful that I got to see this hidden gem at the theater (read my original review here).

Ten years later and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” still wows me. From its cinematography to score to editing to direction, it’s a beautiful piece of cinematic art that tells a simple, yet necessary lesson: step outside of your comfort zone.

By no means did Stiller set out to change the landscape of filmmaking with this picture. Its story is fairly straightforward and upon my most recent rewatch of it, I’m quite surprised I never foresaw the plot twists that Conrad wove throughout his script (I wasn’t as bright ten years ago). But what Stiller did accomplish was capturing the quintessence of life in an hour and fifty-four minutes. He took us on a journey of resistance and redemption, broadening the horizons of introverts by introducing them to the beauty that is beyond their comfort. And for this introvert, I can safely say that this film inspires, not to mention gives me the warm fuzzies upon every viewing.

Chief among the pros of this feature is its cinematography. The images captured by Stuart Dryburgh are flat-out incredible. Matched with the production design and color mixing, he was able to craft a sleek palette that mastered contrast in color and ultimately story. Whether it’s the beiges and blues of Life Magazine, the poppy yellows and greens of New York City, or the burning reds and oranges of ungoverned Afghanistan, Dryburgh knew how to paint the canvas of the screen. Even after years of watching many other films and learning the craft of filmmaking, I regard this as one of the best shot pictures I’ve seen. Not only within the frames themselves, but the transitions as well (that one shot where it fades from the negative film strip to a bird’s eye of the fountain Walter is sitting at is beyond gorgeous).

Another strong component of this movie is its score and soundtrack, spearheaded by Theodore Shapiro and José Gonzalez. The latter of which has an amazing voice that serves as the connective tissue that links everything together through use of humming (it’s truly magical and moving). If you want some strong song recommendations, I’d suggest Gonzalez’s “Step Out” or “Stay Alive,” both featured in this film. Meanwhile, Shapiro composes a beautiful score that utilizes the piano and guitar in a lovely fashion. My favorite tracks in this entire movie has to be “Quintessence” and “I’m Right Here,” both of which play out the ending of this movie. To this day, I still listen to the score and soundtrack in my spare time. (I must also mention that the narrative use of some of these songs is quite genius, particularly that of “Space Oddity” and “Escape [The Pina Colada Song].”)

It’s safe to say that Stiller’s team, both cast and crew, are made up of all-stars. The ones cast in this in particular are fantastic. Kristen Wiig makes a lot out of an otherwise ordinary love interest role, giving us the right amount of charm and awkwardness (particularly the moments with Stiller) that make her real. Adam Scott, while sporting a horrendous fake beard, kills it as the jerk-wad boss of Mitty, and Sean Penn and Patton Oswalt steal the show in bit roles that string together the narrative. Above all of them, Stiller turns in one of his finest performances yet, doing what he does best: playing the unlikely hero. His humor is funneled into a realistic nuance of awkwardness, and the development he gives his character, while as stated beforehand, simple, works well. The most fun is seeing the contrast of real-life Mitty and his dream-state counterpart, which lends to funny and highly entertaining moments (my favorite is the Benjamin Buttons dream, which has the best line from Wiig: “just nestle in here and die” haha).

From start to finish, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” entertains. It makes me laugh, smile, and tear up in all the right places. It’s a connection to my past, making it in some ways a friend that comforts me in the darkest of hours. More importantly, it’s a compass that points me in the right direction; one that stirs me to be adventurous and to “step out.” One that pushes me to view life through the lens of wonder/beauty and take it for all its worth. There is so much out there, my friends. So much that the Lord is calling us to. And if we’re lucky enough to realize this, we have to act on it. Of course, I’m not talking prosperity gospel here. I’m simply shedding light on the fact that some of us are living a life of avoidance masked in comfortability. The sooner we let that go, the sooner our eyes will be open to the beckoning hand of the Father (or in the case of “Walter Mitty,” the moving photo hand of Sean Penn).

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” was my very first Movie of the Year on this website. It holds a special place in my heart and I’m always delighted to return to it. If you haven’t seen it, I implore you to. Maybe it’s the kick in the pants, heart medicine you need to jumpstart your new year. I know it’s mine. FINAL SCORE: 97%= Juicy Popcorn

Here is the trailer: