Movie Poster

Beautiful things don't ask for attention.

# Review

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) lives a mundane and uneventful life as a negative assets manager for Life magazine. Mitty is also a chronic serial daydreamer and in his daydreams he is engaged in heroic and adventurous activities in stark contrast to his reality. One day, Mitty accidentally embarks on a global adventure.

Mitty’s character development arc is perhaps one of the best I’ve seen recently. Mitty goes from someone who is goofy and a tad maladapted to someone the audience comes to identify with and respect. While Mitty initially sets out on his journey for the approval of others, he eventually finds peace and fulfillment within himself. Whether intentional or not, the film has heavy philosophical undertones which mesh with my own worldviews, such as the importance of being present and the importance of taking risks in life.

Stiller plays an excellent Mitty and he portrays Mitty’s character arc excellently. The supporting cast, which includes Kristen Wiig’s Cheryl, Adam Scott’s Ted, and Patton Oswald’s Todd from eHarmony, are all foils that shape Mitty’s journey. The scene with Sean Penn’s O’Connell, in particular, is one of the most beautiful moments in the film.

# Conclusion

While this is not an amazing film, per se, this film does send an incredibly uplifting message.

# Overall rating: 7.6

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