The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
January 12, 2025 5:46 PM - Subscribe
When both he and a colleague are about to lose their job, Walter takes action by embarking on an adventure more extraordinary than anything he ever imagined.
I watched this on a whim based on hearing good things and I was pleasantly surprised by how delightful it turned out to be. It's been 11 years since I watched it, and all I can accurately remember now are moments, general ideas, and an overall experience that can be summed up as pretty great.
posted by Atreides at 7:27 AM on January 13
posted by Atreides at 7:27 AM on January 13
CinemaStix has a lot of praise for this movie and looks at the disconnect between critics and audiences on it. Clearly, based on the comments, it changed some people's paths in life.
I'm inclined to agree on its virtues and it is, in a lot of ways, gorgeous to look at.
posted by idb at 9:36 AM on January 13 [1 favorite]
I'm inclined to agree on its virtues and it is, in a lot of ways, gorgeous to look at.
posted by idb at 9:36 AM on January 13 [1 favorite]
Up until this movie I had always enjoyed Ben Stiller, even at his most ridiculous (Zoolander), but I figured that there wasn't much more to him than some witty comedies and the occasional serious movie (Royal Tanenbaums). Then this came out and it was the best of all worlds: silly, humorous, serious, whimsical, life-affirming. Because of this movie I will watch anything that has to do with Stiller whether it's a movie, tv show or something he produced. Severance, anybody?
It's been a long time, I should rewatch!
posted by ashbury at 5:47 PM on January 13 [3 favorites]
It's been a long time, I should rewatch!
posted by ashbury at 5:47 PM on January 13 [3 favorites]
Wonder how different this would have been received under a different title? I thought it was perfectly charming, but thanks to Danny Kaye, I was primed for more wackiness. And of course getting compared to Danny Kaye isn't going to do many performers a lick of good.
posted by drewbage1847 at 8:11 PM on January 13 [4 favorites]
posted by drewbage1847 at 8:11 PM on January 13 [4 favorites]
I also watched the cinemastix commentary on Walter Mitty and it makes me want to watch it. Their recommendation for The Knick was very worthwhile (we just binged season one), so I think I'll trust them for this one too.
And like ashubury wrote, I had always thought of Ben Stiller for Zoolander, but his work on Severance was amazing, so I really should reconsider how I think of him.
posted by autopilot at 8:12 AM on January 14 [1 favorite]
And like ashubury wrote, I had always thought of Ben Stiller for Zoolander, but his work on Severance was amazing, so I really should reconsider how I think of him.
posted by autopilot at 8:12 AM on January 14 [1 favorite]
Ok, just watched it and wow Mark S's outie with a beard is a jerk. Ben Stiller looked like he was having tons of fun.
Its as fun as I had hoped despite the over the top product placement. The papa johns in Iceland was fake, and Cinnabon and eHarmony also paid to be featured, etc.
posted by autopilot at 1:56 PM on January 17
Its as fun as I had hoped despite the over the top product placement. The papa johns in Iceland was fake, and Cinnabon and eHarmony also paid to be featured, etc.
posted by autopilot at 1:56 PM on January 17
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posted by kokaku at 5:47 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]