The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Walter Mitty used to be a punk and skateboarder with lots of crazy ideas and the belief that the world would be at his feet one day. Today, he is a shy and unassuming middle-aged man who spends most of his time in the archive and escapes more and more often into the realm of dreams, where he successfully competes with comic book heroes and has no trouble impressing his sympathetic colleague, with whom he would like to establish an intimate relationship. The loss of an important negative and his awakened professional pride provoke him to leave his safe shell. The following days turn into a magnificent journey during which Walter visits three continents and convinces himself that dreams can become reality. For several generations, movie viewers have turned to the film medium to escape from mundane reality into a world of boundless fantasy, and Walter gives them hope that even ordinary people like them can experience wonderful adventures and achieve something great. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty combines several genres from comedy to romance and road movie, and it must be said that it works well, partly thanks to Ben Stiller's commitment, who saw this project as a unique opportunity to break free from the stereotype of cheap entertainers and become a respected versatile creator. The film has divided critics and journalists into two sharply contrasting positions overseas. Some speak of it as a highly entertaining, well-executed film that deserves an Oscar, if not in the main categories, then at least for its technical aspects. Others speak with the same enthusiasm about cheap sentimentality, sycophancy, and unfulfilled ambitions that should be rewarded with a Golden Raspberry. Let's face it, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is as middlebrow as it gets, but I can say for myself that I really enjoyed it, appreciated the excellent camera work with beautiful nature images, and I dare to recommend The Secret Life of Walter Mitty as an ideal example of a family film that can work across generations, educational backgrounds, and gender differences. Overall impression: 90%. (01/14/2014)

Do you know what it feels like to meet the cutest movie of 2013? You happen to watch it. At the end, you read the final credits, focus on every single person who participated in making the movie and you cannot but wonder how Ben even managed to make the movie in the first place. Because what you realize is that it’s actually his most normal, and also most honest movie, and all that makes it the best movie he’s ever been in. Every single character is out of this world. The beautiful Kristen Wiig delivers such a performance that you could simply kiss her. The Icelandic actor Ólafur Darri Ólafsson gets so hammered that you’d love to do the afternoon bender all over again sometime, even including all the bad stuff booze does to you… well and Sean Penn has a moment prepared for you that you should never ever forget. Movies are about dreaming, imagination and about what our lives should be like. But why couldn’t life be like that? Walter Mitty proves that nothing is impossible. He accomplished what we all just take aerial views of, contemplating how we could accomplish our goals. And yes, this movie is supported by both the incredible shots of unbelievable landscapes in Greenland and then in Iceland, and also by an awesome soundtrack that included Arcade Fire and Of Monsters and Men. Two amazing bands that will make you dream… and that will make you act. You simply need to find a way of your own… (12/28/2013)

Forrest Gump two decades later, with all the good and bad that can be associated with it. We have again a barrage of all those scents, images and emotions about the search for oneself, but in a slightly more modern and refined guise. Yet the final impression is somewhat brought down by the duplication and unoriginality, which may not be so noticeable in the whole as such, but in the details it certainly is, and by mental maturity. After all, it is too straightforward and childishly naive at times. The older Stiller gets, the more mature, therefore the better. (11/19/2017)

A cute Hollywood family fairy tale with laudable intentions, an outrageously likeable soundtrack and a great Ben Stiller in the cute leading role, but dramaturgically it’s strangely disjointed, unconvincing and dumbed down, exploring the imaginary border of fantasy and reality through the lens of a filmmaker who apparently can't decide which side to lean towards... The message is admittedly beautifully positive, but it can't make up for the awkward first impression. 65% (01/26/2014)

An optimistic snack that irradiates energy and peace. All that nonsense that is needed for Walter’s adventure to continue, in connection with this particular film, didn’t bother me at all. What I didn’t like was the utter predictability of the plot, in particular those questions: “where has picture 25 gone?”. The answer will be clear to anyone. And yet, it’s solid, brisk fun that’s nice to watch and makes sense going to the cinema for it. The locations are breathtaking. (12/27/2013)