THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

reviewed by Patrick Gibbs

GRADE: A+
Ben Stiller, Kristin Wiig, Shirley McLaine, Kathryn Hahn and Sean Penn
Based on the short story by James Thurber
Screenplay by Steve Conrad
Directed by Ben Stiller

James Thurber's classic story of a man who wants to be everything but himself is a great piece of whimsical humor, and it's most widely remembered as the inspiration for the 1947 Danny Kaye film of the same title. That is leading to the unfortunate characterization of Ben Stiller's new film  as another Hollywood remake. It's not a remake: it has nothing to do with the Danny Kaye film, which in turn had very little to do with Thurber's story. This version strays even further from the original story (no tapockata-tapocka-tapocka, but in truth both movies merely use the original source material as a jumping off point. There is not a lot of basis for comparison:  the beloved Danny Kaye version was cute, clever and diverting, but this take on the story is thoughtful, elegant and inspiring.

In this version, Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a negative assets manager for photographs at Life Magazine who frequently daydreams of fantastic adventures, and has a crush on his coworker Cheryl (Kristen Wiig). Photojournalist Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn), who works closely with Mitty concerning his submissions, has sent him a package containing his latest negatives and a wallet as a gift in appreciation of Walter's excellent work. Furthermore, that package contains a special photograph, negative 25, that he says in writing captures the "Quintessence of Life and that it should be used for the cover of the magazine's final issue as it converts to online status. Unfortunately, that specific negative is missing from the package and Mitty is forced to stall Ted (Adam Scott), the obnoxious corporate transition manager handling the downsizing. Using the other negatives as clues, Mitty figures out that O'Connell is in Greenland and flies there to try and find him.

Especially during the first 45 minutes of the film we are treated to the obligatory series of daydreams, most of which can be seen in the trailer, and they are memorable. In particular, a fight scene between Walter and Ted is a riot. But the daydreams are pushed more and more into the background as Walter is forced out of his comfort zone and begins to experience the wonders of real life. At the same time, the film never makes the mistake of try to villainize the power of imagination, and Walter's fantasies  are a source of strength for him. This is most memorably portrayed in a beautiful sequence where Walter draws courage to get on a helicopter by imagining Cheryl cheering him on by performing a karaoke rendition of David Bowie's  "Space Oddity," taking a cruel dig made by Ted and turning into a battle cry.

The power of imagination, of courage, and ultimately of self respect, are at the heart of this tale. Stiller the director has never shined brighter, ranging from dazzling action to moments of quiet emotion, and he gets a career best performance from Stiller the actor. The breathtaking cinematography by Stuart Dryburgh and the musical score by Theodore Shapiro combine to create a perfect picture: the "Quintessence of Walter," if you will. From the trailers, the movie was being compared to Forrest Gump or Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, but in the end, it's an experience entirely it's own. This is a modern classic, and a the crowning achievement of Stiller's career. It's also a movie that makes you happy to be alive.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is rated PG for some crude comments, mild profanity and action violence.