I had to watch this most popular of all travel films twice before deciding I liked The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. At first, I thought it was silly, but then after a second and now a third and fourth, I can understand why it is at the top of most lists of best travel movies.
“Being brave does not mean being unafraid. It often means being afraid and doing it anyway.”
— Rachel Naomi Remen
Walter Mitty (Stiller) works as a photo manager for Life Magazine and spends a large portion of his time daydreaming about being confident and courageous. He also daydreams about his new co-worker Cheryl (Kristen Wiig), but can’t even work up the nerve to send her a “wink” on eHarmony. While working in the photo lab, Walter receives a roll from legendary photographer Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn) with photo #25 being singled out as “the quintessence of Life” (literally the magazine, but thematically it couldn’t be more obvious). The smarmy exec (Adam Scott) in charge of shutting down the print edition of Life to move the publication to an online format wants the vaunted image for the cover of the final issue, but Walter can’t find the photo. Resolved to solve the mystery of the missing photo, Walter sets out on a real adventure to track down Sean and discover “the quintessence of Life”.
The first time around I was annoyed with all the long-drawn-out fantasy sequences that happen in Walter Mitty’s head. But once he gets to Iceland and Greenland, it really becomes a fun adventure.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty shows how taking a risk and getting out of your comfort zone can lead to great things.
Let Walter Mitty’s courage put you on a new path of adventure and fulfillment:
“Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade wind in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”
— Mark Twain
The ending was my favourite, but I won’t spoil it for you.
