Bringing hope to the hopeless
I’ve never been a huge fan of Ben Stiller. Of course, I’ve enjoyed films he’s been in, and even films he’s headlined. “Zoolander”, “Dodgeball”, “Mystery Men”, “Tropic Thunder” and “Starsky & Hutch” are all fun and enjoyable movies, but I just can’t warm to the guy. He’s also one quarter of the least appealing voice casts ever assembled (for the “Madagascar” series). This goes a long way to explain why, although I was aware of the upcoming remake of “The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty”, I’d paid it almost no attention.
However, as fate would have it I was given the opportunity to see a ‘mystery movie preview’ early in December and lo and behold – it was the new “Walter Mitty”. I won’t lie – I did briefly consider getting up and leaving, but I’ve never chosen to walk out of a film.
The story concerns Walter Mitty, a mild-mannered, neurotic day dreamer forced to step out of his dull life as he searches for a missing photograph needed for the cover of the magazine he works for. The marketing for this film has focussed on events from the first half hour or so, on the whacky fantasies Walter has to cover up the emptiness of his life and has done a good job of making this seem like a zany Ben Stiller comedy. Some people are in for a surprise.
“The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty” is actually a thoughtful, reflective comedy drama about self-discovery and self-actualisation. Stiller is surprisingly adequate as the sympathetic leading man, particularly once the film drops the daydreaming cutaways and Walter’s real adventures begin. I still spent much of the film thinking ‘I guess Jim Carrey was busy’, because Stiller is certainly reaching for a performance tone akin to “The Truman Show” here. Screen veterans Sean Penn and Shirley McLaine are great in their supporting roles but some of the other cast members are so offputting (Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn), you begin to wonder if they were cast to give Stiller a better chance of winning the audience’s sympathy. The film is given a much needed boost of empathy and likeability by the wonderful Kristen Wiig, who plays the object of Walter’s unrequited affections. Another high point is Patton Oswalt’s glorious (mostly) vocal cameo as an e-Harmony customer service agent who becomes a pivotal figure in Walter’s journey.
As I said, I hadn’t paid any attention to this film during its development and while I was watching it, I kept thinking: I’m not too fond of the cast, but the director has done an amazing job. Imagine my surprise when the credits rolled and I discovered who the director was! I may not be a fan of Ben Stiller the actor, but Ben Stiller the director impressed me immensely. The film looks amazing, from the Icelandic landscapes to the quirky shots of city streets, Stiller crams every frame with visual interest and, at times, breathtaking beauty. Even the credits and onscreen captions are incorporated into the visuals wonderfully, and there’s an almost dreamlike quality to the cinematography which cleverly keeps you guessing as to where Walter’s fantasies end and his real adventures begin.
Despite some questionable marketing trying to push the zanier fantasy elements, don’t expect any “Night At The Museum” style hijinks. This a film about broadening your horizons and changing your perspective; learning about what’s really important. It turned out to be a salutary lesson for me in not prejudging films or actors. My misgivings about the film’s star were swept away by the stunning visuals and the touching, life-affirming story. “The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty” is a refreshing, hopeful film and the perfect antidote to any post-Christmas blues.