In the past year I struggled with many films, trying to figure out if films have become just beautiful visual canvasses empty of deep feelings. Then I saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, film that left me inspired, amused, and most of all invigorated with hope and desire to hop on a plane after leaving cinema.
Ben Stiller stars and directs The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, based on short story by James Thurber, cartoonist and writer for The New Yorker in the 1930s and 40s. He published "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" in The New Yorker in March of 1939.
It is hard to classify this film in any particular genre, being mix of comedy, drama and magic realism.
We are introduced to Walter as a daydreamer in his 40s, doing a mundane job of "negative asset manager" for Life magazine for 15 years. He is stuck in a day job with little prospect of changing much in his life. His only outlet are his daydreams, his snaps into extraordinary worlds, in which he is a hero, magician, lover, sometimes capable of performing impossible tasks.
These events bring laughs with a hint of sadness as we discover Walter's inner life, his dreams and fears.
Things change as Life magazine goes online and the last printed version is about to be published. Walter finds himself in a crucial role, as everyone is waiting to see the photo, which is the last cover of Life magazine- photo by photojournalist Sean O'Connell, played by Sean Penn.
The photo goes missing and this event spirals Walter's life into series of events, some of them beyond his wildest dreams. Walter is forced to "abandon" daydreams and embark on real journeys which will take him as far as Afghanistan and Iceland.
Audience is taken for a very enjoyable ride, cheering with the protagonist who is fulfilling our own wild dreams and fantasies.
We are cheering for him, inside cheering for ourselves, encouraging our hero to test his own limits and go beyond his wildest dreams. We are too afraid to do things Walter is doing, he is our fantasy on screen where everything is possible, compared to real life. Finally "Stop dreaming, star living" has been initiated.
Cheryl-played by Kristen Wiig is Walter's love interest, single mother who has her own problems but is grounded in reality by her son. Cheryl becomes Walter's inspiration, adding real dimension to his dreams and motivating him for his bold actions.
There is no surprise at the happy ending, yet it is not a cringing Hollywood happy end but a natural progression of Walter's journey. Walter is rewarded for his efforts, and not only has he has conquered his own fears, he has found a companion in his life journey. Now it is time for us to stop dreaming and star living.
In the past year I struggled with many films, trying to figure out if films have become just beautiful visual canvasses empty of deep feelings. Then I saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, film that left me inspired, amused, and most of all invigorated with hope and desire to hop on a plane after leaving cinema.
Ben Stiller stars and directs The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, based on short story by James Thurber, cartoonist and writer for The New Yorker in the 1930s and 40s. He published "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" in The New Yorker in March of 1939.
It is hard to classify this film in any particular genre, being mix of comedy, drama and magic realism.
We are introduced to Walter as a daydreamer in his 40s, doing a mundane job of "negative asset manager" for Life magazine for 15 years. He is stuck in a day job with little prospect of changing much in his life. His only outlet are his daydreams, his snaps into extraordinary worlds, in which he is a hero, magician, lover, sometimes capable of performing impossible tasks.
These events bring laughs with a hint of sadness as we discover Walter's inner life, his dreams and fears.
Things change as Life magazine goes online and the last printed version is about to be published. Walter finds himself in a crucial role, as everyone is waiting to see the photo, which is the last cover of Life magazine- photo by photojournalist Sean O'Connell, played by Sean Penn.
The photo goes missing and this event spirals Walter's life into series of events, some of them beyond his wildest dreams. Walter is forced to "abandon" daydreams and embark on real journeys which will take him as far as Afghanistan and Iceland.
Audience is taken for a very enjoyable ride, cheering with the protagonist who is fulfilling our own wild dreams and fantasies.
We are cheering for him, inside cheering for ourselves, encouraging our hero to test his own limits and go beyond his wildest dreams. We are too afraid to do things Walter is doing, he is our fantasy on screen where everything is possible, compared to real life. Finally "Stop dreaming, star living" has been initiated.
Cheryl-played by Kristen Wiig is Walter's love interest, single mother who has her own problems but is grounded in reality by her son. Cheryl becomes Walter's inspiration, adding real dimension to his dreams and motivating him for his bold actions.
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