Close to Reality: A Review of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
My The Secret Life of Walter Mitty review.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is one of my favorite movies, and the reason is simple: I am a daydreamer, too. I often imagine myself in the most absurd and crazy scenarios, like being a superhero or always having the perfect answer for every situation. In these dreams, I always want to come out on top, just like Walter Mitty.
Walter’s life isn’t perfect, but it’s far from meaningless. The movie perfectly illustrates that life doesn’t need to be perfect, nor do you need to change who you are fundamentally. Your true potential is always within you, just waiting to surface. Leaping over your own shadow is a major theme in the film; once you do it, everything flows naturally, and you feel so good that you want to share your experiences with everyone.
Drifting Away, but Not Too Far
The movie features beautiful shots and scenery that allow me to drift off and dream on my own while staying connected to the story. I feel good about what’s happening on screen, and I can appreciate the movie’s aesthetics. The stunning locations let you explore your own narrative in your head.
No Visible Change
One of the film’s key elements is the seamless transition between reality and dream. You only realize in the middle of the action whether it is real or not, snapping back to reality just like Walter. This approach allows you to empathize with Walter, pondering the same decisions and cheering him on when things go wrong.
Why the Love Story? Mitty and Cheryl
The movie didn’t need the forced love relationship between Walter and Cheryl. While it helps kickstart the storyline with online dating and showcases Walter’s shy and insecure personality, the film could have stood strong without it. Walter’s motivation for his quest shouldn’t stem from a love interest, as it undermines the idea of self-driven change. Overcoming challenges because you want to, and not for someone else, is far more impressive. You should live for yourself.
I know I get poetic about this, but it’s not that I dislike love scenes; I just find them overused as filler for audiences who expect it. When a love interest becomes too obvious, it detracts from the story. I prefer subtle expressions of affection through actions rather than words. Speaking from experience, love is often something you don’t notice at first. When my girlfriend and I first fell in love, it was through small, meaningful actions rather than grand declarations. The same principle applies to movies.
Show love through actions, not instructions.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty review
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_secret_life_of_walter_mitty_2013
