Sometimes we need to step out and take a risk

Rating: 9/10 (14 January 2014)

I am not sure how to really approach this movie, but to give you a quick overall impression if it I would have to say that I did enjoy it. This film (I will refer to it simply as 'the Secret Life') is about a man who has been doing the same job for all of his life, lives in the same apartment, and when he signs up to an internet dating site and is asked to describe himself, he simply says 'not much'. There is something about Walter Minty though, and that is that he is a day dreamer, and he does so in the most inopportune moments (such was when he is on the phone to somebody, or is being asked questions by his boss). This, I must admit, I found to be a little unbelievable because, being a bit of a day dreamer myself, I would have to say that I generally do not drift off into my own little world when I am engaged in conversation with somebody (though I may do it when I am with a group of people, though not actively engaged in the conversation).
What this film is about is about going out and living life, taking risks, and taking that step so that you might actually have some meaning in it. Many of us get caught up in the standard day by day monotony of our lives, and to be honest, many of us may not be in the situation (having a family to look after for instance) to enable us to start taking risks. However some of us actually will say 'stuff this, I am going to do something with my life' and actually take the risk.
When people speak about this movie they seem to talk about the amazing scenery and the exotic locations, however to me it is about how one man took that step to move away from his humdrum life and to actually go out and experience the world. We see that running alongside his relationship with Cheryl in that at the beginning he is basically stalking her (or wanting to stalk her) on an internet dating site, but as the movie progresses, and he begins to step out of his shell, we see him actually forming a real relationship with her as well as no longer day dreaming. We also notice how he meticulously follows his budget, but then discovers, as he goes out and experiences the world, the budget no longer matters. In fact, upon his return to America, he even stands up to the customs officials when they confront him with the fact that he has been to Afghanistan.
This is actually a remake of an older movie (which I would not have known if it was not for the wonders of the internet) and I would actually like to see that film as well, but I don't think that film deals with the concept of taking a risk, stepping out, and doing something new. Sometimes we have to have a strong idea of what we want to do, a passion, and a desire, and in many of us that exists. My passion is writing, and thinking, and creating stories and ideas, and I am looking for ways of actually monetising it. The truth with our society is that we need money to survive, and while it would be great to simply throw everything to the wind and go an enjoy life, the reality is that many of us are trapped in our world with no way out. I guess what this movie teaches us is that when we do see a way out, to step out and take it, and to enjoy life. Don't sit down and day dream, but turn those dreams into a reality.