Stiller's Big Holiday Present to Us

Rating: 10/10 (29 December 2013)

From the moment the previews showed up a few months ago, I knew we had a special film, and the whole feeling was reinforced when very little changed in the trailers as the movie's debut was around the corner. There was a feeling of expectation and exhilaration by the visual glimpses about Mitty's quest. He was looking for a dream, and we wanted to go along for the ride.
The story is a complete delight, with a conclusion that will have your spirit soaring. Walter Mitty literally dreams all the time, spacing out during crucial moments, as if he's avoiding facing reality. What becomes apparent from the beginning is that he's one of us, and that he wins us over right away, as he at a crucial moment in his professional and emotional life. He needs to complete a very important task at work, employment which he might lose at any time, and since deadlines are tight, he must also confront two key decisions as soon as possible.
He's had a special and professional relationship with a star photographer, who apparently thinks highly of Mitty, and things becoming complicated, forcing Mitty to travel all over the world to find the photographer and a very special photograph/negative. Walter Mitty soon finds himself in a world very different from what he has experienced so far. He grows in many ways, lets himself live every moment, and through Stiller's inspired camera-work, we experience every amazing moment with him. We are able to see and feel the wonder of being in such remote locations as Greensland, Iceland, the Himalayas, and everywhere he goes. There is comedy here, but it is of a very special kind. It is funny because it lightens and empowers the soul. Watching him show his skater tricks, the thrill of a bicycle race, climbing a mountain, swimming with sharks. It has been done before, but we somehow feel like we are part of the wonder.
There are all these epic moments, as we see Walter discover so much more in the world, and it is the quiet moments that take over as the movie reaches its amazing conclusion. His eventual meeting with Penn, and the last ten minutes of the moment are powerful in ways we have seen in previous classics like "It's a Wonderful Life", "E.T.", and some of those movies that make you feel the wonder in life. In a world of digital "wonders", we see a movie that tells you that there is nothing if there is no connection to the heart or the soul or whatever makes us special. When Mitty finally sees what the special photograph is, it'll be challenging to not to feel something jump inside your chest and you experience tears of joy because of the powerful moment.
"Mitty" deserves recognition and admiration for it is a good film, with a solid set of performances, an inspiring and refreshing story, much more cinematic than anything this year. It doesn't need foul language to make us laugh, or idiocy of any time to appeal to all of us. It certainly boasts some of the most amazing cinematography of the year, and it has arguably the biggest heart in anything released this year.
Five out of five hearts.