"Walter Mitty": A Triumph in Every Possible Way

Rating: 10/10 (8 April 2014)

I've had my IMDb account for over 8 years, but I've never written a review before; that is, I've never felt compelled to, until now.
I gave the film a 10, but here's a little caveat about my grading: I don't 'kinda' like films. I either do, or don't—so it's a 1, or a 10. A flawed system, perhaps, but there are a lot of redeeming qualities that I can find in a film: directing, cinematography, acting, writing, story, music... in fact, it's difficult for me not to like a film in some respect. Clearly, I like "Walter Mitty" but don't let my pass/fail grading criteria fool you. This film is clever, touching, and—most surprisingly—authentic, and it accomplishes this in a multitude of ways.
I'm not going to summarize the plot of the story; surely, you know it by now and are simply wondering whether it's worth a viewing or not. The short answer is: yes. But if you want to know /why/, continue reading. I will, instead, examine the movie based on what I perceive to be its artistic merits.
First, the cinematography is splendid. The film possesses a very clean, sharp look. The colors are quite vibrant, and nearly leap off the screen (helped immensely by the truly awe-inspiring locations the film takes place in, from the busy streets of NYC to the solitary landscapes of Greenland and Iceland). "Walter Mitty" is pleasing to the eye, which is always a plus.
Ben Stiller's directing is smart and inspired, and surprisingly high- octane when needed (the first daydream sequence comes to mind, as Stiller's vision caught me quite off guard, in a very good way). Visually speaking, I knew the film was in good hands from the opening scene—it's a simple sequence of Walter sitting in his apartment pining away on his laptop, and yet Stiller's framing is careful and deliberate, conveying Walter's sense of isolation and loneliness. Indeed, Stiller's directing throughout the film is always thoughtful, and never lazy. There are some directors who maintain the same style of filming throughout their careers, but there is a very clear and traceable evolution throughout Stiller's filmography, and "Walter Mitty" is his best yet.
The screenplay overachieves to a great degree. Ostensibly a film about an awkward, stagnating introvert (in conjunction with what was revealed in trailers and television spots), the audience will surprisingly find themselves on an international adventure. My biggest fear—as a writer myself—was Walter's goal: of course, he wants the girl but what will separate this film from others of the same genre? Or is it just another clone? Fortunately, there are indeed two conflicts (including wooing Cheryl, played by Kristen Wiig) that propel the story on its improbable course. And the two main characters themselves are thoroughly fleshed- out as the story goes along. We accompany them on this grand journey and truly witness a transformation occur in both of them, and you can't help but feel happy. In the end, the story is crafted with the utmost cleverness and care (the dialogue is especially rich if one pays attention), and with just enough over-the-top sequences, it manages to find glimmers of humor, action, and humanity in every little nook possible.
I often feel bad for composers for comedy/romantic comedy films because they never really get to show off their chops or introduce complex melodies when all they're scoring is dialogue- and humor-based scenes; there's just not that much opportunity to really shine. With that being said, however, composer Theodore Shapiro does a commendable job. The music that accompanies "Walter Mitty" is often whimsical, with a slight air of hope, and touching when it needs to be. There were indeed two or three scenes where the music was rather noticeable and really bolstered the emotional punch, and that was a very pleasant and welcomed surprise.
Just a few words before I end: I'm not a very big fan of comedy films. In fact, the last comedy film that I voluntarily watched was probably "The 40 Year-Old Virgin." With that being said, however, I don't consider "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" to be a comedy. Rather, it comes across as a drama/adventure film with humorous moments sprinkled throughout. To be quite frank: I didn't actually laugh at all during this film—but I enjoyed it immensely, and can say with all honesty that it is on my shortlist of favorite films for 2013.
Strangely enough, I've always been a fan of Ben Stiller's work. I just find his characters and acting to be relatable and authentic. I have a few friends that scoff at his films and the fact that I like them, perhaps the way some scoff at Adam Sandler for seemingly losing his touch after "Happy Gilmore" and "Billy Madison." But there's just something about Stiller's movies that are borderline outlandish (if not outright), and yet, I find them to be extremely honest to the human condition—and his latest directorial work is no exception. All in all, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is an excellent character study and a touching coming-of-middle-age story. It bubbles with vitality in every scene and conveys a fun carpe diem message. In fact, I enjoyed this film so much that I re-watched it immediately after my first viewing. Simply put, you will not regret watching "Walter Mitty." Instead, you will find yourself filled with a poignant sense of hope and—for lack of a better word—happy.