May not be the best but certainly is one of the most beautiful films of the last year

Rating: 10/10 (26 January 2014)

Walter Mitty is the fictional character from the short story by James Thurber. It was first published in "The New Yorker" in 1939. Although the movie differs completely from the original story, one thing, the main character, remains relevant at all times. Walter Mitty is a person who spends more time in heroic daydreams than pays attention to the real world. In movie this is called "zoning out" and is characterized by the blank stares of the main character. Movie has increasing pace, constantly changing situations and people which both become more and more fancy and Mitty always deals with them in simple open-hearted dedicated manner. In these aspects this movie is very much alike "Forrest Gump" or Tim Burton's "Big Fish". In fact, this movie even equals them.
In movie Walter Mitty works at "Life" magazine with photography negatives. His life seems to be so simple that even the suite he wears is gray. Walter has strong affections towards co-worker Cheryl Melhoff (played by Kristen Wiig) but is too shy to talk about his feelings. His everyday dull life also includes being bullied by human resources manager Ted Hendricks (Adam Scott). Everything begins to change in Walters life from inside out when it turns out that the "Life" will be publishing the last paper issue of the magazine and he receives photo negatives intended for the cover. It turns out that the important for everyone cover photo is missing. Encouraged by his muse Cheryl Melhoff he embarks on the journey of the lifetime. Soon main characters real life begins to surpass the imagined one and he "zones out" less and less often.
Script is great and has no flows. There are completely no excess things as they usually reaper latter on in the movie having meaning and giving acceleration to the plot. Dialogues are well thought out. Acting is convincing and the cast is picked well. Most of the movie time, however, belongs to Ben Stiller and all other characters have only secondary importance. Mysterious maverick and adventure hunter Sean O'Connell played by Sean Penn and Cheryl Melhoff character are the source of inspiration for Mitty and have short but effective both in timing and impact appearances. Worth of mentioning is also the annoying bearded boss Ted Hendricks who brings in mixed elements of comedy and injustice towards main character. Exceptionally well performances give all actors who play natives of Greenland, Iceland and Himalayas. Less talked about they seem to living in the scenes.
Stiller as a director remains true to his comedian style and enriches this drama with comedy elements. This makes the movie easier to watch. The most exceptional aspect of the film is its cinematography. Landscapes, lightning in the scenes, takes and the storyboard are nearly perfect. Some exceptional scenes like football match in Himalayas are unforgettable. This movie certainly deserves Academy Award in the category of Cinematography. In addition to this, music and sound editing add warmth and comfort to overall experience of being in the search of adventure.
In summary, this relaxing and heart-warming film leaves the feel that it is not about people but for the people. It has several many times heard before but rarely showed so breathtakingly important messages. Human imagination is a powerful tool which should not be quenched in everyday life as it determines not only how you feel but what you may tend to do in the future, joy in life lies in small things which we rarely see and etc. The secret 25th frame of Sean O'Connell film tells that the purpose of life may be the search in the meaning of life itself and that those who dare to seek it would feel very essence of living. The movie has the feel of freedom and relaxes audience. The best and the deepest work of Ben Stiller. Also, underrated which makes it a personal pleasant discovery for the viewer.