Review of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) by Gern B — 20 Dec 2017

This is a beautiful movie full of great characters, sweeping cinemaphotography and supported by a killer and diverse soundtrack.

Poor reviews from "critics" who discuss this movie take their cues from other reviews or the trailer which is action packed with Walter's daydreams. The critics bring this trailer baggage to the theater and when the movie is not what they perceived they cannot focus on the movie in front of them. This isn't a Michael Bay movie. This isn't a mindless movie with wild daydreams. Walter is used to having these crazy daydreams but once his life takes a turn and he has to find a missing negative Walter's daydreams become less frequent and less elaborate as he starts to live an active life. It tells the story of a man weighed down by life's obligations and his only life is through the lenses of photographers he works with. I think some critics bagged on a few product placements within this movie. In this case it makes it seem more real with E Harmony, Papa John's etc vs some made up companies. It didn't bother me because if felt natural and wasn't awkwardly pushed. Lack of mindless daydreams and product placements are hardly worth panning this movie.

I would encourage anyone who hasn't seen this movie to give it a chance. It's both wrong and sad the reception this movie initially received. It is a well-crafted movie.