Read Mixed User Reviews for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

4

JanLDec 27, 2013

I had high hopes for this movie, but, ultimately, it was very disappointing. I kept waiting for something to affect me emotionally, but it never happened. Some beautiful scenery was filmed.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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5

heyitsmegrif4Dec 31, 2013

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is not a bad movie; however, its faults are quite jarring. Ben Stiller leads the film and he doesn't do a very nice job of it. He does not shine and he doesn't behind the camera as well. Kristen Wiig, ShirleyThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty is not a bad movie; however, its faults are quite jarring. Ben Stiller leads the film and he doesn't do a very nice job of it. He does not shine and he doesn't behind the camera as well. Kristen Wiig, Shirley Maclaine, and Patton Oswalt are the bright spots of the film as well as its beautiful cinematography. The ending is quite nice but most event sin the film are nothing spectacular or even good. Walter Mitty doesn't show the effort that apparently was involved. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is 46% of a good movie.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

TVJerryJan 3, 2014

Forget the original short story: This has been hijacked by Ben Stiller's ego (he also directed) into a confused commercial mess. He plays a mild-mannered worker at LIFE magazine, who lapses into heroic daydreams. After a threatening job eventForget the original short story: This has been hijacked by Ben Stiller's ego (he also directed) into a confused commercial mess. He plays a mild-mannered worker at LIFE magazine, who lapses into heroic daydreams. After a threatening job event and the urging of a woman (Kristen Wiig in her blandest role yet) he's inspired to go on a real adventure that takes him to Greenland and Afghanistan. The plot abounds with illogical moments, heavy-handed characters, loose ends and embarrassing product placement. There's nothing particularly imaginative here, although some of the scenery is pretty. Stiller lacks the acting chops or directing skills to give this silly fantasy any true heart or vision.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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6

jonhDec 28, 2013

First act of the movie was very clunky.. mix of goofy humor (which mostly misses) and stock characters. But have to admit the movie grew on me. Interesting use of an almost entirely comedic casting (Stiller, Wiig, Oswald, Scott, manyFirst act of the movie was very clunky.. mix of goofy humor (which mostly misses) and stock characters. But have to admit the movie grew on me. Interesting use of an almost entirely comedic casting (Stiller, Wiig, Oswald, Scott, many others..) for what became more of a (mild) drama than a comedy.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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6

Bruce722Apr 29, 2014

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was unfortunately a bit of a disappointment. It had all of the pieces in place to be one of those great movies that combine a certain innocent charm with insight and introspection to deliver a heartfelt andThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty was unfortunately a bit of a disappointment. It had all of the pieces in place to be one of those great movies that combine a certain innocent charm with insight and introspection to deliver a heartfelt and emotional movie that anyone can relate to. However, instead of putting that all together in a fashion that feels genuine, like The Truman Show for example, it just feels like it's missing something. Ben Stiller is great and Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine, and Patton Oswalt (among others) do a great job in their supporting roles, albeit far shorter than they should've been. I think the big problem was Adam Scott's character. People like that are so seldom they almost don't even exist and this movie hinging on his "bullying" made it tough to relate to. I don't mind that the pace was slow either. I expected that. I didn't expect for the film to build to a moment of revelation only to end abruptly and without much to hang your hat on, so to speak.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

Trev29Apr 26, 2014

Weird movie. Not entirely sure how I felt about it. If you just watch it for the kind of interesting adventure and forget all the other nonsense it works well enough. There were good moments independent of the rest if the film.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

Prodigy2013Jan 12, 2014

It feels like a chore mustering up a review for ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’, because there really isn't much to talk to about. Ben Stiller’s attempt to direct, co-produced and star, in a film about a man overcoming adversities to doIt feels like a chore mustering up a review for ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’, because there really isn't much to talk to about. Ben Stiller’s attempt to direct, co-produced and star, in a film about a man overcoming adversities to do “awesome stuff” may seem a bit self glorifying. But it is interesting to note that the most (and only) appealing presence in this film was his love interest Cheryl, well played by Kristen Wiig. For a movie that blends romance, adventure, fantasy and comedy-drama, it felt awfully bland… but that should be expected when the main character, the one who the film literally revolves around, is a blank slate. Beyond those flashy dream sequences, Mitty wasn't really saying much; it seems Stiller wasn't apt to directing or playing this subtle character. I found it difficult to root for him and his globe-trotting adventure of “self discovery”, when the man himself was nothing more than vanilla, from start to finish. Not particularly funny, nor creative; Steve Conrad’s impatient script was all over the place. I also found that the dramatic elements of the films were blatantly coerced, as they weren't able to manifest naturally through the (haphazard) rhythms of the story. One thing I did appreciate was Stuart Dryburgh’s gorgeous cinematography that brought the great outdoors and the sleek corporate settings to life. I really wish I could like this whimsical, odd ball story; but it just wasn't doing it for me.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

RetroView25Dec 26, 2013

RetroView25, Here once more again and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is not more about Walter Mitty himself but more a "Open Love Letter" to once ironic "Life Magazine" which has not been monthly published since 2000... And, a little sadRetroView25, Here once more again and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is not more about Walter Mitty himself but more a "Open Love Letter" to once ironic "Life Magazine" which has not been monthly published since 2000... And, a little sad irony here is that Life dot Com site mention in the film ended January 2012 in real life!!! Also, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty really did not showcase the legacy or their importance to the WORLD; through their Pictures!!!

In truth, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty plays out more like a infomercial movie for "Life Takes Visa" Commercials!!! Except; Mr. Mitty is burning a hole through his savings doing all this searching self discovery journey; portraying a "Where in the World is Matt Lauer/Carmen Sandiego?" episode...
Along with a running gag against eHarmony Dating Site to say in short: "You will find love by living life then clicking one profile at a time"!!!

Final: There is no real closure in the film... Your kinda left hoping that Walter Mitty will be all right, with his new found self... At last, like all our ventures in "Life"... Get it!?!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

edpichlerJan 17, 2014

I expected so more...
They didn't know how to take care of such a rich story. The movie lost the chance to be a lot much better.
The actors were poor on their performance. Such story should not be a comedy movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

jasper6333Jan 28, 2014

Ben Stiller surely put his hearth into this movie. and don't get me wrong i did like the movie. but some moments go to fast for me. than he is still in America but some time later he is in a boat going to Iceland. it's in my opinion notBen Stiller surely put his hearth into this movie. and don't get me wrong i did like the movie. but some moments go to fast for me. than he is still in America but some time later he is in a boat going to Iceland. it's in my opinion not really realistic. that kinda ruined it for me. but still if you want to see a movie that is interesting/funny this is a movie for you to go to!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

JacobSep 26, 2014

A lot of whether or not you like this film will be based on whether or not you’ve read the short story the film is based on. If you are not familiar with the original story you will probably enjoy this film a lot and think it’s a great feelA lot of whether or not you like this film will be based on whether or not you’ve read the short story the film is based on. If you are not familiar with the original story you will probably enjoy this film a lot and think it’s a great feel good movie and be baffled as to why others didn’t like it. If you have read the short story you will probably find the film hard to get into as while it is visually great and there is some good cinematography the film deviates a lot from the source material while trying to take a simple short story and expand it into a 2 hour movie. If you are one of those people’s whose read the original story then you might want to cleanse your mind of it if you want to enjoy the cute little film. For me I’m in the middle on one end this film is entertaining and I was engaged but at the same time it was nagging at me that this was deviating and at times betraying the original story. I guess at the end of the day its more good than bad but at the same time it is kind of annoying to once again see Hollywood take a wonderful story and make it into something eh.… Expand