The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: December 25, 2013
7.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 620 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
465
Mixed:
107
Negative:
48
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
KimcheeDudeMay 14, 2015
I made an account with Metacritic so that I could help raise the User Score of this amazingly subtle and artistic movie. The more times I watch the movie and think of it, the more I appreciate the film for what it does. Ben Stiller delivers aI made an account with Metacritic so that I could help raise the User Score of this amazingly subtle and artistic movie. The more times I watch the movie and think of it, the more I appreciate the film for what it does. Ben Stiller delivers a painfully awkward performance that absolutely matches the heart of his character, Walter Mitty, an aloof negative assets manager at LIFE magazine who believes in what he does. The acting was absolutely solid, and the movie had many throwback moments from the not so subtle image choices to the fitting music.

The subtle greatness of the movie can be easily missed for those who are looking for funnier jokes, slapstick comedy, gushy romantic scenes, and mind boggling plot twists. I hate making comparisons, but the film has a very strong Forrest Gump undertone: the misunderstood/eccentric protagonist who doesn't just undertake a journey in life, but makes life a journey. Though it doesn't have the same grand scheme of Gump, it certainly has precious moments that give you a minute to ponder upon your own life and how you could live in the now, or as the young call it: YOLO.

Kristen Wiig also does an amazing job as the love interest, Cheryl Melhoff.

So in short, watch the movie. Form your own opinion outside of some of the terrible critic reviews. Remember the times you used to imagine in life, and let the film motivate you.… Expand
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10
tethysdustNov 24, 2016
This is the first comedy movie that I have enjoyed in a long time, and it also had a optimistic and well-intentioned heart. I appreciated that it used its premise (Walter being imaginative and regretting his path in life) to craft aThis is the first comedy movie that I have enjoyed in a long time, and it also had a optimistic and well-intentioned heart. I appreciated that it used its premise (Walter being imaginative and regretting his path in life) to craft a meaningful story without simply using it as a gimmick. This is the kind of movie that makes you feel happy when you've finished watching it.… Expand
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9
BeingNickDohNov 19, 2015
Yes, I could not believe the low score this movie got.

It has the elements that make most cult classics stay relevant today. A great theme of how big business is still just a function of the everyday person. Humorous and awkward love atYes, I could not believe the low score this movie got.

It has the elements that make most cult classics stay relevant today. A great theme of how big business is still just a function of the everyday person. Humorous and awkward love at first sight.

Giving this movie less than a 7 means you cannot fill in the blanks with your imagination of who people are... and how they never see themselves as that.… Expand
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10
aadityamudharApr 6, 2016
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a sweet and well-meaning movie whose intent is to inspire and uplift its audience, but it approaches its message with all the subtlety of a sugar rush. It has many entertaining and endearing moments even ifThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a sweet and well-meaning movie whose intent is to inspire and uplift its audience, but it approaches its message with all the subtlety of a sugar rush. It has many entertaining and endearing moments even if it never quite comes together as a fully satisfying whole. Most of its problems are on paper where no gloriously shot vista or Arcade Fire music cue can help. Still, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty's a decent escape from your daily routine. It's just not a great escape. Ben Stiller directs and stars in the heartfelt, but superficial fantasy-dramedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which wants to say big things about life but never fully delivers on all its promise.… Expand
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7
SrPepeFeb 24, 2018
Para los que tenemos una creativa imaginación, esta película es muy interesante.
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9
vebzJun 28, 2016
Love this movie so much that I had to create an account with meta critic. I watch this movie once every few months. I echo other user's who are looking at critic's reviews in disbelieve. This is colourful, engaging and a movie which will giveLove this movie so much that I had to create an account with meta critic. I watch this movie once every few months. I echo other user's who are looking at critic's reviews in disbelieve. This is colourful, engaging and a movie which will give you goosebumps.… Expand
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7
CinemaphileJul 29, 2016
First time director Stiller tries to channel Spike Jonze, but instead of playing this film straight, opts to include odd, quirky SNL style skit humor. Had Stiller's Mitty reboot stayed true to the sentiment of the premise, Mitty Part DeuxFirst time director Stiller tries to channel Spike Jonze, but instead of playing this film straight, opts to include odd, quirky SNL style skit humor. Had Stiller's Mitty reboot stayed true to the sentiment of the premise, Mitty Part Deux could have been a memorable cinematic achievement, but instead it is just a pedestrian reimagination of a greater work with beautiful cinematography and seamless special effects. Take a collection of Thurber stories, get a good night's rest, wait for this one to hit premium cable and call me in the morning.… Expand
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9
MonkiReviewsMay 29, 2017
I loved the style of this movie. It felt like a moment in his life where he needed adventure and love, and he found both. The characters made you feel for them and want to see them again. Truly a amazing movie.
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10
ErrorSourceApr 29, 2022
What an underrated master piece. Everytime i feel my life is wasted i watch this movie to gain motivation and do something about that feeling. Its magical, sometimes melancholic.
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10
GGEZMay 7, 2018
masterpiece ...................................................................................
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10
DawdlingPoetNov 20, 2021
The one word that most comes to mind in relation to this movie is sentimental, or sentimentality. It is, I suppose, something of a life affirming type movie, although it isn't completely slushy, there's the obligatory love interest and indeedThe one word that most comes to mind in relation to this movie is sentimental, or sentimentality. It is, I suppose, something of a life affirming type movie, although it isn't completely slushy, there's the obligatory love interest and indeed an amusing unlikely friendship that blossoms between Walter and a man who works for eHarmony who phones him, which reminds me of at least one plot hole present in the movie - the fact that he supposedly manages to pick up phone calls from Los Angeles on the top of mountains in foreign countries is ever so slightly far fetched but then this is a movie about someone who ends up doing rather far fetched things and who has, certainly previously, let his far fetched imagine get the better of him, so it'd be a bit ironic to note it down for the lack of realism or believability somehow.

I thought there were some nice, quirky characters in the movie (and one clear villainous character who its hard not to want to goo and hiss at when he's on screen!) - apart from the main character, Walter, another example of a memorable character would be a rather drunk, large macho pub karaoke singer that he comes in contact with in Greenland and eventually, against his better judgement, joins for one part of the adventure, with interesting consequences, put it that way!.

Pace wise, I liked that this movie wasn't too fast and furious or 'in your face', the plot develops at a fairly slow pace but there's plenty to keep us entertained in the meantime and I never felt it had become dull and boring. As far as categorising it is concerned, genre-wise, its certainly not a straight action/adventure movie, or not of the usual type anyway, its insular to the character of Walter himself of course, all about his life and realisation of his need to broaden his horizons and make something of himself in his fairly mundane city surroundings, for the most part. As I say its quite a sentimental movie a, its quite sort of uplifting and poignant in parts - I think people who are similar to the main character should be able to relate to him quite easily and I mainly say that because I felt I could certainly relate to him, with my daydreams and sometimes seeming to have not much to say to my name, which isn't entirely true but I suppose I have lived a fairly modest life, I keep to myself and anyway I felt it was easy to relate to and cheer for this character. I guess if you have to categorise it using the few common genres, I'd say this is maybe more of a slow-ish drama.

Overall, I felt it was certainly quite diverting and I particularly liked the scenes where he drifted off into another daydream, when the fantasy type elements come out, that was fun to watch. As I've already hinted at, there are the almost inevitable plot holes in a movie like this, although it didn't spoil my enjoyment of it. I felt the characters and the CGI used but not over-used, thankfully, helped to make this what I thought was quite a heartwarming and at times, touching movie.

Cast wise, it has to be said that I think Ben Stiller was a particularly good actor to portray Walter, as he does very well (although its nothing new for him, as he's played similar types of characters in the past) in convincingly playing the underdog, a laidback, somewhat affable guy who would be easily over looked on the streets. It may also be worth pointing out that Ben Stiller also directed this movie as well as starring as the main character within it. Kristen Wiig plays Walter's love interest, Cheryl Melhoff, who comes across very much as an every day sort of girl, a nice enough character and indeed it'd be hard not to want them to get together, although I won't be spoiling the movie by saying whether anything happens or not. Its not really a romantic movie as such, its just a sub-plot within the over film. Shirley MacLaine also appears as Walter's cheery mother, Edna.

Content wise, well, this movie carries a PG rating, so clearly there isn't much likely to offend people. I can't really think of anything specifically to mention here, if there's anything likely to offen, it'd perhaps be a sense of it being maybe a bit too over sentimental and schmalt-zy. I was quite impressed with the aerial shots of the foreign landscapes - there's some quite good cinematography present.

There's some good dialogue, some is probably unncessary but some is quite poignant. There are some funny moments too as well as some quite touching moments, with the inclusion of some quotes which appear supposedly written across building walls and in random places, what's said in the quote being acted out in the scenes to a degree, as its quite a sort of symbolic movie I suppose.

Yes I'd recommend this, as I felt it was quite a heart warming, sentimental movie that I felt I could relate to. Its probably not for everyone but if it appeals to you then you shouldn't be disappointed, as it has some good characters and a decent cast.… Expand
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7
Ukid1203Jun 22, 2020
Someone was sleeping in the theater, and someone was watching a movie in tears.
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10
Davidvillados28Sep 7, 2020
Una película buena en varios sentidos, le da otro sentido a la vida, que da a conocer como el cine te lleva a otro mundo
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10
TropicalNayrMar 21, 2021
I give this 98% This has a great story and great cinematography great acting, great message, all around great film. This is my favorite film!
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9
HpoonisJun 21, 2022
I came to this with preconceptions in regard to the previous offering. I am glad I was proved wrong. To say this is a 'remake' is definitely an injustice. The 1947 version had Danny Kaye singing making those faces (make a 'face' and all ofI came to this with preconceptions in regard to the previous offering. I am glad I was proved wrong. To say this is a 'remake' is definitely an injustice. The 1947 version had Danny Kaye singing making those faces (make a 'face' and all of a sudden you are an American 'comedian'), and singing happy-go-lucky tunes. I would suggest this version was more akin to something David Lean might offer in terms of cinematography: including the landscape as one of the movie's central characters. For me, the story held up well enough on it's own without being too sugary.

What I took from it was that this story could apply to most people who, on a whim, step away from their comfortable lives and end up doing something they would consider a 'leap into the unknown'. The boarding scene along the empty road struck a chord with me; heading to a destination one hasn't been to, or even heard of, following a tiny thread that leads to...?

I would consider it among Mr. Stiller's best work.… Expand
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8
siggi104Jul 9, 2022
For a drama/comedy movie it's really good with a screenplay that is fairly unique for this genres ramifications. Visually stunning with memorable scenes and a fitting soundtrack to go along with it. Overall a very pleasant watch.
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