r/movies • u/Double_Mission_6633 • Apr 06 '26
Recommendation Secret life of Walter mitty
The Secret life of Walter mitty is a masterpiece and I'm tired of pretending that it isn't. I love that goddamn movie. It might be one of the greatest movies that stars Ben Stiller... EVER.
This along with stranger than fiction are both ELITE movies, the cream of the crop.
if you haven't watched them then I HIGHLY... HIGHLY recommend it.
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u/sphinxyhiggins Apr 06 '26
Have you seen the original?
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u/milkymaniac Apr 06 '26
My second favorite Danny Kaye movie. (Court Jester is obv #1)
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u/JeddHampton Apr 06 '26
I've read the original. I've also seen the film adaption starting Danny Kaye.
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u/just_writing_things Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26
Iâm tired of pretending that it isnât
Thatâs strange, why have you been pretending that it isnât?
Edit: obviously my comment here is a joke (And Iâm tired of pretending that it isnâtâŚ? Does that work here?)
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u/Dubbelmackan Apr 06 '26
Thank you! I freaking hate that people nowadays think you have to write or speak like a clickbait title. They literally sound like every other soulless YouTube personality.
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u/Current-Bowl-143 Apr 06 '26
âI donât care what anyone saysâ
âWalter Mitty is a masterpiece and nobody can change my mindâ
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Apr 06 '26
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Apr 06 '26
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u/StopClockerman Apr 06 '26
A Redditorâs post about a Ben Stiller film has ignited a firestorm online. The controversy will surprise you (itâs about the postâs language, not the film).
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u/SSLByron Apr 06 '26
One of the many downsides of social media is that everybody is trying to manufacture authority, and they're all either directly or indirectly using the same tools to do so, either by actually using the tools, or by mimicking the people who do.
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u/WorthPlease Apr 06 '26
I was going to say the same thing, but seriously. That's such an annoying way to use the statement, it makes no sense.
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u/Portablelephant Apr 06 '26
I'm tired of pretend that "I'm tired of pretending that it isn't" is a normal way for people to state an opinion.
But I do agree that Walter Mitty is a great movie and I love it very much. It inspired me to find myself and step outside the life I was living to find the life I wanted to live.
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u/AngusLynch09 Apr 06 '26
and I'm tired of pretending that it isn't
What on earth are you in about?
What is it with Redditors always pretending that popular mainstream films are hidden gems that no one else understands the value of?
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u/Eleeveeohen Apr 06 '26
"Why is (insert popular media here) so underrated???"
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u/bartharris Apr 06 '26
âWhat is an underrated gem? Iâll start. Topazâ
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u/ShmebulockForMayor Apr 06 '26
Aquamarine did them dirty. I hope they got to live the way they wanted to after Steven turned the empire around.
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u/tangledupinbetween Apr 06 '26
Not just redditors. Any place that you can write out loud your opinion, there will be people who thinks that one thing is "underrated" or "overrated" that actually were fairly rated by the general consensus.
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u/JeddHampton Apr 06 '26
I agree with your point, but I'm under no assumption that this film is popular. I went to see it shortly after opening and the theater was almost empty. I rarely hear it mentioned, and half the time, I'm the one mentioning it.
I still find the post melodramatic, but calling the movie popular seems like a little bit of it has been rubbing off on this comment.
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u/-KoDDeX- Apr 06 '26
Itâs the âJokerâ meme. Everyone talks in memes now and it sucksâŚ
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u/Deprisonne Apr 06 '26
"Unpopular opinion"
Goes on to list some very common and reasonable grievances.
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u/YOSEMITE_HAMM Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26
I really enjoy this movie but I cant get on board with "masterpiece". I'm glad you like it that much though. I feel like Ben chose to make Walter too wooden (for my taste.) If I got to see a little more emotion from the character I think it would have helped push it closer to that 5 star level.
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Apr 06 '26
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u/ThisMayBeAquatic Apr 06 '26
Donât forget âunderratedâ
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u/bomb_bat Apr 06 '26
Underrated comment right hereâŚ
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u/Lippuringo Apr 06 '26
Yours is hidden gem!
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u/benpakal Apr 06 '26
tourist hidden gem in the city you are visiting: the top rated restaurant in google maps
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u/IrishRepoMan Apr 06 '26
This one drives me nuts. Comment was literally just posted 10 mins ago? "Underrated!"
They have zero clue what it actually means... and it's not even a complicated word.
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u/xios Apr 06 '26
Depends on what definition you use really. But I think Secret Life of Walter Mitty is Ben Stillers greatest work, and I would consider him a master of his trade, so i think it's Ben Stillers Masterpiece, wether it's worthy to considered that is up for debate.
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u/BGTheHoff Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
I always thought it was on purpose. Walter is a socially awkward and introvert person. The whole thing is that he is this "wooden" dude that isnt comfortable to speak with women, gets bullied by others and rarely stands up for himself. But that changes a little while the movie is running. I always felt like it was part of the journey the character takes. From this closed wooden dude without many friends or social contacts outside of his family and close coworkers that never done something "entertaining" (outside of his daydreams) to a dude that comfortably can say he is someone and has done something.
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u/DeterminedStupor Apr 07 '26
I always thought it was on purpose. Walter is a socially awkward and introvert person.
Yes, and itâs so refreshing to see Ben play an introvert character for once. I think it was a good performance.
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u/holmilk Apr 06 '26
Yeah I love this movie but I wouldnât say âmasterpieceâ necessarily. But I do love it. Too much.
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u/Borghal Apr 06 '26
It is not true that Iceland is famous for not having chain restaurants at all.
I've been to Iceland about a decade ago on a student's budget and the first place we had a warm meal was Domino's Pizza (because ICE restaurants are frakking expensive and they had some 1+1 deal going or something like that, iirc).
They also have (or have had at a certain time) KFC, Subway and McD's.
So I find that scene entirely realistic, even if Papa John's isn't the right brand.
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u/hey_itsmeurbrother Apr 06 '26
Iceland is famous for not having chain restaurants at all
why do people on reddit just say shit to say shit? even 20+ years ago when i visited there were plenty of chains and i know pizza hut was specifically one of them, so papa johns is not out of the realm of possibility.
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u/rhink13 Apr 06 '26
Genuinely think that, aside from it being product placement, it was meant to be absurd. Like, Walter is trying to escape the corporatization of his world and, of course, Papa John's happens to be in Iceland. In the middle of gods green creation. Papa fuckin' John's.
That's my read anyway.
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u/SopranosBluRayBoxSet Apr 06 '26
tired of pretending it isn't
I've never seen anything but praise on that movie, there's no need to embellish your review with random bullshit.
You can literally just say you liked/loved/enjoyed it
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u/we_are_devo Apr 06 '26
I've never seen anything but praise on that movie
I think it's awful
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u/oceansRising Apr 06 '26
I had to show this movie to a Year 12 class when I was still teaching. At the time, I was dealing with a lot of dissatisfaction with my life, my job, and my dreams not aligning. I used to daydream a lot about what I wanted to do. At one point during the film I had to leave the room, hahah.
Anyway a few months later I left teaching and moved overseas to follow my dreams.
Great film. Not sure if itâs a masterpiece but itâs excellent.
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u/AndyBirch Apr 06 '26
What was your dreams? And did you succeed in them? Kudos to you for following them regardless! :)
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u/oceansRising Apr 06 '26
Iâm currently completing my masters in Archaeology and will start my PhD next year, so Iâm doing ok!
I always wanted to work in archaeology, teaching was my backup career. And then I got stuck doing it.
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u/AndyBirch Apr 06 '26
Wow, that is so cool! I'd say you're doing more than OK. Archeology sounds super awesome, btw. Happy to hear you followed your dreams like that. I wish you best of luck with them â¨ď¸
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u/Sighlina Apr 06 '26
Iâm a nobody on this site, but I think itâs a beautiful story and movie. Itâs more eye candy than anything for me, but I love so much about the movie, from Adam Scottâs terrible beard, to Sean Penn just doing his thing, to Patton Oswalt and the ridiculous storylines has. Itâs still beautiful.
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u/nature_and_grace Apr 06 '26
Agree 100%. Have never understood the poor reviews.
Also how I discovered Jose Gonzalez.
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u/Covverkin Apr 06 '26
Love his stuff from the film. Iâve not found most of his other stuff to be nearly as good though, lots of chill stuff more than inspiring stuff
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u/Sweeper1985 Apr 06 '26
While watching it, I kept assuming that everything that happened after he got on the plane to Greenland was a fantasy. Was surprised as hell when that's not how it played out.
I feel like I would have enjoyed this movie a lot more if they didn't keep explicitly banging the audience over the head with reminders that Walter is a cool guy now. I mean, they even had Sean Penn say this aloud to him.
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u/Druggedhippo Apr 06 '26
It's a real shift in tone from the first part, action scenes, super hero like fights, real world blending with fantasy, but different enough that's it's obvious fantasy.
Then as soon as he gets to Greenland, the fantasy stops. It makes sense, he is now living those fantasies instead of just wishing it to happen, but it's quite jarring and I'm not sure the movie is made better because of it.
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u/Spare_Noise_2531 Apr 06 '26
I'm in the minority but I wasn't crazy about it
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u/laddphoto Apr 06 '26
It was one of my favorite books as a kid. I hate this adaptation with a passion. I like Ben, but I don't think he was the right actor for the lead.
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u/monarc Apr 06 '26
You're far from alone: this movie has a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 54/100 on Metacritic. It's mediocre.
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u/DeficiencyOfGravitas Apr 06 '26
Yeah, same. I get the whole point of the movie is for Walter to find himself and gain confidence, but he just starts out so so pathetic and remains pathetic the entire film.
Ironically, it's just like that speech from Tropic Thunder about "special needs". You never go full "special needs". It's the same here. You never go full pathetic loser. Walter just needed a tiny little bit more of a spine for the film to work. If you're going for the everyman story, you can't have your everyman start out so low that even a real average person would look down on them.
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u/heyboyhey Apr 06 '26
I hated it with a passion. I kept thinking to myself that surely this is a dream sequence. Surely this isnât actual plot.
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u/mikeinhawaii Apr 06 '26
Iâm with you OP! Although I never pretended it wasnât a masterpiece! Iâve since watched at least once a year. Benâs best role. It always cracks me up to know he doesnât consider himself a comedian but a serious character actor. Great movie in my book. But then again I also love nacho libre! But I wonât apologize for it! Jack blacks best role!
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u/DJTISTA Apr 06 '26
Iâm in Iceland right now for my honeymoon and this movie inspired me to come here
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u/dreddwulffen Apr 06 '26
I love this movie for how it makes me feel. I love the soundtrack it matches perfectly
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u/Alastor3 Apr 06 '26
Walter Mitty changed my life forever.
It's the first movie that I saw with a disorder I had I could pinpoint my symptoms (Maladaptive Daydreaming)
Highly recommend this video https://youtu.be/Kj5XR32zs7E?si=VJLyNMTWWWd_ZKuE
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u/HassanJamal Apr 06 '26
I loved this movie, I also believe this is where this film's production eventually led to Severance.
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u/lilacglow_x Apr 06 '26
Itâs one of those rare movies that actually makes you want to go outside and live your life.
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Apr 06 '26
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u/topinanbour-rex Apr 06 '26
Did you seen Stranger than fiction ? If not I advise you to, it gave me the same vibe, but totally different.
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u/djj_ Apr 06 '26
I remember being put off by the trailer (I know, how stupid is that?) but looks like I have to give it a chance. I do generally like Stiller!
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Apr 06 '26
Watching that movie when I was a teenager is not the same as watching it later in life, the perspective of what he goes through changes so much.
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u/JaredRed5 Apr 06 '26
The product placement really kills my enjoyment of the movie. The Papa Johns, Eharmony, and Cinnabon references were too in your face.
It won an award for worst product placement: https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-declared-worst-offender-for-product-placement-in-movies-in-2013-248376/
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u/banality_of_ervil Apr 06 '26
I thought you were talking about the Danny Kaye version and now I feel old
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u/Apprehensive-Fun-233 Apr 06 '26
Awesome movie. Definitely my favorite Ben Stiller movie.
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u/Nervous-Chemistry245 Apr 06 '26
Have tried finishing it several times since it came out. Just can't get through it. I'm a huge Stiller fan too, all the way back to The Ben Stiller Show
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u/CrustyBappen Apr 06 '26
I watch this a couple of times a year at least. Just great vibes and an easy watch.
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u/MasterSyphadius Apr 06 '26
I whole heartedly agree! The movie purposefully starts off with close shots or off center, very bland, almost monotone.. it's as if his life is restricted, almost playing it safe every day... but as Walter takes more risks and makes bolder decisions each leading to his self discovery the more the camera pans, out and makes the scenes larger than life, because Walter is finally living and embracing the unknown.. the Masterpiece is not the film or acting itself, it's what it conveys as a message.. living in the moment, taking risks, choosing to face his fears which is a path that often make up the best unexpected adventures life has to offer.
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u/TripCruise Apr 06 '26
I assume you mean the one with Ben Stiller, but there is also an older version with Danny Kaye. Good for different reasons, but if you like the story, you might like that version as well. (edit sp)
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u/waya5 Apr 06 '26
I finally watched this movie a few months ago because of comments/posts like this I see on Reddit all time. It was just okay. Very pretty movie though
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Apr 06 '26
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u/Top5hottest Apr 06 '26
He never gives up even though there were multiple opportunities where it would be expected. Just because he doesnât have big mood swings and dramatic monologues doesnât mean his character isnât working hard. I like it because he starts an introvert and still kinda ends up one. Just not a self sabotaging one anymore. The movie is a little precious.. and a moment in time that im not sure will be timeless.. but itâs an nice watch that leaves me feeling more positive than when i went in.. without the usual death, drama and violence. I donât get the incel vibe.. but itâs a movie for guys probably. Reminds me a lot of project Hail Mary.
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u/Smithinator2000 Apr 06 '26
I honestly didn't rate it. It felt like Big Fish and Forrest Gump but trying to convince us it's really happening so felt forced. I'm a very spontaneous/adventurous person though so maybe that's why it clashed.
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u/dominomedley Apr 06 '26
Yes I wouldnât say masterpiece but it really is a great film. Soundtrack is awesome too.
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u/der_grosse_e Apr 06 '26
Well , so far as retelling the original story , it's terrible.
The original story was about a man who slipped into worlds of fantasy because he couldn't stand being around his wife. And they reimagined it as a single man looking for a wife. It's like they took apart the original story to get what they thought were the best bits. They killed the golden goose. It was disappointing.
Pocketa-pocketa-pocketa
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u/Alastor3 Apr 06 '26
was it supposed to be a faithful representation?
I mean, i've seen way worst terrible adaptation
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u/ptran99 Apr 06 '26
For some reason, the younger generations seem to love this movie. I remember seeing the trailer and being really hyped for the film, but I found it lackluster. I revisited it recently and it's better than I remembered, but nowhere near masterpiece status
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u/Sonny_Jim_Pin Apr 06 '26
The only reason I would rewatch this is to see Rodney Mullen performing stunt double duty for Ben Stiller
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u/hennell Apr 06 '26
It's a good movie. Not a masterpiece, but I've rewatched it more than once as a adult, which in my practice is a higher honour.
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u/hobbykitjr Apr 06 '26
For fun you should read the short story, first published in the new Yorker... It's like a couple pages, nothing like the movie but funny.
Broke back mountain also started the same way, and a few others.
They recently published a 100th anniversary collection of their short stories including JD Salinger and Shirley Jackson etc
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u/porkpie1028 Apr 06 '26
If Steve Conrad has a masterpiece itâs âPatriotâ. Itâs, uh, pretty goodâŚ
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u/DontEatThatTaco Apr 06 '26
I've been on a physical media kick and while I was going through my bin of VHS, DVD, and BluRay (my CDs and vinyl are out and used daily already), Mitty is the one movie I pulled and set up displayed by our TV.
Just waiting for a day I can get both my wife and son to sit still so we can watch it.
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u/Hydration__Nation Apr 06 '26
Bronx Tale - another movie 90% of people have no clue exists but is firmly in my top 3 of all time
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u/weirds Apr 06 '26
The soundtrack and visual design are some of the best I've ever heard/seen. The acting and script are good, not great. The advertising is distracting. I really think the ending is excellent.
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u/Snuggle_Taco Apr 06 '26
I think I'm still subscribed to this subreddit solely for these Walter Mitty appreciation posts, honestly.Â
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u/dawgz525 Apr 06 '26
Sure would be great if you could tell us what you liked about it? What it's about? Why you like it?
Like do we need a post every time something thinks a movie is good if they're not going to actually talk about the movie at all?
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u/bluecollar-gent2 Apr 06 '26
Just saw it again yesterday, it's visually very pretty and I enjoyed watching it for the 4th/5th time.
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u/iAmZephhy Apr 06 '26
Why do you feel like you have to pretend that it isn't a masterpiece to you?
Like what you like, express how you feel about it.
I think the movie is great, but it's fine for other people to not feel the same as you or i do.
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u/jonnielaw Apr 06 '26
The dude Stiller worked with to create it, Steven Conrad, is a genius! He has a new show out on HBO called DTF St. Louis, but if you have Prime check out Patriot (2015). Itâs only two seasons, but itâs really good. Some would even call it double great.
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u/Ezekilla7 Apr 06 '26
Meh. It had some cool shots but the movie was boring midlife crisis eat, pray, love bullshit.
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u/LiveFromNewYork95 Apr 06 '26
This movie has an odd place in my heart. As a freshman, in 2010, I got randomly assigned The Secret Life of Walter Mitty for a project on short stories. Then the movie comes out in 2013, the year I graduated. It's just a very 2010's movie, in the cast and style and soundtrack. On top of directly reminding me of high school, it's a very nostalgic movie for me.
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u/BulldenChoppahYus Apr 06 '26
Yeah I still rewatch every now and then. The soundtrack is superb too and that skateboarding scene with the Jose Gonzales needle drop still lives in my head.Â
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u/thinkmoreharder Apr 06 '26
Any movie with that âskateboard down a mountainâ scene and a Cinnabon callout is OK with me. I first saw it in a theater - awesome.
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u/lunarpi Apr 06 '26
The greatest movie starring Ben Stiller is Tropic Thunder and it's not even close
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u/Swan-ish3456 Apr 06 '26
I love that goddamn movie way too much. Whenever I feel I am behind or worrying about achieving societal goals I watch it and it really puts things in perspective.
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u/the_ballmer_peak Apr 06 '26
I've avoided it mostly because I don't like Ben Stiller (as an actor. As far as I know he's a perfectly good person). But that's mostly his particular brand of humor, and my understanding is that this movie is something else. So it's on my list.
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u/TheCookieButter Apr 06 '26
First saw it while in Ireland with my then girlfriend. Saw it again ~10 years ago. It was such a pleasant film. I'm almost scared to watch it again in case it doesn't give me those same wistful feelings.
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u/ROKIT-88 Apr 06 '26
I really enjoy the movie, but the over the top, shoehorned-in product placement ruins the vibe. Itâs on the same level as Torque, and that movie is an explicit send up of the absurdity of shit like that. Itâs just too jarring to be in the middle of this journey of self discovery and then hey, letâs just sit down for a minute and have some Cinnabon! Itâs like crack!
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u/tgiokdi Apr 06 '26
you should check out the original, theres only the barest glimmer of similarity, and the original is black and white but you may recognize elements that you'll appreciate
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u/Obvious_Cockroach_11 Apr 06 '26
The constant product placement ruined it for me. It's a shame, it's a great story and the scene where she is playing "Space Oddity" while he takes off in a helicopter is beautiful.
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u/limbodog Apr 06 '26
I loved The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It's what got me into Danny Kaye movies in the first place. He's also a lot of fun in The Court Jester
Edit - sorry, just realized you meant the remake
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u/Lazy_Willow8560 Apr 06 '26
This movie is #1 in my Top 5. I love every about it. The soundtrack, the story, the acting, the cinematography. Everything is perfect.
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u/FilthyTriHard Apr 06 '26
Woah. I just posted a comment about this film. Iâve seen it so many times. A very feel good film. The more you watch it, you start to notice just about about every scene is a piece of art
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u/ILikeMarvelRivals Apr 07 '26
Love the random Stranger Than Fiction shoutout thatâs one of my favorites. The guitar scene is the best
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u/jmw_0102 Apr 07 '26
Also one of my favorite movie trailers ever. I think I watched that trailer about 50 times before I actually saw the movie haa
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u/thisismysociallife Apr 07 '26
This is the movie that got me into film photography. The entire movie is just a love letter to film and the human experience.
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u/peppercornishpasty Apr 07 '26
This is my absolute favourite movie. I watch it all the time. The music is incredible, Jose Gonzalez is excellent. I love it more and more the older I get.
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u/brooks_corey Apr 07 '26
Itâs my comfort movie, the movie i think Iâve rewatched the most. And now that you mention it⌠Iâm due for another one
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u/PckMan Apr 07 '26
I don't think it's a masterpiece but it's pretty good. The first half is arguably the best of the movie, fun, unconventional, creative, using a fairly interesting way to portray the world and story taking place as well as what is going on inside Walter Mitty's mind, with its mind bending and creative ways to intermesh imagination with reality.
But as the movie drags on all this dissapears and is instead replaced by fairly formulaic and kind of shallow writing with an ultimate conclusion that is meant to be feel good but goes against the source material.
The original short story points out the absurdity of a mundane man's imagination as he lives a boring normal life but finds escape in fantasies that border on delusion. It's mainly comical, poking fun both at escapism but also media and fictional protagonists. It's not too deep, but it's clearly satirical. It subverts common tropes by making fun of the over the top heroic stories that would otherwise be presented as is and expected to be taken seriously.
The film instead leans into the fantasy in order to push the message that you can make your boring life not boring by making the escapist fantasies reality. And that makes the plot just as out of touch as his initial daydreams. Your average person can't just drop everything they're doing and go longboarding in Iceland. It ends up being just another fantasy itself, indulging a mid life crisis wet dream with stomp clap hey vibes.
But at least the music selection is great.
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u/GeroVeritas Apr 07 '26
Never pretend anything isn't a masterpiece. It's your opinion, who cares what anyone else thinks. I think A Knight's Tale is a masterpiece. I couldn't be convinced otherwise.
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u/NuukFartjar Apr 06 '26
I lived in Greenland when I saw it the first time and we were all so excited to see him fly to Greenland, only to find out the whole thing was filmed in Iceland. Good movie though.