The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

When both he and a colleague are about to lose their job, Walter takes action by embarking on an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined.

Director:

Ben Stiller

Writers:

Steve Conrad (screenplay by), Steve Conrad (screen story by)

Stars:

Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Jon Daly

5 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Stiller	...	Walter Mitty
Kristen Wiig	...	Cheryl Melhoff
Jon Daly	...	Tim Naughton (as Jonathan C. Daly)
Kathryn Hahn	...	Odessa Mitty
Terence Bernie Hines	...	Gary Mannheim
Adam Scott	...	Ted Hendricks
Paul Fitzgerald	...	Don Proctor
Grace Rex	...	Cheryl's Co-Worker
Alex Anfanger	...	Ted's Toner Box Associate
Amanda Naughton	...	Female Editor
Adrian Martinez	...	Hernando
Nolan Carley	...	Western Union Employee
Joey Slotnick	...	Retirement Home Administrator
Shirley MacLaine	...	Edna Mitty
Gary Wilmes	...	Walter's Dad

Storyline

The manager of the negative assets sector of Life magazine, Walter Mitty, has been working for sixteen years for the magazine and has a tedious life, not going anywhere but from his home to his job and vice-versa. He is an escapist, daydreaming into a world of fantasy many times a day. Walter has a crush on the recently hired Cheryl Melhoff but he is too shy to invite her on a date and he is trying to contact her via online dating. The magazine is preparing to release its last printed edition and the loathsome manager of transition Ted Hendricks is preparing an inevitable downsizing over the next few days. Walter has been the liaison between the magazine and the mysterious independent photographer Sean O'Connell who has sent to him a package of negatives and a wallet as a gift for his work. Sean also suggests to the senior management the use of negative 25 for the cover of the last edition. However, Walter cannot find the negative that is missing. Walter has no means to contact Sean ...

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Plot Keywords:

life magazine | magazine | photographer | daydream | x rayed skeleton | 

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Taglines:

Stop dreaming. Start living.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some crude comments, language and action violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paramount wanted to start filming on December 12, 2005, despite lack of a final budget, because they would lose the remake rights if they didn't start filming before December 20. Owen Wilson dropped out in October 2005 over creative differences. The Hollywood Reporter speculated that Walter Mitty began to falter after Paramount failed to cast a female lead to star opposite Wilson. Scarlett Johansson had reportedly emerged as the front-runner after screen testing with Wilson earlier in October, but a deal was never signed. Paramount executives 'Brad Grey (I)' and Gail Berman decided to put Walter Mitty in turnaround in November 2005. Samuel Goldwyn Jr. found favor at Twentieth Century Fox. In May 2007, it was announced that Mike Myers was attached to star in the title role. Jay Kogen was hired to write a new script specifically tailored for Myers.

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Goofs

When Walter walks with Cheryl to see the final cover of Life magazine, Walter's shoes are black. In the next shot they are brown, and then black again.

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Quotes

[from trailer]
Cheryl: Life is about courage and going into the unknown.

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Crazy Credits

The making and authorized distribution of this film supported over 15,000 jobs and involved hundreds of thousands of work hours.

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Alternate Versions

The British theatrical version was pre-cut during post-production to secure a PG rating (an uncut 12 rating was available to the distributor). This version was the one released worldwide.

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Connections

Featured in Chelsea Lately: Episode #7.194 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Far Away
Written by Tobias Winterkorn, José González and Elias Araya (as Elias Assegahegn Araya)
Performed by José González
Courtesy of Mute
By arrangement with Bank Robber Music

User Reviews

The most beautiful looking film of 2013

I saw this movie on a special sneak preview event. I admit being utterly mesmerized by some of the trailers. I did really enjoy the film. It has a nice message and is definitely a feel good movie. There is nothing wrong with that. For me, this is the most beautifully looking film I've seen this year. The cinematography and camera shots were fantastic - right up there with Life of Pi and Gravity. It's definitely worth seeing on the big screen. I personally enjoyed Ben Stiller in a more serious role. The film has comedic elements but everything is a bit more subtle and reflective of a man trying to find his inner courage and voice.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official Website

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Spanish Icelandic

Release Date:

25 December 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,765,508, 29 December 2013

Gross USA:

$58,236,838

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$188,133,322

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, TSG Entertainment, Samuel Goldwyn Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Surround 7.1 Datasat Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1