“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is a 2013 American adventure comedy-drama film directed by Ben Stiller and written by Steve Conrad, based on James Thurber’s 1939 short story of the same name. The film stars Stiller in the titular role, with a supporting cast that includes Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn, and Sean Penn.
In the film, Walter Mitty is a negative assets manager at Life magazine who is known for his daydreams, where he imagines himself as the hero of exciting adventures. When a crucial photo negative goes missing, it sets Mitty off on a real-life adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have imagined.
This film marks the second film adaptation of Thurber’s short story; the first was a 1947 film of the same name. The 2013 version is considerably different from Thurber’s story and the 1947 film, notably in its depiction of Mitty as a character who experiences real-life adventures rather than just daydreams.
The film received mixed reviews from critics but was generally appreciated for its uplifting message, stunning cinematography, and Ben Stiller’s performance. It was also a modest box office success.
Duration: 130 min.
