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| Edited By: Tushar Joshi |Source: DNA |Updated: Dec 01, 2014, 10:55 AM IST
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Cast: Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, Kristen Wiig
Director: Ben Stiller
Rating: **1/2
What's it about
Ben Stiller in a movie directed by Ben Stiller. The sound of such an idea sounds extremely fresh and interesting. Unfortunately Stiller's directorial venture winds up as a confusing concoction of strange writing and even stranger characters. The storyline oscillates between reality and imagination as Mitty (Stiller) is in search for a photographer with his quest taking him to far off places.
What's hot
The camera work is superb. Stiller uses visual imagery to construct scenes that seem like montages out of a dream. Sean Penn is superb in his short act and proves yet again why he's one of the most sought after talents in Hollywood. The usually funny Kristen Wiig takes up a different kind of role in Mitty.
What's not
Stiller's concept is unique, but the treatment and execution lacks any novelty. The idea of breaking free, taking chances, living your dreams has been done numerous times before.
Mitty finds himself in his search for someone else. Sounds like you've heard this before? The second half of the film is excruciatingly slow with a lot of talking in metaphors and veiled messages that don't really seem worth decoding.
What to do
Visually brilliant, the film fails and turns out to be complex and heavy at times when all it needs to do is actually lighten up and have some fun!
