The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) is a story about a man (Walter Mitty, played by actor-director Ben Stiller) who shows steady faithfulness in often-thankless roles.
He’s the “negative assets manager” for Life magazine, which has just been acquired and is going through a merger. He has also provided for his mother and sister since the death of his father, when young Walter was 17.
Walter is thrust into adventure when a cover photo goes missing and he has to travel the world in pursuit of the rugged photographer that took the photo. Walter, prone to daydreaming and “zoning out”, finds that life itself is an adventure that negates the need to live an adventure solely in one’s mind.
Here are three reasons why this movie is my favorite:
Ghost Cats
In the movie, the term “ghost cat” is used by photographer Sean O’Connell to describe a Himalayan snow leopard that quietly stalks the mountain range, never letting itself be seen.
O’Connell also uses the phrase to describe Walter himself. He’s faithfully working behind the scenes, never taking the stage or spotlight but enduring nonetheless. This can be seen in Walter’s relationship with his family. After his father’s death, he took responsibility for providing for his mother and sister, who continue to rely on Walter financially as adults. Numerous scenes show Walter’s mom and sister depending on Walter as the practical keystone of the family.
This faithfulness is admirable. Humility and responsibility are a special combination. To do one’s work and not ask for admiration in return is a rare self-forgetfulness. We can all take encouragement from Walter’s example of a faithful servant who doesn’t demand attention but serves faithfully in the background.
Watching Walter’s “ghost cat” steadiness makes this movie wholesome and uplifting.
Real Adventures
Another theme of the film is waking up to one’s potential and audaciously stepping out to reach it.
When Walter’s colleague and romantic interest finds that the path to finding Sean leads to Greenland she encourages Walter to follow up the lead. At first reluctant, Walter ends up boarding a plane to Greenland, riding in a helicopter flown by a drunk pilot, fighting a shark, and finally landing on the shores of Iceland in a fishing vessel.
Walter’s adventures are driven by his imagination which inspires him to take the action he needs to. Over time though, his imaginative daydreaming lessens as it is replaced by the real adventures he experiences.
The first time he leaves home to track down Sean he is prompted by imagining a photo of Sean beckoning him. He boards a helicopter from Nuuk to the ship due to daydreaming about his colleague singing Space Oddity.
His second foray into the wide world however, is self-driven. He doesn’t rely on imagination to inspire him. He embraces the reality of what needs to be done and makes a conscious decision to do it.
Finding Confidence
Walter Mitty is a relatable character for many people. He faithfully plods along but lacks the confidence to break out and put his own mark on the world.
He struggles with feelings for a colleague that he doesn’t know how to express. Through his adventures he grows in confidence and self-assertion. It’s a good balance. He remains faithful, steady, and serving, but also grows in his ability to express himself and confidently communicate. He stands up for himself and his colleagues in the face of a disrespectful manager.
Confidence and pride are not the same thing. God calls us to be confident and humble. It’s a fine line to walk but that balance exists.
These themes run through The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and they are what make this movie so inspiring.