THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

See it at the movies

Posted 1/8/14

* * *

(Light comedy)

Ben Stiller plays a modern version of Walter Mitty, the James Thurber character in a short story by the same name. This Walter works as a photographic negative manager for …

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THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

See it at the movies

Posted

* * *

(Light comedy)

Ben Stiller plays a modern version of Walter Mitty, the James Thurber character in a short story by the same name. This Walter works as a photographic negative manager for Life Magazine, which is preparing its final printed issue before going digital.

Adam Scott plays the obnoxious executive in charge of the takeover, whose job it is to fire most of the staff. When Mitty can’t find the negative for the last front page, you know he is doomed.

Walter Mitty has led a very dull life, escaping into a fantasy world to survive. He is enamored with Cheryl, his co-worker (Kristen Wiig), but “zones out” when he has opportunities to connect with her. There are some funny scenes as he tries to update his profile on a computer dating service.

Life Magazine’s motto, “To see Life is to see the world,” is lived through the actions of his hero, the adventurous Life photographer (Sean Penn). Walter attempts to track him down to find the missing negative, a real-life adventure that takes him to Greenland, Iceland and the Himalayas. We loved this part of the movie, with its breathtaking scenery, but unfortunately the rest of the story is not as breathtaking.

Will Walter find the negative?

Will he win the affections of his co-worker?

What is real and what is Walter’s fantasy?

This warm and fuzzy little romantic comedy neatly wraps up and we leave the theatre a bit underwhelmed.

Rated PG with not much to offend anybody.

 

Still a chance to see movies you may have missed

With no new movies opening last weekend, now is the chance to see one of the top movies of 2013, still playing at the Showcase.

“American Hustle,” reviewed last week, is a long but fascinating look at the ABSCAM scandal, with great acting and loads of twists and turns.

“Frozen” is a delightful Disney cartoon feature that children of all ages will enjoy.

“The Hobbit” The Desolation of Smaug” will delight fans of the book. It is filled with wonderful adventures, interesting characters and great scenery.

“Philomena” stars Judi Dench as an elderly woman who was raised in an orphanage searching for her son, who was taken away from her years ago. Loaded with gentle humor and pathos.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is the second part of the trilogy based on a popular teen trilogy that adults will enjoy. It leaves you hanging and waiting for the final film.

For those willing to travel “all the way to East Providence,” the second-run theatre by the same name on Newport Ave. has “The Book Thief” and “Captain Phillips.”

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