Walter Mitty: More Than a Piece of Paper 

It's actually my life changing movie. It is the source that inspired me to abandon all the stuff behind and came to France for the Master study. Now I live in a completely different way, not chasing wealthy anymore but appreciate every moment with the people around me - friends, families, strangers as well.

My dad gave me a copy of this film right before I finished high school. It was a parting gift before he left our house, and he told me to watch it before I graduate. Despite of my initial anger and hurt, I watched it anyway and cried buckets. The musical score and cinematography was brilliant. I have never seen so much color. I assumed it was his explanation, that he wanted to live his life and go on to his own adventures. In his funeral two years later, one of his best friends talked to me. Said I was my father’s greatest adventure, and that he always worried and hoped the most for me. He left the film for me. I was his Walter Mitty. I’m 25 now, and I have my own apartment, a three-year-old daughter, and a career an entire world away from my college program. I’ve been to places and had experiences I only used to daydream about. I plan on living the rest of them out. From one free spirit to another, I’m telling you this is your very first life. Every mistake, sacrifice and grief led you here. No matter how excruciating and painful, you take this life into your hands and you must love it. Again and again and again.

My favorite scene in this movie is when Walter is staring at the photo of Sean on the wall, and Sean is beckoning Walter, that call to adventure is so strong that it's as if Walter has no choice but to move. I have been lucky to have such moments in my life. That same call is repeated several times in the movie and each time feels as compelling as the first.

Another thing that the people should notice about this movie is the weight of responsibility. As we all know Walter is living a life filled with responsibilities and duties. It seems like the man has no fun in his life but actually it is the weight of responsibilities that is holding him back from such crazy adventures to such a point that he starts to day dream in a way aren’t we all want to be such free spirits or vagabond in this world, but now I have grown up I have realised that life is all about balance there always will be happiness and sorrow but a proper balance in your life will help you be contempt and what you do and what you live .

So underrated movie its almost criminal. I have many fav parts but the one that comes to mind is when he is showing his "girlfriends" son some tricks on the skateboard. It shows that he was a different person before the world got a hold of him.

I have a soft spot for video essays or anything that is related to this movie. I remember I watched this film in middle school when it released, I enjoyed it, but I didn't really put much thought into it. But as I was barraged by high school English teachers with assignments correlated to this movie, I realized the beauty of this movie. Hands down, my favorite movie. I wish it got more love and that the critics saw the big picture, but I'm fine with it being an underrated gem. Really makes me move day to day, and to appreciate the small things but to pursue more, and to be more.

Well done. Movie critics have proven themselves no more perceptive than the passing trends in which they dawdel. Look at how many great films were panned on initial release that became perennial classics in time. Those who can perceive eternal style and hear the chord of the human condition in motion pictures can love this movie and gain inspiration from the message of this well executed film: the essence of life.

I watched this movie for the first time last night and I really enjoyed it. As a photographer it's completely changing the way I think about photography. The movie establishes a dichotomy between film and digital. Walter's coworker says in the beginning of the movie "Sean O'Connell still shoots on film and that results for me in a man crush" which is paid off when negative 25 goes missing. This can't really happen with digital. Film can be lost and damaged. Film isn't *just* an image, it's an object. Film is finite like life, and if the negative goes missing, it's gone forever, no back-ups, no recoveries, just like life. That idea changed how I viewed photography. Rather than a composition of elements, arranged to be visually appealing to a viewer, photographs can also be an attempt to capture, as Sean puts it, "The quintessence of life". The ultimate goal of photography can be more than just the utility of 'I went to the Himalayas, this is a nice sunrise over the peaks' and instead become 'I went to the Himalayas and this is what it meant to experience that moment'. The idea of photography as a transmission of experience instead of a transmission of sight is hugely transformative and I can't wait to put it into practice. PS. I also really enjoyed how the phrase "Quintessence of Life" has a double meaning. Sean meant, the photo contained the essence of Life Magazine, not of the essence of life itself. But Walter read the message as I did, that Sean's gift was issuing a call to experience life. I also really liked the ending when it's revealed that Sean was there all along. Walter didn't need to go on a globe trotting adventure to find what he needed, it was there all along. But he could never see it until he had hindsight. The message being 'You don't need to go on a grand adventure to experience authentic life, it's lived right now, where you are, that's life' but also acknowledges that it's really difficult to see that without the adventure.

As others have said, a life-changing movie. Since the first time (of dozens) that I watched this movie I've been to Iceland three times (once to photograph an erupting volcano) and completely changed my life. And every time I feel anxious I re-watch this amazing movie which tells me "If you have the courage to go out into the world, the world will be waiting to welcome you." Underrated and underappreciated, AND a great soundtrack.

This movie resonates with me more than any other and will always have a special place in my heart

I can see that if you cannot identify with Walter in this film, then you might not like it. This film resonated with me like few films have. It's one of my personal favorites. I am someone who is naturally afraid of taking risks. I'm often haunted by the thought of what my life would be like now if I hadn't been so afraid of taking chances when I was younger. I can't complain about what I have in life now, but I fear that when I grow old(er) I'll look back at all of the opportunities that I missed and think that I've "blown it."

The Essay is excellent. I love how Walter has really wonderful people around him especially Shirley, Kristen, Patton, and Sean Penn. all bring nuance to why Walter is not Everyman. He is beyond special. Like you and many others? This movie made me move beyond convention into excitement of what’s next!!!!!!

I'm so glad to see this video and then all the tons of comments about how this is also other people's life changing movie! I saw this in theaters my freshman year of college. When I got back to my dorm, I couldn't resist searching and searching to pirate it because I just had to take it in again. It may not be some high brow film, but it is my all time favorite movie ever in its ability to capture LIFE!

Man, this movie... this movie is one of the best things i have ever watched. I remember scroling through on demand movies in 2016 and saw its name. At first it caught my attention by its name, then i read Ben Stiller name and thought it would be a good comedy movie to laught a lil bit... I couldn't be more wrong. A life lesson was learned that day, and a life lesson is learned every single time I rewatch it. I like to read comments on videos about this movie, and on the movie soundstrack too. People telling their life changings history after watching the movie is beautiful, and im proud of all of them! Thank you for your video, keep on with the great job.

this movie came out a year after my divorce.......man i was one broken man....no really! I had just spent 7 years of my life working to support my partner in life in putting her though university.....i use to smile when i would say "i'm forgoing a vacation/a new car/ a new motor cycle to pay for Jenny's education......" then i broke a shin bone skydiving.....then divorced by text......abandoned and left with $7 to my name and a home that was well over 150k under valued......i was broken.....and i remember watching this movie and just crying like a baby.......feeling free after feeling crushed by life is a painful feeling. 10 years on i bought my dream car and motorcyle and i finally have my finances under control and i obtained my MBA, and my wingsuit and leaned how to scuba and long board and i kissed beautiful women in the rain and been up till sunrise dancing and man oh man......adulting.....isn't worth it......the sky the road and the oceans are infinite.....go get lost in them before you run out of time and the credits run on a dull grey life. to this day i rewatch this movie and i still cry.......i don't think boomers will understand this movie, and not Gen X'ers either.....Gen Y and Gen Z......this should be your holy book on life! LIVE PASSIONATELY!

The world is a book, don't just read a verse,or a chapter. Go for it All! Read all the books, sail all the seas, go as far and as wide as your destiny calls...

Great video! One of my favorite movies ever! Critics cannot handle a piece of art that is so uncynical.

This is my favorite film. What a joy to see it highlighted in such a positive light.

This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Rotten Tomatoes doesn't have a clue.

IDK why they criticize this movie it is one of the best movies I have ever seen

No one can justify the beauty of this movie. This beautiful story of walter mitty is Beyond the point of view of the life.

Beautiful movie. I cried for a few days. So emotional.

My favourite film ever. I watch it to bring me back into focus. Live life!

This is my Fav movie and this is my favourite youtube video about that movie. also José González's song is perfect.

one of my favourite videos on youtube

This film and video are perfect and beautiful

This was really well done, and I agree with it wholeheartedly. This movie is criminally underrated. Subscribed!

Excellent work! I've stated it elsewhere, but here again I will...this is such a beautifully meaningful film. Like a few other movies I've watched, it immediately clicked with me and was absolutely amazing masterpiece in many different ways. Stiller and crew all deserve some major kudos and a standing ovation for this film. Even the soundtrack is perfect.

I totally agree that The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is an amazing movie! There are so many things that I got from it... when I watched it for the first time a few weeks ago. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

As someone who is just starting out making video essays and RU-vid videos, the quality of the writing in this is so good that it's something I hope to be at eventually. This is so good dude keep it up :))

This is an amazing video man. One of my all time favourite movies, truly perfect and truly unappreciated.

It's interesting. This movie and We Bought a Zoo are my hands down favorite movies. I don't watch them often, i don't want to lose what they give me, whatever that is. Funnily enough, they both, at their heart, talk about the same thing: finding courage to act.

The first time I watched this movie was a life changing experience. I remember thinking it was a comedy because Ben stiller was in it and then being a little confused at the pace and serious tones. Then I was captivated by the helicopter with the Bowie song and the determination this guy was starting to show. Then breaking down in tears at the ending. Honestly the only happy tears a film has ever made me have. Brilliant movie

I love this movie; I wish I could watch it all over again for the very first time.

I so agree. I find this movie resurfacing in my mind every now and then. Any time I see the trailer come up I have to watch it again. And then, I'll watch the movie again. There is so much about it that I love. Thanks for your essay!

Omg I cry everytime I watch this movie and I’m crying while I’m watching this video😭💛

That's some fine editing and writing my man. A wonderful love letter to a movie that made the unremarkable and unseen realize that they are beautiful and wonderfully memorable; even if they don't see it yet.

This is my favourite movie and has changed my life as well.

Wonderful video, a good reminder we should all get out there and live our lives to the best that we can. Keep up the great work.

You are very insightful. I must agree with all the findings you discover from this film. Unfortunately my two grown children could not apprehend my recommendations to them. Your presentation style is also very convincing and trustworthy. Please do more, stronger, deeper. I am not sure if you have watched the channel, Coldfusion. You two are similar, truthful, confident, educated and a rare type of gentleman. Straight from my heart.

this movie has a similar mindset like "stranger than fiction" ... both great underrated movies ... and without doubt Will Ferells best movie performance ever

TSLOWM is my favorite and most watched film. I notice a new detail with every viewing. I think the movie appeals more to introverts and quiet adventurers. Walter’s job at Life magazine was actually super cool, but it was behind the scenes, making sure someone else’s work, someone else’s beauty is seen. As Sean O’Connell said, “Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.” Film critics are somewhat the antithesis of this. They create nothing of beauty, but seek attention by tearing down or building up others based on their whims and personal tastes.

Thanks for this, hearing your words are EXACTLY what I think whenever I watch this, my favorite movie of all time

One thing that angers me to this day is the critic perception of this movie. A lot of them say that it lacks substance, but I think the beauty of it is that it’s a toned back, realistic, ground level story about a complacent man stepping out of his comfort zone. I also absolutely love the metaphor of this expedition to track down Sean and find the missing negative only to find that he was ultimately searching for himself (or at least a picture of himself). It’s nice to see that the movie is gaining some recognition, even if it’s 10 years later aha.

This movie came to me coincidentally after I had paid off thousands of dollars in credit card debt and also paid off my car. There were probably two scenes that prompted me to travel. First, where Sean is beckoning him to come. Second, the scene where Walter is running towards the helicopter with David Bowie singing in the background. That song is major feels.

One of my favorite movies of all time and I loved the work by Jose Gonzales. One of the few artists when I hear just the start of his music...I already know it's him. His music is just that unique.

I love this movie for so many reasons!

Very nice man. Tx for this, you nailed it

have to admit. That scene when the cover is revealed....i kinda choked up a little...just a little 😉

What a beautiful video. This is one of my favorite movies ever

This was great to watch. A fitting summary of a fabulous movie. Thank you.

Best analysis of this movie. Thank you

This essay tore me asunder. Beautiful, deep, genuine, painful; and hopefully, somewhere in the goddamn near future, proves to have been devastatingly inspiring.

I really enjoyed this. Thank you for putting this out.

One of The Great Movies of all time IMHO. Love it.

You checked all the boxes (and more) in admiration of this movie. I, too, thoroughly enjoyed it. What a misunderstood, delightful movie it is to watch over and over and share with friends. Thank you!

Life has tamed down quite a bit since, but in 2016 I was able to go on my own soul searching adventure and it was a thrilling time. I grew up poor and unfortunately didn't travel much aside from an occasional road trip here and there, but in college I was able to get a scholarship that paid for a summer abroad experience. I picked New Zealand and found myself staring across a chilly lake (Lake Tekapo) alongside mountains thinking to myself, "I guess I'm a bit older now aren't I?" I had recently gone through a rough breakup experience and had just completed the hardest year I had faced so far in college (my junior year), so this trip was really the encapsulation of being alone in one's own mind and learning to live among strangers and try new things. I wish this for everyone, that each person will have at least one moment to go to distances dreamt of to lose oneself in the majesty of adventure. It was life changing and I am forever humbled by it.

wow, what a great film you've put together here. just wow. this film to me also is deeply profound. it moves me every time i watch it and i couldn't have summed it up better than what you have. i also frequently listen to the amazing soundtrack. i feel like this character or story is so similar to the narrators journey in fight club too

Thank you for reminding of this beautiful movie

Great video essay. I haven’t seen this movie but I’m definitely watching it now

I’m telling you dude, this video essay made me cry. And not just cuz this scene (10:42) always makes me cry, but also because of the scene you chose to use right after it and the way you explained it: 11:21. Amazing video essay, you should seriously be proud.

I LOVE this movie. I've seen it probably 6-10 times by now and it's a pleasure every time.

The brilliance of this movie is how it's messages are hidden amongst an extremely strong under current that you are pulled into without even realizing it. It is a story told in a way that convinces you to follow Walter instead of dragging you there in spite of him.

this video saved my life for my english essay. This gave me a better understanding of the movie. I got great marks. thank you>>>>

This movie is a big reason we went to Iceland in 2022. My favorite moment in the movie, what I see as pivotal, is when he's in the cab once he's back in the States, and there's a TV on and he starts fantasizing about being on a talk show, but then rejects it and exits the cab. He's not going back to living in a fantasy world.

Great video buddy :) I love this movie so much that I have watched it more than 50 times, and each time, with the same amount of excitement. And your video, watched in loop again and again for the 10th time or 12 time before writing this comment. This video coming up on search is the best thing happened to me. I will keep a downloaded copy of this video incase youtube decides to remove this. I won't watch that download as long as this video is there on your channel. Hope you don't mind.

you forgot to mention one very important part about the scene where Sheryl is singing in the bar. Before that she told him the song is really about courage and going into the unknown...just like walter did with the helicopter.

great content mate, keep it up.

this is great

Wonderful...

thank you for pointing this out i will go watch it

Amazing, love from Portugal

The only thing I could criticize about this film is that shares the same name as the 1939 short story and 1947 film adaptation yet has very little in common with them, otherwise. It borrowed themes from the plot of the original, but it's an entirely unique experience. It will always be one of my favourites.

Best movie ever. It gave me courage to jump on every adventure. This led me to live in Colombia for 5 months and I’ll move to China soon. Don’t put walls to your life

0:49 yeah

Classic movie. Those of us that made a career in publishing know.

Love this movie

This movie just make you jump into adventure, there is a times in my life that I said "fuck why not?" I jump on my mopped rided it to a beach on the break of dawn. It's crazy how movie can change your way of thinking.

I agree 1000 percent

I actually never questioned whether he really jumped on the helicopter. That all seemed real to me, except of course for Cheryl being there.

If you enjoy this movie, you already my friend.

Best movie

EEEEEE-RECTION! EEEEE-RUPTION!

I am at 8:34 and that is an interesting theory that he never left NY and it is all in his head. I will see what you say but I think he really took the trip. Also QJDWG did you read the screenplay or transcript for this film? It is hilarious and just as gorgeous if not more than the film. There are all these hidden jokes in the screenplay that didn’t make it to the film floor. I also think it is a really good film and that it would be amazing to be a negative assets operator and working with editing the photo’s film negatives to be ready for print! This is an awesome review and thank you for doing it and sharing it. Best, Sam Sutlive.

QJDWG I hope your review is not taken down.

🌻

Be careful

ABC :) Advenuturus Brave Creative :)

Rule no. 1 Critics from Rotten tomatoes are bias useless journelist who don't pay attention to directional depths of movies many times. Their scores majority times disappointed me because a mediocre comedy superhero circus movie is more important to them than an actually inspiring philosophical hero movie.