The Secret Life of Walter Mitty 2013

Walter Mitty works as a negative assets manager at Life magazine, where he often escapes from the monotony of his mundane job through vivid daydreams of adventure. He harbors a crush on a co-worker named Cheryl, but struggles to muster the courage to express his feelings. Amidst this, he collaborates with renowned photojournalist Sean O’Connell, who values Mitty’s contributions and gives him a wallet as a token of appreciation when he sends his latest negatives. O’Connell believes that negative #25 embodies the very essence of Life and deserves to grace the cover of the magazine’s final print edition, which is transitioning to an online format.

However, disaster strikes when Mitty discovers that negative #25 is missing, forcing him to stall the corporate transition manager, Ted Hendricks, who is overseeing the downsizing process. While examining the remaining negatives, Cheryl encourages Mitty to view them as puzzles that can lead to O’Connell’s whereabouts. They analyze several images, including one featuring a thumb adorned with a unique ring and another showcasing a curved piece of wood. A third photo, depicting a boat, leads Mitty to deduce that O’Connell is currently in Greenland. Fueled by determination, he hops on a flight to track him down.

Upon reaching Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, Mitty learns from a local bartender that O’Connell has departed on a ship. To reach him, Mitty must take a postal helicopter that services various coastal towns, despite the pilot being intoxicated. Recognizing the pilot’s thumb with the distinctive ring he noted earlier, Mitty initially hesitates but is inspired by an imagined performance of “Space Oddity” to board the helicopter. As they approach the ship, the helicopter pilot mistakenly interprets instructions, and instead of leaping onto a small boat, Mitty misses his mark and plunges into the frigid ocean. He’s subsequently rescued but learns that O’Connell has already left.

The crew offers him a clementine cake that O’Connell had left behind, and as Mitty examines the wrapping, he discovers hints about O’Connell’s next destination: Iceland. Armed with this knowledge, he reaches the village of Skógar near the famous volcano Eyjafjallajökull, only to spot O’Connell in a plane flying over the site. A volcanic eruption ensues, prompting Mitty to hurry back, and unfortunately, he finds himself recalled to New York due to his failure to retrieve the negative—a significant disappointment that leads to his firing by Hendricks.

Returning home defeated, he learns that Cheryl has reconciled with her husband. Feeling despondent, he visits his mother and, while reflecting on a photo he received, he has a profound realization when he recalls a conversation with her where she mentioned already meeting O’Connell. This revelation leads him to understand that O’Connell is now located in the Himalayas, photographing a rare snow leopard.

Upon finding O’Connell, Mitty discovers that the true clue about the missing negative was within the wallet all along. Unfortunately, he had misinterpreted it as a directive to inspect the tissue paper, forgetting to check the inscription inside the wallet. When he inquires about the negative, O’Connell sidesteps the question, engaging in a playful match of football with some locals instead.

Faced with additional challenges in Los Angeles, including a misunderstanding with airport security, Mitty manages to reach out to Todd Maher, an old contact from eHarmony. As he assists his mother in selling her piano, he recounts his wild experiences but admits he’s lost the wallet. Fortunately, his mother retrieves it from the trash, and inside, he discovers an envelope that surprisingly contains the sought-after photograph—negative #25.

Empowered, Walter brings the image to Life’s office, asserting its importance for the final edition, while standing up to Hendricks for his disrespect towards the staff who tirelessly supported the magazine. This moment of bravery leads to a heartfelt reunion with Cheryl, where he openly discusses his journey and confesses his feelings for her. He learns of the truth behind her ex-husband’s visit, ultimately realizing his adventures had changed him profoundly.

As they stroll together, Mitty and Cheryl come across the final issue of Life at a newsstand. It beautifully celebrates the staff and features a captivating photograph from negative #25—exemplifying Mitty’s transformative journey as he sits outside the Life building, reflecting on his extraordinary experiences. Hand in hand, the two continue on their way, a symbol of newfound courage and connection.