Walter Mitty and the Process of Fundamental Change

The movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty says much about the process of bringing about fundamental change and transformation in our lives. This video essay explores and seeks to articulates these principles as we watch Malter Mitty change into who he wants to be.
Ampelis is an organization which seeks to help individuals and families cultivate meaning in their lives. You can learn more at ampelis.org.
This video was made by Gary Nuila, who in addition to working with Ampelis, also makes videos on movies, philosophia and regenerative ranching/farmsteading on the channel MissionTop which you can find at:
/ garynuila
Soundstripe music codes:
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[@colesunwood1656]

I dont get why this film has such average ratings, this movie is one of those that sticks with me, changed my life

[@chamoo232]

I think some people may have just hung up a bit too much on the overly absurd dreaming that Walter does. The Benjamin Button one and the one where he fight beard guy over Stretch Armstrong are just a little too much. If you can get past that and really get into Walter's journey it's an amazing movie. For me it was the music that got my attention to this movie. Some of the soundtrack popped up on my youtube recommendation and that lead me to the movie's trailer and I just had to see it.

[@johndurrant9262]

For me there are layers of easily relatable significance - it seems to capture so many elements of the task of being human. A lovely movie. I only saw it for the first time last year, and then watched it again the following night - I don't think I've ever done that with another movie.

[@rowanschindler354]

Agree. This movie has probably made one of the biggest impacts on me. It’s incredible in its simplicity.

[@burlong01]

People really freaked out over the papa John's product placement and everything else went over their heads.

[@PC-ro1kf]

Maybe it was because this movie was completely right about it thoughts, beautiful things don't ask for attention

[@Sleeepehead]

I can’t even express how much I love this movie, its legitimately one my favorite movies ever made. I try to introduce it to people at every chance I get

[@kevincoyle8438]

Same here, it was life-changing for me.

[@Sleeepehead]

@@kevincoyle8438 late reply. But this movie quite literally saved my life. I was in a dark place when I first watched it, and it gave me a new perspective. I will always be thankful for that

[@anthonyperlada9836]

@@Sleeepehead right on!

[@BohemianJessi]

@@Sleeepehead SAME!!! Well, not so much the movie at first, but I loved it when I first saw it back in like 2016. 2 years ago I watched a KZbin video discussing how Walter Mitty suffers from "maladaptive daydreaming". I had the same issues. That very awareness caused me to sink even deeper to the very bottom of the darkest part of my life. Now, I use the movie as my inspiration to live my best life! I even have a print of the photo of Sean O'Connell photo that was at Walter's desk at my desk. I want to hear your story! Could you please tell me here or even privately how it changed your life? No pressure, I am genuiney interested in your story! I wish you all the best!

[@anthonysmall5090]

Same here I've had this movie about 5 years before watching it, have watched it more than a dozen times since.

[@fraserwhyte7109]

Rearrange the words of the title and you get: The Secret of Life, Walter Mitty. When Sean tells Walter to look inside for his quintessence, he's talking about negative 25 in the wallet. Yet that wallet - a symbol of identity - also has the Life Motto on it and Walter's really discovering the fifth element by exploring the other four elements -Air, Water, Fire and Earth -in search of Sean's lost negative. But on that peak in ungoverned Afghanistan, Walter gets his true enlightenment: Stay in it. Thanks for the video. This film doesn't get the credit it deserves but then again, beautiful things don't ask for attention.

[@tangerinesarebetterthanora7060]

Did you come to this conclusion yourself? Mind-blowing. Good job.

[@pokerboy72]

This is one of my fav movie.. but what u said gave a whole another perspective.. gonna watch it again

[@fraserwhyte8134]

Tangerines are better than Oranges (like that name despite its dubious claim 😉), I don't know how many times I've seen this movie but I love analysing it and continue to discover new things about it. A movie that you can return to and find new deeper meanings are the types of movies I enjoy watching. Indeed, the movies that inspire us all have one thing in common: their protagonists go through fundamental change. Transformation is at the heart of story. There are characters who inadvertently align with the goal of the protagonist and there are others who stand in direct opposition to it. This is a fact of life: some people help us to grow and others hold us back. As this video alludes to, the decisions we make, even at a basic level, help to shape the people we become. Compare the grey, beige and metallic blue of Walter's world with its linear lines and his lethargy within these restrictive settings with the Marvel-like colour and dynamism of his daydream world and the vast natural landscapes that occur later in the film. In the beginning, Walter is almost like an extra rather than a hero. Out of sight or focus and hidden away in the background. Timid and withdrawn. All of this stems back to his emotional wound that he had to sacrifice his life in order to financially look after his family. What is the very first thing that we see? Walter is doing his accounts, and much like the metaphor of the piano, this weighs down on him. He feels that there is nothing noteworthy about his life because he didn't become the person he thought he'd become. His backpack and travel diary are metaphors of abandoned dreams. He mistakenly believes that he has turned into someone he doesn't admire and to compensate, he retreats into his daydream world where he acts out his fantasy of who he could've become. What Walter fails to realise initially is that our quintessence never leaves us, regardless of where we end up. Look at the poetry falcon daydream in Act One and see how Walter is depicted in his subconscious and see how Walter transforms into essentially that exact same person when he comes back from ungoverned Afghanistan. Every time he visits the daydream world , he denies the person he truly is. The song that launches him into the Second Act (full of blue and red symbolism similar to the Matrix and note how this extends to his wardrobe choices) is Wake Up but this is a gradual transformation of existential awakening. The final image in the Life office before he takes off to Greenland (literally a place of new beginning like the season of spring) is an allusion to Major Tom. Remember the song in the elevator (Mind Over Matter) and how Cheryl describes the meaning of Major Tom. Walter is afraid of letting people see the real him (he is a Negative Asset manager) and notice how his workplace is located in the lower floors in darkness or obscurity if you like. Look at the photo of ungoverned Afghanistan and the peak is bathed in light. In a way, Walter shines a light on his soul when Sean gives him that epiphany: be the person you've always been. Allow people to see you for who you truly are. Compare that to when Walter shows his skateboard tricks to Cheryl's son and she has her back to him. When he does finally fulfil his desire to make contact with her, conversation is awkward at best. That's because he truly believes he has nothing noteworthy to offer up. Part of Life's motto is to draw closer and Cheryl states to Walter when he's standing outside Papa John's in Iceland that she was hoping they'd connect. Walter can't do that if he keeps retreating into his daydream world and avoiding the moment and his true self. So I have certainly learned things from reading and listening to other people's comments but, as you can tell from me rambling on, this movie is one of my favourites and it has had a profound impact on my life because it has a lot of deep insights that really get to the core of living. Don't be the person you'd like yourself to be or what you imagine other people would like you to be. Just be yourself and let your quintessence shine through. 😁

[@jdrancho1864]

You know, that just might have been not just a better title, but the best title for the movie. I looked at it as a modern remake of the Danny Kaye movie, and I guess it was in that it used the same dramatic structure. But watching this essay, it seems to me that it is more than just a character overcoming his shyness, standing up to the challenges of the world, and getting the girl in the end. As much as I enjoyed the Danny Kaye original, it was for that reason, of having seen this movie before, that I didn't feel compelled to find the time to see it when it came out.

[@gsathishbabu]

That's well said my friend. Especially those last lines ❤

[@iltaak]

I like that you pointed out that it was Walter's attempt to send a 'wink' that started the adventure, not the later issue of the missing negative. You then pointed out that people would say "Of course those moments happen, because its a movie" and then say that we could pay attention to those moments in our own lives as well. Well, I have a perfect example of the single click of a button that changed my life. in 2012, I was a twice community college dropout (2 separate ones as well), I was bouncing from job to job on a monthly basis and I was getting over my first big relationship with a woman. She cheated on me, I kept trying to make it work, etc... I don't remember exactly when or why, or what exactly I was looking at online at the time, but I saw an advertisement on a website, one of those banner ads along the sides as you scroll down the page. It was an ad for English First. A large international English as a Second Language school. Something about the idea of traveling to teach my native language (alongside my own linguistic interests) in a foreign country struck a chord in my head. So I clicked on the ad, was redirected to the English First website, read all the information about it, which countries I could travel to and what I needed to get started. By November 2014, I was at the airport about to get on my first plane ever (I had never flown before) to teach English as a second language (I had no teaching experience) and potentially live for a year in China (i had never been out of the US) on my own. I was on the tip of the tiniest twig of a branch from the tree of my life experience all because a banner ad on some website caught my attention. I ended up living in Dongguan, China for 7 years until 2021 (yes, even through covid quarantines and lockdowns) and coming back home to teach in my hometown. I don't remember that first girl's name, nor do I remember which jobs I worked in 2014, I just remember the banner ad. So naturally Walter Mitty is one of my favorite movies of all time, because it accurately captures that feeling of the easily missed opportunity taken and the adventure it sends you on. Now I found your channel because you chose this movie to talk about. Best movie for such an often ignored life experience.

[@Olderaccount17]

What I got from this comment is that those language courses will hire literally anyone regardless of how prepared they are to take on the job, lol. Just kidding, it's a great story and it sounds like a great experience. It even entices me to look into it, as my native language is Spanish (I'm Argentinean) but I've spoken perfect English since I was a teen and have been working as an English↔Spanish translator for a little over 10 years. Similarly to you, I started working with no experience as a translator nor a degree in translation because I saw a side banner on Facebook about a company looking for Spanish-Portuguese translators, and figured there would also be websites looking for English-Spanish translators. I did a quick Google search and passed the first test right then and there. That little moment online also defined the next 10 years of my life.

[@David.S.]

Great story!

[@Shelly-cp7gj]

Wonderful! Congrats!

[@-jellyfish]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@AubreyNhyaMoon]

What a great story!

[@javierdominguez7570]

Since I saw this movie I have travel 30 countries, I have met many people and experiences things that I never thought of. It opened my eyes and my mind. I went out!

[@ronzombie6541]

Keep going!

[@parichayvats1605]

great

[@qownson4410]

This movie made me cry. The most important thing he sought ended up being himself, and the person he wished to be, he became. It was beautiful, and affected me on a personal level.

[@ilovebutterstuff]

It wasn't a bad movie. Always liked Ben. Just... Rose colored lenses. I'm guessing you still believe in people. Wish I could say the same. Been through the wringer and what not. Not saying I'm blameless, it is my life after all, but this one gave me a bad taste of naivety, all said and done.

[@qownson4410]

@@ilovebutterstuff Watched it recently, and it was beautiful. It was the last movie of an Era, with the 90s and 00s over, feel good movies are done... Punch Drunk Love is another favorite of mine. This movie isn't well liked by many, but it was made for few.

[@ilovebutterstuff]

@@qownson4410 --- Punch Drunk Love? With Adam Sandler? Thought it was okay, as I can attest Adam is an honest to God good person, just liked Billy Madison a lot more.

[@ilovebutterstuff]

@@qownson4410 --- BTW, I really think The Heartbreak Kid and Tropic Thunder is some of his best work. I've been known to burst out Tourettes style in the middle of Walmart, P-P-P-PLEASE D-D-DON'T H-H-H-HURT MEEEE! 🤣🤣🤣

[@theeclectic2919]

@@qownson4410 The one movie that made a huge impact in my life was "Joe vs. The Volcano" with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. I was in a dark place and I could easily identify with the main character.

[@lauriannelzr]

This movie helped in such a peculiar way. I watched it 5 years ago while I was in a good state in life. A week ago, I found myself in a really dark place, and suddenly bumped into the soundtrack of this movie. I cried, and somehow I felt understood. I'm slowly recovering now and all I can think about is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, it helps me see life in a whole new different perspective. I couldn't be more grateful for this movie honestly

[@windler763]

this, and swiss army man, changed my life. these are the beautiful films that gave momentum to my days, and i'm now preparing to begin a film and media diploma to enter university with. i'm 25 years old, never been to uni. if you’re looking for some sort of sign, look to nature and look to those who understand it's power

[@cim888]

Quite frankly was never a big fan of Ben Stiller, mostly a genre thing. But this mover is nothing short of a masterpiece and I will never see him the same way as I did

[@aldoblack5982]

Wait until you see Severance. He is the creator of that show.

[@MTreatVO]

If I ever have the chance to meet Ben Stiller, I will shake his hand and thank him for his performance in this movie. I watch it at least once a year and it changed my life the first time I saw it.

[@kiljaeden5405]

Every introvert relates to this

[@cloudykumorii]

Even though the movie is nothing like the text of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, it really does stick with me. I watched this in class for an essay in English, the ending most literally almost made me cry, and sad movies don't often make me cry. It is really just a beautiful film and it really inspires me.

[@laradiniz7990]

This movie changed my life!!! I cried a lot because I saw my life in his life.

[@thediver123]

I totally under stand the character of Walter Mitty. I grew up in a town in Idaho with big dreams, and I’ve always was made fun of being a daydreamer. Later in life, I moved out and a number things that happened to me that made me want even more. Then I started to travel the world to places that were off the grid, got the scuba diver sharks. Photography help me record my adventures. During my time traveling, I really begin to find out who I really was and I became better for it as a result.

[@mayamaya4094]

I always tear up everytime I watch this movie, short clips or even videos like this... this movie is everything! 💙

[@donjon5458]

This movie will forever be my all time favorite. 💯 Always gives me goosebumps and tears me up bigtime.

[@tworedtornados]

I'm just... I'm just so emotional. I'm crying. Thank you for this

[@anthonysmall5090]

I feel you

[@anthonysmall5090]

Sometimes a certain movie will do that .

[@capt.biscuits5360]

Never seen this movie up until now after watching your video… I needed this, especially now. Thank you so much for this and introducing me to this movie.

[@myvids24]

I love the movie. But honestly I have rarely seen someone break down the symbolism of this movie (or any movie) like this. To translate the abstract message of a movie into our daily lives; make it concrete and relatable. The movie inspired, but your video may have inspired even more. Thanks for this, brilliant video.

[@abraaodimatheus2540]

One of the most important films i've ever watched, and equally inportant is this video, thank you so much

[@nineofive.2573]

Honestly that final scene is everything to this film what an awesome journey in cinema, I’m glad this film Wasent left on the shelf to rot and we all see what it is 10/10.

[@LevicMix]

This video does SO MUCH JUSTICE to the absolute beauty that comes from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. ugh. My most favorite film of all time. And will likely remain that way.

[@PRL2204]

This movie wasn't just entertainment for me. I don't even know what moved me to watch it but I'll never forget it. It came at a time in my life when everything was stale and I was living so closely in my comfort zone. This movie somehow moved me to get out there and experience new things and places. Go out on drives and see the world. It is so true that sometimes taking a baby step outside your comfort zone can change your life. I'm 31 years old and for whatever weird reason, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a motorcycle last year. It was never really a passion of mine but I decided why not, you only live once, I need something to supplement my primary vehicle. I'll never forget the feelings of dread while learning the basics of riding. But I already bought the bike, no turning back now. I was able to get through this feeling of dread and now it's one of my greatest passions in life. It is such a healing experience for me to be able to ride. And the funny thing is, everybody says they never would have seen it coming with me and I'm the last kind of person they would have thought to start riding. And I agree with that, but I absolutely love riding and taking care of my motorcycle. Such a wonderful newfound passion.

[@greg61377]

This way of thinking took me ffrom being a disabled Nurse to getting back to work, i still have the pain but i dont let it stop me, from the joy of life.

[@jonahavila1617]

Great movie and great review!

[@ampelislife2933]

Thanks, Jonah! Was there a particular principle in the review that you found most relevant?

[@ApPillon]

This movie came to me in a very bad time in my life. And it saved me. I'll forever be grateful for it.

[@tiredcappa]

Awesome video dude! The Secret Life is Walter Mitty is one of my favourite films of all time and I think you did an awesome job reviewing it :D

[@andrewternet8370]

This movie helped me realize the fundamental nature of beauty.

[@yukimaruzam]

We are not isolated beings 8:05 So true. Your message about us and what we do and what we can do is so well exemplified through this fantastic movie. I am glad I watched this.

[@tworedtornados]

Just found this video. It means so much to me. You nailed it. Sending to everyone i know.

[@meganrumpelt6713]

This movie convinced me Ben Stiller was hot way more than Zoolander ever did

[@NeilBaker722]

The 1939 short story by James Thurber, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," is great also.

[@kevinlennox7539]

And the children’s book, The Secret Life of Walter Kitty

[@justonky]

Process Philosophy explained well and without being obtuse. Well done. You have earned a subscriber.

[@aphexcody]

This is an inescapable movie for me. It is… almost perfect.

[@eaf888]

thank you. beautiful

[@Geekzmo]

Amazing perspectives in your video. This is a VERY underrated movie. I love the atmosphere, the phasing, the script and the photography... when they say "movies can take you places", this is one of those.

[@Niran333]

Thank you.

[@samdespuig2677]

love this movie so much

[@ipranay]

It is indeed the best movie of all time! I keep watching this every time I find myself in a rut.

[@ErrybodyGetTypsy]

A great video essay! Thank you for making this.

[@morandi78]

I loved this, thank you!

[@sneakeryuzh]

This is an amazing narrative and story. Great job.

[@shemmac4700]

I watched this movie at the cinema, the scenery, the music the basic idea of just go and make something happen blew me away

[@AzulLavoe]

Dang man… really needed this 🥺

[@DerOerdl]

Very inspirational video! Thank you for the motivating and eloquent words!

[@modsbeck]

A masterpiece, what a beautiful movie

[@Skatepakistan]

Brilliant video , keep putting out this good content!

[@corniel657]

How the hell is this channel only has 100 subs, Bro you deserve millions

[@aliskangajann]

This movie changed my life for the better.Thank you Ben Stiller.

[@optimaliron3718]

Make it easy for yourself to start small positive changes to affect larger more life changing events or experiences. The jogger example makes it easier for him to start jogging an unpleasant experience not by incentivising it with a cookie at the end but by reducing the amount of willpower required to start the action. The growing trend of looksmaxxing and NPC's and redpilling yourself to wake up from society also sometimes has an adverse effect of leading people to develop a superiority or inferiority complex. Thanks to knowledge about this stuff, these people can feel isolated or apart from the people they interact with in their day to day life. We aren't seperate from other people and we must strive to keep connections and groups alive and thriving. We are life experiencing itself. This video was beautiful, you held my attention very well and I'm off to watch The Secret Life of Walter Mitty rn.

[@marybethwelchcollins6673]

This is a great video!

[@Theblackout292]

This is one of my top 10 movies ever. It’s beautiful.

[@CharliePrice.]

favorite movie ever

[@yadukrishnakb]

This movie strikes my mind. Also nice work behind the video

[@mobeenbadshah5586]

This is such a beautiful video. Thank you for this❤

[@rometherevenant8749]

Loved this movie.

[@davidtrimm3823]

Wonderful movie!!!!!

[@1_step_up]

Very thoughtful video, beautiful!

[@obitookenobi4604]

“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life.” This movie changed my life.

[@natewillard]

This was really well done. Thank you for making this video!

[@shaggyterrell8460]

Love that movie. Another one like this that is really great is Hectors search for Happiness.

[@tristanbond8083]

What a banger of a video!

[@grinch528]

I'm doing an English essay on this movie an your video has not only recapped the movie but also gave some really good inspiration. thank you very much. PS not plagiarizing

[@adjd1576]

I love this movie. I saw it because I heard it had a scene with downhill longboarding, which I do pretty avidly. It is so good for so much more than that though

[@victornl32]

Thanks!

[@ZoMichael-a]

I absolutely loved the movie. Yeah I don't have any outstanding scene or moment to0 narrate but just the places of Iceland, Greenland, Himalayas really amazed my eyes.

[@seansullivan9270]

This is an incredible movie. The second time you watch it really puts the hook in. Stiller’s best work.

[@zacharyterry8606]

I keep forgetting that its a process change ive been down lately and major tom popped into my head this morning then i remembered this movie and and how i live in my head wishing i could get out and live

[@qatuqatsi8503]

That was a really beautiful video, I hope your channel gets more attention in the future

[@mas3974]

Great word buddy

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

One of the best uses of a McGuffin ever.

[@dbrooke3629]

I think the story elevates the McGuffin because in the end it plays a final part of Walter's story, the reward he didn't know he wanted: not being taken for granted and not being ignored.

[@vanhouten64]

a what?

[@lotus65]

Excellent work, thank you. I love this film! Interesting to me was a scene where something that would likely have changed how many would feel about someone (throwing away a gif), indeed did not appear to change the relationship between Walter and Sean. From that moment I changed how I considered what people do, and to be more accepting of others actions. Kinda funny how that worked. I think a lot of people could carry on about the philosophy of this film; I know I could.

[@ChrisUK70]

Great video, I love the movie.

[@loganbanner322]

Great video, awesome movie

[@buddyrye9190]

I’ve been a consistent runner for over 10 years. While running can be evidence of discipline, you’ll eventually still be left feeling void if you don’t detox from dopamine. We live in a dopamine addicted world.

[@brauliotonaco9960]

Bro, where were you? Beautiful video and miraculously written! ❤

[@harrisonlindsay615]

I just booked a one way ticket to australia a month ago. My adventure is just beginning! ❤

[@jhodynascimento5581]

Best film I've ever seen ❤

[@Izabela.Antunes]

Amazing video

[@charliefisher2205]

great video bro.

[@Kriosaivak]

Great video :)

[@Nnnyssusujwjw]

You changed the world. We changed the world

[@clerk-555]

Well done

[@DERTHIX]

"Run for fun?! What the hell kinda fun is that"

[@healthiswealth7324]

Good job man

[@fulloffool5925]

I like all of his movies but this movie I love

[@trapdeath99]

one day, with luck i found the movie and it really changed parts of me

[@santiagosuarez3584]

Underrated movie

[@R3TR0J4N]

what a visionaire

[@fadingink9287]

Really interesting perspective. 10/10!

[@Advoc8te4Truth]

When one considers how many bang average movies get critics raving on rotten tomatoes 🍅 or fans blowing up social media, the negativity surrounding this movie is confounding? I think ultimately, it's nothing to do with the movie, it's more to do with the viewer. If you have the ability to think and to see beyond surface nuance you will love this movie. If your incapable of seeing beyond your cellphone or Netflix you'll undoubtedly hate this movie. ❤😂

[@fifamobile-xx2ef]

movie intro always put me 2014 Jan everytime

[@Shawnmiller1903]

this movies just felt... different, but great...

[@dwnforcemedia]

I live my life based off of the Ghost cat scene. Taking that moment to just bring it all in and absorb the experience, then take the shot. Breathe, absorb, "click".

[@amin_shin6140]

ur great

[@Thorax2552]

As someone who zones out all the time with vivid imagination, this movie resonated with me

[@sayanghosh2204]

It's a story about a quiet Desperation that found a voice...

[@ARdave311]

Man if you would please do one on “Jeff who lives at home” it’s just as equaly of an important movie 🙏❤️

[@mochi4u1]

This movie is so underrated. This movie helped me get the through school and inspired me to keep improving on myself.

[@carolinasaunders6836]

The only time I went to the theater twice to watch a movie was after watching Secret Life of Walter Mitty! I returned the NEXT DAY and insisted my husband and son go with me.