When you see as many movies as I do, you begin to notice recurring themes in certain films, and one I’ve noticed in the movies that have been released in the holiday season of 2013 is the use of fantasy. American Hustle centers on how we hustle and survive in order to achieve our idyllic vision of a fantastical life, while Saving Mr. Banks shows how fantasy can relate to our innermost feelings. Such a motif is put to great use in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, a superb movie that unveils just how talented Ben Stiller has become as both an actor and (even more so) as a director.

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a shy everyman who works at Life magazine in the publications last few weeks before it transfers entirely over to the internet (an online news publication? Hmmm, where have I heard that idea?). In charge of all the photos that go into the magazine, he learns that the image for the cover of the final print issue of Life Magazine is missing. Stepping outside of his daydreams and comfort zone, Walter Mitty goes on a dazzling adventure that spans the globe and the human spirit.

In the past decade, Ben Stiller has been as bipolar of a celebrity as one can find, with his schtick of being a befuddled straight-man being the role he was known for, when in fact Stiller is at his best when he’s actually the catalyst behind a film’s humor and plot. While in many movies he’s relegated to that straight-man personality, whenever he’s directing (such as in the vastly underrated movies Zoolander and Tropic Thunder) he’s allowed to break free and play unique personalities, and Walter Mitty proves just how good he is at playing unique and unexpected characters.  Honestly, I think the film has a subtle meta-meaning that many may miss; it’s a subtle commentary on the two different roles Stiller has played in his career.

Within this sharply written script, Mitty’s character arc in the film is that he starts out as a normal fellow, practically the epitome of that aforementioned Stiller personality that turned up in cinematic duds like The Watch and Tower Heist. Yet, through his many adventures, he transitions into the more vibrant protagonist that Stiller is at his best portraying. It’s actually a pretty great character arc, regardless of any potential real-life significance, and one that is given extra effectiveness due to Stiller’s exemplary directing ability. I mean, good Lord, since when did Derek Zoolander become almost a quasi-Terrence Malick? Yet, unlike modern day Malick, Stiller seems to be able to deftly balance the artistry with some good acting especially from Kristen Wiig who provides some warm encouragement for Mitty throughout the film.

Frankly, despite the films many positive attributes, I doubt this film will be to everyone’s liking, thanks to it’s off the wall visual approach. Yet, I found much to love about The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, a movie that I can’t get out of my head thanks to Stiller’s fantastic directing and acting in the movie. Really, this is a film unlike any other I’ve seen in a while and I doubt many film’s in 2014 can match this one in scope and emotional poignancy.  I’m not sure if being this unique is a positive or a negative to any prospective readers of this review, but for me, it’s enough to declare The Secret Life of Walter Mitty a sensational triumph.