When you have a veteran in the industry who dons the hats of producer, director and main lead, it is truly a concept the person is passionate about. Ben Stiller brings us the titular Walter Mitty in a project which is memorably shot and convincingly acted.

I have always seen Ben Stiller in comic roles, and this movie carries a similar lightheartedness like his other works. He works as a negative assets manager. His job is to develop the filter rolls and neatly archive negatives the photographers submit for his company, the Life Magazine.

This is an interesting metaphor. An adventurous young kid in early ages, Walter had had to take up a job to support his family. Now he is stuck in the neglected corner of the office building, in an essentially negative space of all the adventure out there. He tries to fulfil his thirst for adventure by abundantly day-dreaming through the mundanities of life.

As the print magazine is acquired and is transitioning to an online-only version, Life magazine is now working on its last print issue. His longtime partner, a celebrated photographer Sean O'Connell, played by Sean Penn, conveys to the entire staff that he has captured a perfect photograph for the last issue which captures the 'quintessence of Life'. Unfortunately, the negative is missing.

Sean is a nomad photographer who is not easy to be found. Walter takes it upon himself to go in search of Sean and starts from his last known location, Greenland. This is where the negative asset manager jumps on the stage of adventure he has only daydreamed about.

Cinema is a visual medium. In the early parts of the film, Walter's daydreams come on screen in vivid detail. The editing of these transitions from real life to imaginary dreamscapes is cleverly handled. The cinematography turns an entirely new leaf when he embarks on the adventure. From Greenland, the landscapes and vistas are just breathtaking. This is a critically acclaimed film, not for the story or performances, but for the visual treatment. This must have been a feast in theatres, but I would suggest going for a darker room to simulate a poor man's theatre even when watching on laptop screens.

There is a love story angle with Kristen Wiig as Cheryl Melhoff, and a track about the magazine acquisition and a childishly caricaturish managing director of the 'Transition' to Life Online, played by Adam Scott. Both these tracks are average and not the selling features of the film. Adam Scott is fun though.

Overall, it is recommended for the visuals, the escape from a volcano, the turbulent North Sea, and the mesmerising skateboard run. Please turn the lights off!