Yesterday I went to see The Way, Way Back (it’s an excellent coming of age story and I never thought I could hate Steve Carell in anything) and one of the previews before the film was for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The trailer has been available online since last month but seeing it on the big screen as opposed to your phone or computer feels like a whole new experience. There are several striking things in this 2 minute snapshot of this movie – Adam Scott’s douchebag enhancing chinstrap beard being one of them – but it the minimal dialogue that stands out. It’s all about image and this is a film that uses photographs as an important narrative device.
Trailer music helps set the tone and “Dirty Paws” by Of Monsters and Men gives a feeling of sadness that builds into hope as we see Ben Stiller’s Walter Mitty embark on his daydreaming adventure. The song might not even make it into the movie as some of the best trailer music doesn’t – one example off the top of my head is “Wake Up” by Arcade Fire for Where the Wild Things Are – sometimes it’s meant to be a table setter for the soundtrack that is to come.
Watch the trailer and hear the song below. “Dirty Paws” features on “My Head is an Animal” by Of Monsters and Men.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 