In The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which I recently enjoyed watching at Astorias Columbian Theater, Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) leads an ordinary life. A photo negative manager at LIFE magazine in New York City, Walter spends his days at his desk, his attention focused through magnifying glasses on spectacular images other people have taken.

He has a crush on his coworker, Cheryl Melhoff (Kristen Wigg), though hes never even spoken to her. At the start of the film, Walter works up the courage to send a virtual wink to Cheryl on eHarmony, an online dating site. But even that small action meets a barrier: Unable to perform request, his computer tells him. He seems unable to do even the smallest thing out of the ordinary.

But like any romantic, Walter wants more. Hes a daydreamer, often zoning out in the middle of a conversation, imagining bigger and better things: ways to meet Cheryl, ways to impress people, to be a hero.

The driving plot of the film revolves around LIFE transitioning from a print magazine to an online-only publication. (LIFE actually discontinued in 1972; but this premise set in 2013 feels real). For the last issue of LIFE, famous photojournalist Sean OConnell (Sean Penn) has mailed a collection of negatives to Walter, noting that number 25 is perfect for the cover. But the negative appears to be lost, and Walter must find it.

This involves traveling to Greenland, then Iceland. Jumping into a helicopter thats taking off and jumping out of a helicopter into the ocean. Evading a volcanic eruption. Hiking the Himalayas.

The motto of LIFE magazine is a recurring motif in the film: To see the world, things dangerous to come, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.

Walter hasnt adhered to this definition. We learn that Walter has had to put responsibilities before travel and pleasure. Hes had to rely on his imagination. But imagination cant stand in for real experiences.

Theres a moment in the film whee Sean is staked out with his camera on a mountainside waiting to catch sight of a shy snow leopard. Eventually, the big cat comes into view. When Walter asks Sean why he doesnt take a photo, Sean replies, If I like a moment I mean me, personally I dont like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it. Right here.

Thats what Walter must learn: There is joy to be found by being fully present in the moment. Breathe in deeply, and soak it in. In a world of constant computer, tablet and phone screens clamoring for our attention, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a nice reminder.