REVIEW: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
January 8th 2009 08:22
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
My name is Benjamin Button, and I was born under unusual circumstances. While, everyone else was agin', I was gettin' younger... all alone
Release Date: 26 December 2008
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas and Julia Ormond.
Runtime: 159 min
Looking better with age
In a Nutshell: Set in New Orleans from the end of World War I to the 21st century, the story follows the life of Benjamin Button, a man who ages in reverse experiencing the ups and downs of life in a very unique way.
David Fincher deals with the big issues – the value of life, the mechanics of sin, what drives our compulsions. Yet the way he throws them at us is something of a marvel. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fincher’s seventh film, is quite a change from his usual foray into the maniacal obsessions of society, which was so well brought to our attention through his past triumphs Fight Club, Seven and Zodiac. What we are presented with is a touching and profound statement on the timelessness of life itself.
Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, though hardly resembling it at all, the screenplay from Eric Roth often likens to his earlier feat Forrest Gump. In one scene Benjamin (Brad Pitt) gives a surprise visit to his childhood love Daisy (Cate Blanchett), only to not fit in with her prestigious dancing crowd (remember when Forest was rejected by Jenny and her friends?), but what makes Benjamin unique is his humble acceptance of such things. Benjamin is a quiet observer, but appreciative nonetheless. He takes the highs and lows in life and comes out a better person all for it.
This is what Pitt plays on so well and so becomes the foundation of the film. His restrained appearance and modest tone would make it hard for any actor to hold an audience for over two and a half hours. But Pitt intrigues from the start, creating a wonderfully drawn character who is surrounded with the process of death from an early age. Though this doesn’t stop his optimistic and humorous side coming out at all ends of which you can only admire and fall for. He sees war, meets women, makes and loses friends until the centerpiece of the film - his love interest Daisy - takes hold at just the right time. Blanchett excels in the part just as you would expect, though there is confusion on Benjamin’s motivations for her. All we are given is his word that “she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen”. But the real achievement goes to Taraji P. Henson who plays Benjamin’s mother, undoubtedly the heart of the film and shows her versatility in the most memorable scenes. A dark horse for an Oscar nomination but she deserves one nonetheless.
I’ve always believed the best make-up and CGI on film is usually hardly noticeable. So good that you forget there are effects at all, and completely get lost into what you're watching. This film couldn’t have been made as stunning years ago so it’s probably best it’s been thrown back and forth for many years. The stunning comparison between Pitt and Blanchett’s aging process is both beautiful and heartbreaking – for when they finally catch each up to each other we know it won’t last. And so life goes.
There are some problems. The film jumps repeatedly, and annoyingly, back to a present-day hospital room, where Daisy’s daughter (Julia Ormond) reads Benjamin's diary to her on her death bed as Hurricane Katrina approaches. Fincher creates a strong sense of regret between the characters just as one of the biggest natural disasters in U.S history approaches. Still this is only a minor quibble in an otherwise fantastic portrait of life. The clock winding backwards is a wonderful touch as well.
Youth is wasted on the young because then you don't realise what's most important in life. But even if you find what you're looking for nothing lasts forever.
Enjoy Fincher in his prime. Looking forward to the next one.
Worth It?
Not as good as Zodiac or Fight Club, but one of the years best and a statement that Fincher is one of the most talented and versatile filmmakers of our generation.
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Comment by Linh
Celluloid Fun
I really enjoyed 'Benjamin Button' and I like your review.
I also found Taraji P. Henson to be a stand out amongst the ensemble cast.
It didn't occur to me that the hurricane in the film was Hurricane Katrina.
Look forward to more of your film reviews.
Cheers!
Comment by Glamdring