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Screenplay giant, Eric Roth, who gave us Forrest Gump finished this film with a peaceful message about life when he put to film, his greatest moments by saying: "Some people were born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning..... Some have an ear for music....... Some are artists................. Some Swim........................ Some know buttons................ Some know Shakespeare............ Some Are Mothers................. .....and some people Dance......." Thanks Eric Roth.... It was a most unusually rare experience to find humanity once again. Most usually, I tend to watch a movie from start to finish, this film was a bit slow paced in the first parts but soon began to pick up closer to the middle part of the film. A common tag-line for this film is that "..Life isn't measured in minutes but in moments" and "I was born under unusual circumstances". While the film was still being shot, the computer software graphics that helped Benjamin Buttons transform throughout the film was still being designed. The CGI technology changes daily. Brad Pitt's character seemed so real that it was scary. The elemental irony of this film typically would make anyone wonder how it is like to live in someone else's shoes, especially from the standpoint of the elderly. Myself, being past the point of young and entering into middle age, one senses a deep sense of a powerful hand directing life at every turn. The word destiny or fate always seems to make me wonder about certain monumental defining moments in my life. If those things in life that I forced myself to do and be may have been a lot more exact if I hadn't let my emotions get the best of me. However, not a one of us could say that we know for "one cotton-picking minute" what's going to happen to us all next. That's the wonderment of this film. It usually is best taught to us if we only just experience the story and let our stubbornness and self out of the picture and just live. The characters of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett were very believable and in love, which is tremendously powerful on film. I'll give this film a 4/5 even though I'm not sure I'll ever be able to sit through it again. IF YOU LIKE MY MOVIE REVIEWS PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW BY VOTING. THANKS.Read full review
Before seeing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button I wondered how I would react to the story of a man who is born old and gets younger as he grows up. Of all of the stories I have come across, this is by far the most bizarre and intriguing. If i had to pick someone to bring this story to the screen I do no think David Fincher would have been my first choice. How wrong I would have been. This film is by far one of the best if not the best of 2008. Fincher's direction is flawless! The film from start to finish does not let up. There are moments of joy and ecstasy followed by sorrow and understanding. Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin, a boy born an old man who must live his life in reverse. His friend from childhood, Daisy, is played by Cate Blanchett. The story is narrated from Benjamin's point of view with some particular highlights from Daisy. The cast does nothing wrong. Pitt leads with Blanchett and a strong performance from Taraji P. Henson as Benjamin's surrogate mother Queenie, the only person in the world who seems to understand and truly love him from the start. Other cameos along the way bring a large array of characters, including Tilda Swinton, one of Benjamin's early love interests. The film spans from the end of World War I to the the arrival of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The transitions from life stage to life stage and decade to decade are seamless. Fincher does a tremendous job at maintaining a steady flow of action and dialogue. There is not a dull moment in the film. The cinematography is superb and couples nicely with Fincher's style of accentuating certain colors to enhance a mood or moment. There really is nothing wrong with this film. Even with a runtime of about 160 minutes, time just flies by, much like it does for Benjamin, only we are going forward. This is a tender and meaningful film you do not want to wish.Read full review
Features Actors:Brad Pitt,Joeanna Sayler,Jason Flemyng,Taraji P. Henson Running Time:167 Min. Rating:PG-13 Mortality and loneliness revolves around a baby (Brad Pitt) born old who grows younger over the course of his life. The film opens in New Orleans at the end of the First World War where we find Benjamin's mother (Joeanna Sayler) dying during childbirth being followed by his father's (Jason Flemyng) wrapping the inexplicably-aged infant in swaddling clothes and secretly depositing him on the back steps of the local old folks' home. Fortunately, he is immediately adopted by Miss Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), a selfless, mammy-like figure who altruistically decides to care for him the best she can. Although her odd-looking, little octogenarian is initially beset by an assortment of infirmities, Queenie can't help but notice that there is something which sets Benjamin apart from the rest of the residents at her assisted living facility. For, while they continue to deteriorate and die, he miraculously has his vitality restored, and gradually gets back his hearing, eyesight, hair, and so forth. Eventually, Benjamin not only feels fairly spry, but independent enough to bid Queenie and company adieu and sets out to explore the world on his own. And with an uncanny sense of timing rather reminiscent of a Forrest Gump, he proceeds to embark on an epic journey which lands him in the middle of a number of events of historical import over the ensuing decades, such as a World War II naval battle and a NASA rocket launch. Button's reverse aging theme is unique, allowing for a sufficiently novel plotline which proves compelling when you factor in special effects and the Oscar-nominated performances of Brad Pitt and Taraji Henson. Truely one of a kind movie, very original!Great acting & effects!Hope this helps you decide.Thanks for reading! :)Read full review
A touching testament to the value of appreciating the life you're given. David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) is a moving romance drama that adapts F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story of the same name. Fitzgerald wrote a brilliant concept of a man aging in reverse that I found fascinating to watch play out. Eric Roth and Robin Swicord's script is filled with realistic dialogue that feels grounded for a fantasy film. Fincher's direction is as striking as ever. The shots on the pier at the beach and everything in the retirement home is stunning. I cannot stop thinking about Brad Pitt just walking into his home back to meet Queenie again. For such a long film, Fincher keeps you engaged with endlessly beautiful cinematography. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button features, perhaps, the greatest movie make-up ever. The old age make-up looks so real. Fincher must have used some CGI here or there, but I cannot even tell. The make-up for the various ages from teenager to the elderly for Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett is all remarkable. Alexandre Desplat's score is magnificent and very beautiful. The first piano melody that Brad Pitt plays in the retirement home is my favorite song from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Desplat captures music that fits in early 1900's America throughout the decades. His score is timeless. Brad Pitt is absolutely incredible within The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. His portrayal of Benjamin Button aging and living on as everyone around him dies is very touching. His serious take with a somber tone and a deeper voice fits the character perfectly. Pitt keeps you interested with a subtle performance that keeps on giving memorable moments of emotional depth. Brad Pitt is simply captivating to watch over the years. Cate Blanchett is really interesting as Daisy. Her character is not unlike Fitzgerald's Daisy in The Great Gatsby. Blanchett plays her as sweet and playful, then manipulative and dismissive in such a way that you want to hate her character. When Button never harbors resentment for his situation or her behavior, you appreciate how devastating Blanchett is in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Her ballet dancing is as mesmerizing as her tragic romance on screen with Brad Pitt. Taraji P. Henson is excellent as Brad Pitt's adopted mother Queenie. She plays the selflessly kind and motherly parent that gives unconditional love to an unloved child. Henson is so adorable and sweet that you really empathize with her perspective. Henson had a career waiting for her after The Curious Case of Benjamin Button for sure after she won your heart from this film. Queenie is the person that we should all aspire to be like. Taraji P. Henson is awesome and plays well alongside a young and charming Mahershala Ali. Jason Flemyng as Thomas Button is poignant in his depiction of a man that would not raise his own son. He is easy to hate, but develops a sense of sympathy and understanding as the film goes on for his respect and care for Benjamin. Flemyng captures the essence of his business man character that cannot cope with abandoning his child. Jared Harris is really entertaining as a tug boat captain that takes in Benjamin Button. His interactions with Brad Pitt feel so genuine and likable. Lastly, there are 3 other supporting ladies that I feel I must mention. Elle Fanning is a childhood Daisy and it is neat to see her so young acting alongside an acting giant like Brad Pitt. Fanning plays the adorable innocent with a pleasant charisma. Then, Tilda Swinton is melancholic as the unhappy wife to a diplomat in Russia named Elizabeth Abbott. Swinton goes against her typecast of a weird lady, instead portraying a beautiful and forlorn woman. Finally, Julia Ormond is very captivating and relatable as the audience surrogate Caroline. Her role keeps getting larger as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button plays out and Ormond feels so empathetic. In all, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a classic romance drama with a bizarre premise. It may not work for everyone, but it is a remarkable film with inspired direction and performances. Brad Pitt is particularly magical in this film.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
By way of preface, this is not my favorite David Fincher film. I prefer Seven, Fight Club, Zodiac, even The Game in many respects. Many of the criticisms of this movie ring true, e.g., that it bears a striking resemblance to Forrest Gump (which seems apropos, given that the same screenwriter, Eric Roth, wrote both scripts), and that it is somewhat languorous at nearly three hours long. However, it is an effective bittersweet reflection on impermanence, the ephemeral nature of life and love. Moreover, the film itself is a technical marvel, and this is especially apparent on Blu-ray. If you have yet to see this film, I suggest watching it in High Def. While a little overwrought, it is still an entertaining and at times poignant film.
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