Dvd
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This F. Scott Fitzgerald novella adaptation is the story of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), born a feeble old man who ages backwards, eventually dying as a baby. Naturally enough, this leads to issues - romance and maturity are OK in the middle years when his physical and mental age meet, but bigger problems arise at either end of the age spectrum. Fitzgerald remarked, "this story was inspired by a remark of Mark Twain’s to the effect that it was a pity that the best part of life came at the beginning and the worst part at the end".
Directed by David Fincher (who reached a new high with last year's Zodiac), adapted for the screen by Eric Roth (The Insider, Forrest Gump).
Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Elle Fanning, Julia Ormond
Directed by David Fincher ('Zodiac', 'Panic Room', 'Fight Club', 'Se7en')
Written by Eric Roth (based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
Festivals & Awards Best Art Direction, Make Up and Visual Effects - Academy Awards 2009.
Drama, Adaptation | 2hr 39mins | Rated (M) | contains offensive language & sexual references | Origin: USA | Official Site »
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Flicks review
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4
The problem with visionary directors like David Fincher is that sometimes, perhaps, we expect a little too much. This fantastical tale, the reunion of the Seven/Fight Club director with Tyler Durden himself, Brad Pitt, has been looking like a potential masterpiece for months. As it turns out it’s not perfect, it’s just very, very good. And that’s ever so slightly disappointing.
Benjamin Button has so much going for it though. There’s beautiful earthen-hued cinematography throughout. There’s a convincing, controlled performance from Pitt, natural enough to stop you obsessing over the amazing ageing effects once the initial novelty has worn off. There’s a story which, while it has little to do with its Fitzgerald source material (except for the basic premise), does throw in a little bit of excitement for all tastes, with moments of self-discovery, high adventure, humour and romance.
But on the downside, the story unfolds in such an unhurried, best-part-of-three-hours way that it sometimes drags, with the love story between Button and Cate Blanchett’s Daisy proving both the heart of the film, and its least interesting element – the early womanizing and wartime scenes are much more fun. Add in a distracting, unnecessary modern day Hurricane Katrina side-theme and there are undoubtedly a few blemishes here.
So what sounded like it could be one of Fincher’s strangest films, in fact comes out as one of his most accessible – a less madcap, more grandiose Big Fish. It may have a crinkly bub gradually morphing into a teenager in it, but essentially it’s a star-crossed love story with philosophical accoutrements. Go into this expecting a feast of offbeat originality, or thrills and spills throughout and you’ll feel a bit let down. But expect elegance, tenderness and stunning visuals and you’ll be repaid warmly.
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The people's reviews
23 reviews
Press Reviews
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FilmThreat.com [USA]
Benjamin Button is pretty much just "Gump" with better cinematography.
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Hollywood Reporter
Superbly made and winningly acted by Brad Pitt in his most impressive outing to date.
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Los Angeles Times
As enervating as it is long -- and at 2 hours and 47 minutes it is quite long -- this version of the F. Scott Fitzgerald fantasy short story is a baffling project, an endurance test of a movie that feels like it was made on a dare.
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NZ Herald [Francesca Rudkin]
5
The outcome may be inevitable from the start, but the emotional punch it delivers captures you by surprise, confirming that this eclectic and overly long journey was worth the watch.
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Premiere [USA]
Naturally, Pitt and Blanchett are outstanding. Fincher's meticulous attention to detail is unerring, down to the light fixtures.
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Stuff.co.nz
Underpinning it all is a meditation on the double-edged nature of time and the spiralling twists a life takes en route to its end. Time is brutal, the film is saying. Fitzgerald was right about that. Yet there can be moments that defeat time by enduring as long as they remain in someone's memory.
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The Press [Margaret Agnew]
4
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is perfect escapism for these uncertain times, to remind us to make the most of the life we're given. It's also proof that mainstream Hollywood can still break out in imaginative, unexpected, oddly satisfying ways.
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TV3 [Kate Rodger]
A curious, compelling little love story, and one I urge you not to miss.
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Urban Cinefile [Australia]
Somewhat bloated and relying on its novelty value, the screenplay lumbers when it should be sprightly, and its rare moments of humour are limited to a running gag about an old man being struck by lightning - seven times. My disappointment with the film is made the more severe by the fact that it strikes so many emotional truths about humanity . . . and is so well made.
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Variety [USA]
This odd, epic tale of a man who ages backwards is presented in an impeccable classical manner, every detail tended to with fastidious devotion.
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