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).
- Director:
- David Fincher ('Zodiac', 'Panic Room', 'Fight Club', 'Se7en')
- Writer:
- Eric Roth
- Cast:
- Brad PittCate BlanchettTilda SwintonElle FanningJulia Ormond
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Reviews & comments
Flicks, Team
flicksThe 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.
Fails to be Forrest Gump, fails to be interesting
Brad Pitt pointlessly grows backwards. It's trying to be 'Forrest Gump' but doesn't have any story to tell, just randomly selected, disconnected meaningless vignettes. Ponderous, boring and it goes on FOREVER. Perhaps it was all the makeup that restricted his facial expressions, but Brad Pitt's acting was as wooden as a kitchen table. Sleep inducing.
Yawn....
OH MY SWEET JESEUS!!!!! I feel for the first time in my life that I have truly wasted my time. I was very aware that I was in a dark room with a hundred strangers, well I suppose better that than having to listen to this tripe. Worst piece of crap I’ve seen since my last bad bout of food poisoning. Basically, a troll gets younger as each year goes by and...
disappointing to say the least
I went in excited to watch this movie but halfway through it got quite boring and to be honest very unbelieveable..I like to go in and feel engrossed in the movie especially when you are paying so much for a movie and popcorn...this movie was not one of them i came out feeling like i had wasted my money and may as well of waited until it came out on video...
Overly long
Oh dear, numb bum syndrome set in after two hours and it was difficult to concentrate despite the beatifully crafted sets and detailed cinematography or the acting skills of the principle actors -Tilda Swinton was the standout for me. This story could have had more light relief and at least half an hour shaved off which would have given it some pace.However...
Edward Scissorhands and Forest Gump, but neither...
Check Ben's father, Vincent Price look a like? Yes we've seen this film, and short story before - Burton and Zemeckis did it better, so Fincher didn't really try. Neither did Brad Pitt, he'd already played the role perfectly well in "Meet Joe Black", and well, Cate Blanchett played the whole thing angry she wasn't Claire Forlani, Robin Wright, or Winona...
Variety
pressThis odd, epic tale of a man who ages backwards is presented in an impeccable classical manner, every detail tended to with fastidious devotion.
Urban Cinefile
pressSomewhat 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.
Stuff
pressUnderpinning 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.
Premiere Magazine
pressNaturally, Pitt and Blanchett are outstanding. Fincher's meticulous attention to detail is unerring, down to the light fixtures.
New Zealand Herald
pressThe 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.
Los Angeles Times
pressAs 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressSuperbly made and winningly acted by Brad Pitt in his most impressive outing to date.
Christchurch Press
pressThe 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.
Flicks, Team
flicksThe 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.
Variety
pressThis odd, epic tale of a man who ages backwards is presented in an impeccable classical manner, every detail tended to with fastidious devotion.
Urban Cinefile
pressSomewhat 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.
Stuff
pressUnderpinning 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.
Premiere Magazine
pressNaturally, Pitt and Blanchett are outstanding. Fincher's meticulous attention to detail is unerring, down to the light fixtures.
New Zealand Herald
pressThe 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.
Los Angeles Times
pressAs 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressSuperbly made and winningly acted by Brad Pitt in his most impressive outing to date.
Christchurch Press
pressThe 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.
Fails to be Forrest Gump, fails to be interesting
Brad Pitt pointlessly grows backwards. It's trying to be 'Forrest Gump' but doesn't have any story to tell, just randomly selected, disconnected meaningless vignettes. Ponderous, boring and it goes on FOREVER. Perhaps it was all the makeup that restricted his facial expressions, but Brad Pitt's acting was as wooden as a kitchen table. Sleep inducing.
Yawn....
OH MY SWEET JESEUS!!!!! I feel for the first time in my life that I have truly wasted my time. I was very aware that I was in a dark room with a hundred strangers, well I suppose better that than having to listen to this tripe. Worst piece of crap I’ve seen since my last bad bout of food poisoning. Basically, a troll gets younger as each year goes by and...
disappointing to say the least
I went in excited to watch this movie but halfway through it got quite boring and to be honest very unbelieveable..I like to go in and feel engrossed in the movie especially when you are paying so much for a movie and popcorn...this movie was not one of them i came out feeling like i had wasted my money and may as well of waited until it came out on video...
Overly long
Oh dear, numb bum syndrome set in after two hours and it was difficult to concentrate despite the beatifully crafted sets and detailed cinematography or the acting skills of the principle actors -Tilda Swinton was the standout for me. This story could have had more light relief and at least half an hour shaved off which would have given it some...
Edward Scissorhands and Forest Gump, but neither...
Check Ben's father, Vincent Price look a like? Yes we've seen this film, and short story before - Burton and Zemeckis did it better, so Fincher didn't really try. Neither did Brad Pitt, he'd already played the role perfectly well in "Meet Joe Black", and well, Cate Blanchett played the whole thing angry she wasn't Claire Forlani, Robin Wright, or Winona...
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