Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, The (2008)

3 out of 4

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P Henson, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng, Julia Ormond

Director: David Fincher

Time: 159 mins

Viewed: Regal Marlboro 8, New Jersey

Curious film about the life of one Benjamin Button (Pitt), who is born old and slowly becomes younger as time goes by. Over the course of the next two-and-a-half hours, we meet the people and experience the events that shape his destiny, including Daisy (Blanchett), his one true love, who periodically comes in and out of his life. Entertaining but long film, based (loosely) on a story by F Scott Fitzgerald, has plenty of movie magic, including atmospheric visuals, top-notch makeup effects, and an emotional final act, but the numerous similarities to 1994 Best Picture Oscar-winner Forrest Gump (courtesy of writer Eric Roth, who also penned the screenplay for Gump) can make this seem more than a touch familiar. Also, while the film never explains why Button has his unique affliction, even the characters don't seem to wonder or try to explore why he's aging in reverse. This aspect rings a little falsely to me, but is perhaps in keeping with the fantastical nature of the tale. Acting is uniformly fine, with vivid performances from Blanchett and Taraji P Henson as Button's warm, loving foster mother, as well as a poignant cameo from Tilda Swinton.

(c) Joe Wong (3 January 2009)