Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Director: David Fincher
Movie review
From Time Out London
The investigative scope and emotional weight of David Fincher’s ‘Zodiac’ surprised those of us who accused him of valuing style over substance. But in ‘Benjamin Button’, the director assumes a greater challenge: an epic, melancholic romance that employs a multi-generational cast and groundbreaking visual effects. It’s a testament to Fincher’s skill as a storyteller that the film actually works, albeit sporadically.The script was adapted from a F Scott Fitzgerald story about a man who ages in reverse. Newborn geriatric Benjamin (Brad Pitt) is abandoned on the steps of an old folks’ home and raised by kindly nurse Queenie (Taraji P Henson). As a septuagenarian on crutches he meets love of his life Daisy (Cate Blanchett); in middle age he woos and wins her; as a young man their life together begins to fall apart.The screenplay was written by ‘Forrest Gump’ scribe Eric Roth, and it shows: much of ‘Button’ takes place in a Southern fantasia populated by brassy women and sassy black folks, all of whom pepper their conversation with enough homespun homilies to fill a Reader’s Digest almanac. But thankfully this is Fincher’s movie, not Roth’s, and his exacting eye for bravura visual spectacle carries the picture.
At times infuriatingly banal, at others unexpectedly powerful, this is shameless Oscar bait that transcends hokey scripting thanks to a combination of sheer craft and some remarkable performances, notably Tilda Swinton, whose brief, poignant turn crystallises the film’s timeless themes of love, loss and regret.
Author: Tom Huddleston
Time Out London Issue 2007, 5 - 11 Feb, 2009
User reviews of this film
-
- hmmmmmmmmmm said...
- Posted on Mar 12 2009 19:28 a good thought provoking film, quite loooong htough and does slightly drag on. nevertheless a different story line unlike a typical film, but i must admit quite predictable. brad and kate were both wonderful. i would recommend this to an older audience.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- janice said...
- Posted on Mar 09 2009 22:27 you will fall asleep half way through
- Report as inappropriate
-
- megan said...
-
Posted on Mar 07 2009 15:31
BEST FiLM EVERRR xD
its wicked (: - Report as inappropriate
-
- dude said...
- Posted on Mar 05 2009 16:30 The best film i have ever seen in my whole life!!!!!!!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- fran s said...
- Posted on Mar 03 2009 16:40 Forgot to put in the blooming stars! Definitely five-star
- Report as inappropriate
-
- fran s said...
- Posted on Mar 03 2009 16:39 This is a film for mature intelligent cinema-goers, which prorbably says a lot about the folk who didn't like it! Lots to think about, really interesting idea, and great acting.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Bob said...
- Posted on Mar 02 2009 22:56 This film was so poor,it went on for so long and I have never felt so depressed after watching a film!!!!!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Rachel said...
- Posted on Feb 28 2009 22:01 im 13 n i love it!!!!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Rachel said...
-
Posted on Feb 28 2009 21:59
This is such a good film!!!
Anyone would love it!!! It is quite sad at the end though but is well worth going to see!!!!
IT IS AWESOME!!!!!! - Report as inappropriate
-
- aimee said...
- Posted on Feb 28 2009 17:55 this was the worst film ever i couldnt believe it got nominated for so many awards it was crop
- Report as inappropriate
-
- chris.w said...
- Posted on Feb 28 2009 15:46 oh come on people you can tell that some of u are just saying its rubish, i mean do you have to try that hard just to find an arguement and make yourself look big, i didnt think it was bad at all
- Report as inappropriate
-
- lottie said...
- Posted on Feb 27 2009 18:37 Errgh y cant every one agree! I cant tell if its good or bad now. Would two 16 year olds like the film?
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Jo said...
- Posted on Feb 26 2009 19:58 oh i really loved this film, so bits were so sad i was actually crying, i would really and truly recommand it. though it is long and i got a sore ass from sitting too long it was terrfic!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Lianne said...
- Posted on Feb 26 2009 16:54 PLEASE do not watch it.. do not waste your money especially your time.. i was expecting a good movie but sadly it was bad.. but both performance from brad and kate were very good.. moving but boring..
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Soraya said...
- Posted on Feb 25 2009 15:37 This film is so bad, ill be honest i dont recommend it to any1..im sorry but it was that awful.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P Henson, Jared Harris, Jason Flemyng, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Elias Koteas full cast
Rated: 12A
Duration: 166 mins
UK Release: Feb 6 2009
US Release: Dec 25 2008
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Hippies who work for The Man
To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within
Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies
Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe
Grant Heslov: interview
Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Michael Jackson's This Is It: review
Kenny Ortega's posthumous concert film is a rousing eulogy for one of pop's great enigmas
Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace
From Cannes to Munich to London, Dave Calhoun tours Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'
Danish director Lone Scherfig was an unlikely choice for a very English affair like 'An Education'. Cath Clarke meets her
How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life
Time Out gets Romantic with the ‘difficult’ New Zealander about her new film, 'Bright Star'
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now