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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Director: David Fincher

Time Out rating

Average user rating

63 reviews

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 2009-02-03 11:10:45

Time Out London Issue 2007, 5 - 11 Feb, 2009

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User reviews of this film

Raphael said...

Posted on Feb 05 2009 14:17 This is properly one of the most rubbish, pointless films I have ever seen. Not only is it 3 hours of completely boring, unbelievable, cliched rubbish (it's essentially just a straight-up, conventional love story with loads of other random bits chucked in: a bit about Irish people being drunk, some war, some ballet, some bits in Paris, some motorbikes) - but it's all about some guy growing backwards. So who gives a crap anyway??
You would only find this film moving if you're emotionally retarded. This film totally fails to engage with anything serious/profound/difficult/interesting and substitutes this with a whole load of cliches, fantasies, lies (about old age, race) and totally banal profundities.
Don't waste your money/3 hours of your life

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Christine said...

Posted on Feb 05 2009 14:11 This film is over-long, boring and does not deserve the many Oscar nominations it received.

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GuyUK said...

Posted on Feb 05 2009 13:48 I saw a preview of this film 2 weeks ago and although long (2.5 hours) it is going to be regarded as a CLASSIC of our time.
There are many memorable scenes and beautiful photography throughout. There are also a number of common themes that run through the film as it unravels. Even the way the story is told is novel (a sort of retrospective present).
The film obviously has a tearful ending, even more so given the conflict that Benjamin's life promotes in both his own understanding and those whose life he touches and who love him for it.
There are attempts to instill a bit of humour (if nothing more than to relieve the tension of the subject matter) for example the phrase "Did I ever tell you I was struck by lightning seven times" will be in your mind forever (I will say no more).
I will be buying this on dvd but BE WARNED this is NOT a first date/valentines day choice. The subject is obviously sad as one of the statements offered identifies
"Our friends HAVE to die - otherwise how would we know they were special to us?"
STAR RATING

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