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The 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
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- Janet said...
- Posted on Mar 20 2010 00:19 If I had been at the cinema I would have walked out and self-harmed in the alley at the back. What shallow predictable mind-numbing nonsense! Made Marley and Me look like a masterpiece.
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- 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.
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- janice said...
- Posted on Mar 09 2009 22:27 you will fall asleep half way through
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- megan said...
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Posted on Mar 07 2009 15:31
BEST FiLM EVERRR xD
its wicked (: - Report as inappropriate
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- dude said...
- Posted on Mar 05 2009 16:30 The best film i have ever seen in my whole life!!!!!!!
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- fran s said...
- Posted on Mar 03 2009 16:40 Forgot to put in the blooming stars! Definitely five-star
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- 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.
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- 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!!!!!
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- Rachel said...
- Posted on Feb 28 2009 22:01 im 13 n i love it!!!!
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- Rachel said...
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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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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?
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- 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!
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- 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..
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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
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