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The Plot
This is the interesting thing about the movie, the plot it was made me want to watch this film anyway. Benjamin Button begins his life at the end of his life, he is born and looks like an 80 year old man, and has to deal with not only learning new things like beginning to ... Read review
This is an anthology of the best stories written by Francis Scott Fitzgerald - including ... more
"The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button" "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" and "A Diamond As Big As The Ritz". People who were unfailingly polite racked their brains for comp...
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I was born under unusual circumstances. And so begins The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, ... more
adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time...
I was born under unusual circumstances. And so begins The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, ... more
adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time...
Adapted from the classic 1920's story by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Curious Case Of Benjamin ... more
Button stars Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button - a man born in his eighties who ages backwards! The film follows Benjamin's story set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918 into the twenty-first century following his journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be. Directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett with Tilda Swinton Taraji P. Henson Jason Flemyng Elias Koteas and Julia Ormond "Benjamin Button " is a time traveler's tale of the people and places he bumps into along the way the loves he loses and finds the joys of life and the sadness of death and what lasts beyond time.
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A handsomely produced stand-alone-edition of the witty and fantastical story by F. Scott ... more
Fitzgerald, 'THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON', is the inspiration for the upcoming major motion picture starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett and directed by David Fincher.
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Everything is a joy to watch Disadvantages: Love/Hate kind of film/Length
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This is the interesting thing about the movie, the plot it was made me want to watch this film anyway. Benjamin Button begins his life at the end of his life, he is born and looks like an 80 year old man, and has to deal with not only learning new things like beginning to talk, walk etc, but also dealing with arthritis and the fact that his organs were failing.
The film follows Benjamin as he grows older through the years, ... ...younger and so the story begins. Benjamin has to live his life get younger, whilst those around him get younger.
==The Cast ==
Brad Pitt plays Benjamin Button
This is the performance of his life, by far. Pitt plays Benjamin, he was born as a baby in an old mans body. As he grows, he begins to get younger, beginning the story of his life. Pitt plays Benjamin from when he was about 7 looking like an old ... more
Since I saw this film advertised in my Empire magazine I really wanted to see it, I enjoy Brad Pitt's work and I knew that it would be good, but I wasn't prepared for what it delivered.
The Plot
This is the interesting thing about the movie, the plot it was made me want to watch this film anyway. Benjamin Button begins his life at the end of his life, he is born and looks like an 80 year old man, and has to deal with not only learning new things like beginning to talk, walk etc, but also dealing with arthritis and the fact that his organs were failing.
The film follows Benjamin as he grows older through the years, but his appearance begins to change, he begins to get younger and so the story begins. Benjamin has to live his life get younger, whilst those around him get younger.
The Cast
Brad Pitt plays Benjamin Button
This is the performance of his life, by far. Pitt plays Benjamin, he was born as a baby in an old mans body. As he grows, he begins to get younger, beginning the story of his life. Pitt plays Benjamin from when he was about 7 looking like an old man, through till what should be about 60 where he looks like a young teenage boy. The special effects team were brilliant, but it was Pitt that delivered this performance and made this role what it was.
He has this quiet confidance about him when he's playing Benjamin, he has this sparkle in his eye, which shows you that the old man is really Brad Pitt just under a lot of makeup and special effects. It truly is a brilliant performance by him, one worthy of an Oscar in my opinion.
Cate Blanchet plays Daisy
Blanchet plays Benjmain's childhood friend Daisy, like normal people, Daisy ages normally, and you follow her from a young age to an old woman. Daisy would have worked if played by anybody, however I think Blanchet really took the role by her hands and because she had so much chemistry with Pitt it just worked for a character. This is the prerformance of her life. Brillaint.
My Opinion
This film may not be the sort of film that everyone would like, I was shocked before going to see this at all the bad comments about this on IMDb.com, there was even talk of the film being pushed back for release until the summer due to comments on the site.
I did enjoy this film, I really did. Firstly the idea of the film is just brilliant, seeing Brad Pitt go from tons and tons of make-up looking like an 80 year old man, to his usual self. I have to say, for a man of his age, he really does look good as he gets younger in the film. In the film, Benjamin grows up in an old people's home, as this is what the woman who took him in does for a living, she runs an old people's home. This is a great metaphor for the film, as it really does add so much emotion to the film, Benjamin looks the same age as these people who have come to this place to die, and that's what they do, left right and centre he sees these people dying, where as he is getting younger by the day.
One of the things I noticed was this film was fuelled a lot by one word, Fate. All the way through you feel this, you feel that when Daisy and Benjamin meet, something is going to be there late in life, a lot of what is narrated by Benjamin also talks of fate.
The ending had to be very predictable, but I still found myself chocking up. Benjamin is born as a baby in an old mans body and when he's supposed to grow older he grows younger. Life has to end at some point and for Benjamin he will end it in diapers and not being able to talk of course.
As there are so many good points within the film I'm going to talk about the rest in different sections to make it easier to read:
Acting
For me, if everything else had failed, you should watch this film for this reason and this reason only, the acting in the film is, excuse my French bloody brilliant. Never have I watched a film, where the cast they have hired for the main roles been so perfect. I think the role of Daisy could have been done by many actresses and have worked, but Cate Blanchet was just amazing at Daisy. The accent she uses sounds so real, and of course Cate having such a strong Australian accent really pulled of this deep southern accent, which did get on my nerves a little bit but that doesn't matter. Daisy is an integral part in Benjamin's life and you don't just follow Benjamin as he gets younger, you follow Daisy as she gets older. Blanchet pulls off every scene with such grace and poise that you really see why she deserves to be nominated for academy awards. I have heard that Rachel Weisz was supposed to play Daisy and I don't think that would have been as believable as Blanchet was.
I haven't talked about Brad Pitt yet. I have watched this man act in all different types of films, from one of his first Thelma and Louise to the likes of Seven and Meet Joe Black, but no performance comes close to this performance he gave when playing Benjamin Button. There is one scene that sticks out in my mind for sure, this is also a great thumbs up to the special effects team, but it has the 9 year old Button I believe standing in front of the mirror, looking about 60/70, however it is so obviously Brad Pitt. His eyes sparkle through and you get this throughout the whole film. He is what makes this film amazing to watch, it must have been a challenge to film, but he pulled it off and has given his best performance yet.
Chemistry
This is very important in a film like this, the leads have to have great chemistry and Blanchet and Pitt really do. They are so powerful together and it is so believable that this woman who is young is enthralled by this man who appears to be years older, it is believable and beautiful at the same time.
The chemistry these two actors have within the film is just captivating, each hand hold, each kiss, each joke is done with so much emotion that you believe every second of it. Only the best actors can do this and these two pulled it off brilliantly.
Cinematography
The money spent on this film must be a tremendous as there are so many scenes that are so powerful and have so much going on. With the film being so long, every 10 minutes seems to move onto a different scene and this is what keeps the movie flowing and this for me is what is so brilliant for the film.
You don't get the opinion that anything was held back, each special effect that was needed was used, visually the film was just stunning and it really was just amazing to watch each scene play out and you sit there wondering what they're going to do next.
Special Effects
This plays a very big part within the film, of course Daisy ages normally, but the film follows her from a very young age, till a very old age. I believe Blanchet picks up the role when she's about 17 and the special effects used made her looking about this age, so realistic and so believable that it almost looked like a different actress.
The greatest special effects done were on Brad Pitt however, more specifically Benjamin. Benjamin is born as a baby in an old mans body, so the special effects to make this baby look like an 80 year old man were just frighteningly good.
This wasn't the end for the special effects, throughout these are used in different parts of the film to show Benjamin's journeys. They made the film visually a masterpiece.
David Fincher- Director
The direction in this film was as magnificent as everything else, he directed these actors brilliantly and they both made probably their best film of their lives. Fincher who is best known for films like Seven or Zodiac managed to bring so much grace and fluidity to the scenes and to the actors it really did just all work.
I think he had a very hard job, the film is just under 3 hours long, which is a long time to be sat in the cinema. Due to the fact this is a hate it or love it film it was a risk to make this such a long film, but it worked so well and Fincher has took something that could have been awful and made it absolutely brilliant.
Book/Screenplay/Idea
This is what caught my attention in the first place; the idea of life in reverse is just amazing, so complicated but simple at the same time. I had heard so many bad reviews about this film, due to the length and the fact it was boring because of this, I wasn't sure.
The screenplay is just brilliant, it's so simple but full of different things happening to Benjamin the entire way through are so poignant for his life. I went to see this with a few mates, 1 actually fell asleep but the rest of us were enthralled throughout, the film is long, no doubt about that, but the time just flies by if you enjoy it.
Bad Points
Of course with a film of this length there are going to be some bad points, these are things I had to look for I have to say.
Accents --------------
The old woman that talks I believe is Cate Blanchet and her accent when talking is so annoying and such a bug that I found myself getting quite irritated and hoping that they go back to Brad Pitt narrating.
Too Long --------------
The film is 166 minutes, not far behind 3 hours of footage, this is way too long, the film flies by but there are scenes that could have easily have been cut. I dread to think of the length before it was edited.
Should You Watch The Film? ------------------------------------------
To watch the film, you need to make sure you ignore all reviews including this one, as most films have you either love it, hate it or like me are slightly unsure about it. I think this is due to the sheer length and the fact that it could have been cut in length.
In my opinion, the film is well worth checking out, and to make up your mind about it. If you can't sit down for a long time, then wait till this film is on DVD before you see it, as you will need to pause it as it is nearly 3 hours. Blanchet and Pitt have given the performance of their careers, I'm amazed that Benjamin Button didn't win anything at the Golden Globes, maybe this'll mean it'll miss out on the Oscar is deserves, but I think there are so many amazing films out there which aren't as long that might beat it to the post, which is a damn shame.
Advantages: A Hauntingly, Beautifully Filmed Epic of Time Disadvantages: A Little Too Long
...epic of time. It tells the tale of a child born suffering the weaknesses of old age who lives his life backwards, growing younger with every year that passes. A long line of screenwriters have attempted to put this story to film but Eric Roth takes the famous author's premise and creates a more elaborate, beautiful narrative than the short story could ever convey. The film is set in New Orleans, a city known for its endless colour, gentle ways and ... ...sees how disfigured and withered the child's appearance is. Unable to cope with the image in front of him he relinquishes the child on the steps of a rest home where the lovely Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), a loyal and loving black employee takes him in. Among the old folks Queenie brings the child up and he is not out of place with the other patrons. Bent, half-deaf, losing his hair, sat in a wheelchair and covered in age spots, the doctor is convinced ...
Praski 13.02.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Advantages: Its over Disadvantages: Hyped up Oscar bore
...defined by its opportunities... even the ones you miss". ----------------------------------------------- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the worse case scenario for the professional film critic, which isn't me, of course. Its not that it's particularly bad or anything but what it represents. It's strategically released around the awards season in February so the movie press can go along to the freebie junkets and parties and pick up their ... ...stuff about it, and with the studios full PR machine behind the film low-and-behold it gets loads of nominations! Everyone in the business knows it's a very average movie but it cynically fits all the nomination criteria - painstakingly long, dressed with at least two huge A-List stars and intelligent enough to smugly alienate the proletariat to make the Academy feel cleverer than their public by picking it. This is nothing new of course and we have ...
thedevilinme 07.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Advantages: Moving, Emotional, Sensitive Disadvantages: A little Long and Slow
...circumstances; he was born into the body of an old man with aching joints and wrinkled skin and blindness, an ailment which led to his parents leaving him on the doorstep of a local borstal. After a wild night out a young woman finds the crying baby and decides to offer him a place to stay with her as well as her love, despite being told by doctors that he will surely die within weeks. However, the baby grows stronger everyday and appears to be getting ... ...his life can never be the same as others and it takes on its own very unique twists and turns.
The Curious case of Benjamin Button is an example of that rare thing in Hollywood; it is a great piece of story-telling. It takes an unusual premise and runs with it, creating a magical and emotional journey that charms, intrigues and moves in equal measure. It is gorgeously rendered, perfectly acted-out and sumptuously written with a huge amount of heart ...
JayHall1991 11.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Advantages: Entertaining, Thought Provoking, Deep, Eye opening and worth watcing Disadvantages: Some things done before in other films
...just how caring he was. The older I got the younger his looks got. We had a wonderful friendship and as we talked we shared stories of memories that we both had. He used to work on a boat and his adventures were fascinating. He watched many of his friends die and yet he still lived. He had a lonely life, but through it all he kept his faith. I was born to dance and unfortunately our paths separated for some time until one day a terrible accident ... ...is a short synopsis of the plot, but I don't want to carry on and spoil it for you. I feel after watching the film that I have actually got to know Benjamin personally and each character shared their life with the viewer. This is a heart warming and lovely film the kind of film that only comes along once in a life time. I feel very privileged to have watched it. I watched it on DVD, but was sad to see there was no special features. It would have ...
Mickie26 21.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Advantages: Brad Pitt, ageing process Disadvantages: Story didn't really go anywhere
...I had high hopes for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Firstly Brad Pitt was in it (how could it possibly be anything but great) and secondly it has been nominated for so many awards that I was really looking forward to seeing it. Unfortunately, although I found it good, it?s not a film I would go and see again and would not really describe it as a classic in my opinion.
The film is a love story, that much is certain, a love story across the ... ...found relationships and friendships across the ages. I think the reason why I didn?t love it is because to me nothing really happened, the film just sort of moved along with nothing much to the story and at times dragged a bit I thought and was probably a little bit too long. At one stage my husband and I turned to each other and just sort of felt a bit bored. That?s not to say however that the film was not wonderfully made and well presented.
The ...
Spottydog11 19.02.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
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Advantages: great actors Disadvantages: a little long
The CuriousCase of BenjaminButton was a film that I had heard so many mixed reviews on I thought that it was about time that I watched what everyone was talking about and if it was worthy of the awards that it received.
With Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett playing the main roles in the film, they story picks up from 1918 where Brad Pitt plays BenjaminButton, a baby born in an old person's body, who to start looks ugly and struggles with life who then get younger instead of older as a role reversal to everyone else and how their life normally pans out.
A brief summary of the story is a blind man is commissioned to create a clock to hang in a train station, upset by the news of his son's death in WWI, he creates a clock which runs backwards to try and restore all the lives of loved ones.
One day a young mother passes away after ...
Advantages: Everything. It's got depth, good characters, good plot, its well thought out, thought provoking... Disadvantages: You have to pay attention... That's it. No half watching this film.
feature that we never know the narrator's name, and that the directors put single frame flickers of Tyler in before he even enters the film.
Norton, Pitt and Bonham-Carter all had stellar performances, especially Pitt, who I would say, until The CuriousCase of BenjaminButton, never acted so well.
Throughly satisfying movie. Criminal to miss it. ...
surveysista1988 10.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Fight Club (DVD)
Advantages: brilliant story and solid acting Disadvantages: not enough kevin spacey!
It's hard to imagine that Se7en first came out 14 years ago as it still, to me, one of the best pyschological thrillers in film and one that all the recent decent cop/ thriller films should look to as a standard setter. This film helped launch David Fincher's career as a director before he went on to direct Fight Club (1999), Panic Room (2002) and CuriousCase of BenjaminButton (2008 - see one of my earlier reviews for this brilliant film). Yes, it seems he does like working with Brad Pitt!
Se7en is set in a crime ridden US city and stars Morgan Freeman as the weathered and retiring detective William Somerset, Brad Pitt as the new keen recruit David Mills and Gwyneth Paltrow as Pitt's wife (most of you will know that they were a real-life couple during this time also). The film throws us into the deep end straight and we are confronted ...
jamiebecks 17.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Seven (DVD)
Contains infrequent strong language and moderate violence
Video Category
Feature Film
Country Of Origin
United States of America
Plot
Following on from SEVEN and FIGHT CLUB, director David Fincher and Brad Pitt team up for a third time with this adaptation of a F. Scott Fitzgerald short story. Pitt plays a man who is born 80 years old, but instead of aging, he grows young. Oscar winner Cate Blanchett co-stars, along with Taraji P. Henson and Tilda Swinton.
Release details
Studio(s)
WARNER BROS., WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
DVD Region
DVD
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Director's commentary
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital
Professional reviews
Review
A sprawling, enthralling movie (Time Magazine, 10/12/2008)
An historic achievement, a masterful piece of cinema (Variety, 10/12/2008)
DVD Description
At once epic in scope and intimate in detail, David Fincher's THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON is certainly the director's most emotional film to date (though FIGHT CLUB and SEVEN don't offer much in the way of competition). Loosely based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald story, this romantic drama tells the tale of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), born in 1918 in New Orleans as a baby with wrinkles, cataracts, and arthritis. Benjamin will age backwards, getting younger as he watches those around him growing older. Included in that group are his adoptive mother, Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), and Daisy (Cate Blanchett), the love of his life whom he meets when she is just a little girl and he is an old man. They age in reverse, but despite Benjamin's globe-trotting adventures, their lives repeatedly intersect. The script from Oscar winner Eric Roth bears more than a few hallmarks in common with his earlier work on FORREST GUMP: both adaptations cross decades and continents. But BENJAMIN's script or even the fine acting aren't its most impressive accomplishment; the technology--both CGI and makeup--used to make Benjamin and Daisy age are remarkable, and makes the film entirely believable, but they're certainly aided by fine performances from both Pitt and Blanchett. The triumph of technology only serves to underscore the beauty of this film and of the love story at its heart.
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