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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button |  | Director: David Fincher
Actors: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, Faune A. Chambers, Elias Koteas
Studio: Paramount
Category: Movie
This item is no longer available
Rating:  250 reviews
Sales Rank: 5648
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 166 Minutes
ASIN: B002C4YYEU
Theatrical Release Date: December 25, 2008
Release Date: November 30, 2009
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| Synopsis:
On the day that Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, elderly Daisy Williams nee Fuller is on her deathbed in a New Orleans hospital. At her side is her adult daughter, Caroline. Daisy asks Caroline to read to her aloud the diary of Daisy's lifelong friend, Benjamin Button. Benjamin's diary recounts his entire extraordinary life, the primary unusual aspect of which was his aging backwards, being born an old man who was diagnosed with several aged diseases at birth and thus given little chance of survival, but who does survive and gets younger with time. Abandoned by his biological father, Thomas Button, after Benjamin's biological mother died in childbirth, Benjamin was raised by Queenie, a black woman and caregiver at a seniors home. Daisy's grandmother was a resident at that home, which is where she first met Benjamin. Although separated through the years, Daisy and Benjamin remain in contact throughout their lives, reconnecting in their forties when in age they finally match up. Some of the revelations in Benjamin's diary are difficult for Caroline to read, especially as it relates to the time past this reconnection between Benjamin and Daisy, when Daisy gets older and Benjamin grows younger into his childhood years. |
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 250
 Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................... February 24, 2010
inframan (the lower depths)
Slowest dullest movie I've ever watched. Every character the broadest stereotype, every line a meaningless cliché. The only positive I can say is at least they didn't cast Robin Williams as the lead.
 Looking younger by the day...literally. February 21, 2010
Balaji Rajam (San Jose, CA)
Perhaps once or twice in a year, a movie comes along which can be described as lyrical. This is definitely one for 2008. Somehow the whole feel of the movie reminded me of watching "The New World" the brilliant work from Terence Mallik. Apart from having a love story as the crux, their plotlines have nothing in common. The similarity is more to do with the narrative and the willingness look more closely at the human condition than breeze over it.
David Fincher is a master craftsman. His body of work is standing testament to his abilities. Last year's underappreciated 'Zodiac' was probably one of the best films of the year. Fincher gives a demonstration in how the narrative has to adapt to the storyline. Zodiac was edge of your seat thriller (not in the conventional sense) but here he allows us to get up close and personal with Benjamin, Daisy and Quinny.
The cast is incredible. Fincher's attention to detail is evident when he has cast a terrific Julia Ormond in a minor role. Lot many drectors may have cast a lesser actress. Cate Blanchett is someone who elevates herself in every movie I have seen. She seems to constantly strive to find that extra dimension to her characters. Her Daisy evolves beautifully throughout the film not just due to brilliant special effects but also due to the way Miss Blanchett refines it with age. Taraji P Henson agan proves she is a force to be reckoned with after "Hustle & flow".
Then of course Brad Pitt. Most of the time his acting is effortless. It almost seems as if he is playing is cool collected self. But he really blossoms as the love story between him and Daisy picks up steam. He portrays a lovely blend of tenderness with the increasing confidence of a man getting younger.
If you are someone who has found him/herself losing track of time looking at a painting or any kind of art, this movie is for you. Because real art is not something you gobble up. It is more sedate approach of savouring every morsel until its real beauty strikes you deep within. This movie is just that.
Well-packaged, but silly February 19, 2010
Up North
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A lot of films have a kind of smugness or conceit built into them. This film is not only very pleased with itself, it positively drips with unfounded confidence. First, there is the main idea that initially seems kind of neat - a man is born old and gradually "grows younger" as he gets older. But as you think about it more, and as you watch the film struggle to fit the idea into its narrative, you can increasingly see the seams even as Button's wrinkles fade. For instance, why did we not see poor Ben die as an embryo? (This might have raised uncomfortable issues in the abortion debate, maybe?) Or, why was he born old but physically grew up right after he was born? I suppose not even the film makers wanted to have to depict a 5'6" "newborn". (While they didn't spare some other things we didn't need to see, I'm thankful that at least they left out this "messy" scenario.) Well, never mind. It wasn't the idea as much as it was all of the" moralizing", hardly letting up for nigh unto three hours, that made me grow gradually more annoyed. (Forgive the joke.) First, Benjamin gets "older" but he doesn't seem to get any wiser. He becomes something of a manwhore, comes home to his ...er....childhood sweetheart (a sexual athlete in her own right)...and proceeds to sleep around some more after this when he finds out she's not so innocent. Great message. Second, we were force-fed a plethora of trite aphorisms that make those of John Madden sound profound. My favorite was something along the lines of: "That's why people die, so we know how much they mean to us." Wow. Really? Or maybe I'm getting it wrong. Maybe the film was so logically, imaginatively, and morally backward on purpose so that the backward aging of the main character is matched on another level.
Some points for cinematography, makeup, and interesting music.
 awesome movie ... i wonder how come it couldn't win oscar... February 18, 2010
Flaming Spaz (Connecticut, USA)
awesome movie ... i wonder how come it couldn't win oscar...Slumdog was way too ordinary in comparison...
Too Weird for Me. February 16, 2010
Alicia M. Justus (Washington)
Really wasn't impressed. Not a great plot, creative but not enticing. Acting was great but it was just odd. Wouldn't recommend buying it. Rent it if you really want to see it.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 250
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