The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

(Fight Club, Seven, Zodiac). The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a sprawling epic painted in broad strokes by the gifted visionary David Fincher.

Brad Pitt plays Benjamin Button, an individual born with a most unique condition,In this offbeat lyrical tale. It seems that Button is aging in reverse which presents a strange set of challenges for him, particularly when it comes to romance. He meets his soul mate in the form of dancer Daisy (played by Cate Blanchett), but the catch is, he's never really in physical sync with the love of his life until they're both in their 40's. Beyond that, Button‘s life is rather ordinary, but in a way, that‘s the whole point.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Forrest Gump scribe Eric Roth has turned it in to a long story (the movie pushes three hours), but I was always intrigued by it. Thematically, this film does have a bit in common with Forrest Gump, but whereas that picture pulled at the heartstrings and had simpleton Forrest meeting famed historical icons, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is more interested in depicting it's main character as a man with a seemingly normal life, only under abnormal conditions.Roth's screenplay doesn't always engage on a human level.

It is a bit cold and dreary, but somehow, I remained transfixed by the movie. There's just something magical about it, and I attribute that to David Fincher, a brilliant director and a master of tone. As was the case in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrester, Fincher avoids the overly sentimental traps you might be expecting. It's low key, restrained, and almost morose in nature, but it isn't without it's charms and poignant moments. The final act of the film in particular, really moved me.
The special effects in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button are positively astonishing. The various technical processes used to age Brad Pitt are mind boggling and I can say without hesitation that I've never seen anything quite like it. It's been reported that Pitt was involved in every facet of this performance. Through make-up, motion capture, and other visual wizardry, you will believe that his Benjamin Button is aging in reverse.

As terrific as Pitt is in the picture, it is Cate Blanchett and Taraji P. Henson I was thinking about after the film ended. As free spirit Daisy, Blanchett is simply luminous. She has so many memorable moments here that it would be near impossible to point them all out, but it's her act of love and kindness towards an elderly Button that broke my heart. Another great performance from one of our very best actresses. Henson is feisty and sweet as Queenie, the gentle soul who takes care of Button from birth. As Button's mother figure, Henson brings a lot of warmth to the film. Filling out a stellar supporting cast are Julia Ormond, Jason Flemying, Elias Koteas, and Jared Harris.
The title of this film says it all. This is a curious (and haunting) movie about life, death, and love as told through the eyes of a man with a most unusual condition. It's a flawed film to be sure, but there's no denying that it's a technical marvel filled with passion, poignancy, and outstanding performances.