The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
"I was born under unusual circumstances." And so begins "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," 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. We follow his story, set in New Orleans, from the end of World War I in 1918 into the 21st 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 Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas and Julia Ormond, "Benjamin Button," is a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.
A great movie that young people may not "get". @manchua
I thought the movie was fantastic, but most young Americans probably won't fully appreciate it because it doesn't fit the mold of blockbuster. It is a slower, thinking person's movie. It will also appeal a LOT to people who are 40 and older, particularly those who are 60+. These are the people who have lived during the 50s, 60s, 70s, etc. These are the people who have experienced older age, death, and Alzheimer's disease. They will "get" this movie much more than someone younger than 20.
A Real Review of the movie... @Stephen Mumbles
Upon seeing the trailers for this movie I got excited, like everybody else, for its release. I know some films are deemed "boring" and that you have to have a certain taste in film to be able to sit through them and appreciate them (like No Country for Old Men, or There Will Be Blood, two films which I loved), but this movie is not in that category of "Boring films that should be appreciated". This movie lags on with the intention of having hidden messages and metaphors for many different kind of lives, just as Forest Gump did, but it fails terribly. In the middle of the film he meets a woman in a hotel and has an affair with her and that whole one and a half hour bit seems pointless, and virtually is. Cate Blanchetts performance as the old woman is almost laughable despite her being in a hospital bed. But her role as her young self is descent. Brad Pitt doesn't really play a character when he's young, it just seems like he's playing himself. As an old man though he's quite believable. This story was based upon a short story of a few pages and made into its own. I read an article saying that many people had tried making this movie throughout the past few decades but could never make it work, but that this was the only script that worked with the story and seemed "makeable". And it does, indeed, seem that if this movie were to be made that this would be the version of it that is almost watchable. But, it overstays its welcome with its length, and the acting isn't all believable, and the visuals, although great, can only save the film so much. The hidden lessons seem forced and the story thinks it's more epic than it really is. This isn't a movie worth buying. But do rent it if you're curious like Benjamin. It's worth one viewing.
An Epic Story @MatthewClark
From the first moment I saw the trailers for this film, I was hooked. Never has a story been told like this, and never will there be another. A brilliantly beautiful adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, Benjamin Button is a compelling love story twisted into the circumstances of this man's unique life. Brad Pitt's performance was nothing short of legendary. I watched this film, and not once did I ever relate Brad Pitt to any of his other starring roles. He separated himself into a slow-speaking Southern gentleman with a draw and attitude capable of wooing the most romantic of women. It's a love story about Benjamin and Daisy which is slightly upstaged by everyone's question: What will happen when he gets young and small? Brilliant screenplay, brilliant acting, brilliant score. 5 stars for Benjamin Button. My only complaint: Perhaps in theatres they should have given an intermission in the three hour show, to use the restroom...
One of the best movie experiences I have ever had @by fredrico
I would call this movie a masterpiece. Brad Pitt was so amazing in this movie that he should have won the oscar, instead of Sean Penn. This movie also reminds me of Forrest Gump in a way too, and as much as I hate to admit this but the ending made me feel a little empty inside.
Probably one of the best movies ever @Matt Clipp
Seriously, this film is pure gold. It is basically the perfect movie. The only problem I had with it was that it was very long, but honestly I think that made it better because we got to see more of this excellent film. The story of Benjamin Button is one of the most intriguing stories brought to the screen in a long time, and watching his life unfold (backwards) is truly amazing. My advice: buy it. You'll love it.