David O'Connell
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
February 11th 2009 23:31
It's almost inevitable that the film will be awarded, too, as it seems to contain all the most formulaic elements worthy of raising its quantitative qualities: an adequate performance by Brad Pitt, playing the lead character, the look of despair on Cate Blanchett's face, always excellent.
Even further, it's got a gimmick, that Pitt's character ages backward, starting as a wizened old man, then ripening to a virile young man and receding into childhood and infancy.
Complemented with travels around the world, a tragic romance and enough masterful direction from Fincher, who layers the film with ominous foreboding and effortless CGI to render Brad Pitt as an old man.
The problem is, for me, that it's a film lacking in inventiveness, daring or entertainment. Perhaps I'm tired of the concept, having read Martin Amis' "Time's Arrow", a life of a man told backwards, touching on the same threads, and having encountered the gimmick several times since.
Part way through the film, I had the unsettling feeling that I was watching "Forrest Gump" again, this time with Hanks replaced by a CGI Brad Pitt; imagine my complete lack of surprise to find that the screenplay was written by Eric Roth, who did, indeed, write "Forrest Gump", and rehashes much of the same story and tricks, including the method of telling the story from flashbacks, read from a diary.
It's all meticulously crafted, with effort to make the film look incredible. But for what? To tell the story of a man that wanders through life, aging backwards, making no examinations or commentary of such an event. No one seems surprised by Benjamin's affliction, and though he's raised in a black family in the South, there's not even a hint of talk of racism.
The most interesting aspect of the film is the relationship between Benjamin and the love of his life, Daisy. Obviously, she'll get older as he gets younger, and it's this moment that we are excited to see, though the film flies past it, choosing, instead, to show more of Pitt riding a motorcycle off into the distance, seemingly an easy decision to abandon his family.
After two-and-a-half hours, going down the 30 minute stretch, I was on the verge of falling asleep or, even better, faking a seizure to have the pleasure of being restrained and removed from the cinema bound to a stretcher, mouth foaming and shrieking obscenities.
I say: Everyone else seems to like the film, which suggests that I'm the only rotten grape of the whole bunch. If you're in a cinema and there's a commotion, followed by screaming, you'll know that I've had the extreme misfortune of having been forced to watch this a second time. Read a review from Roger Ebert.
See it for: The cast is uniformly excellent, with the captivating Tilda Swinton engaging Benjamin in one act, holding the camera mesmerized.
*this image is from I Watch Stuff!
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Comment by Aimzster
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
It's funny you mention Forrest Gump. I didn't realise it was the same writer. Anyway, Mr M found on youtube (I think) someone put together a Gump/Button mash up.
Meets the love of his life as a child.
Goes to war and becomes a hero.
Befriends a black man.
There's a boat.
All these elements and more. It's quite funny. I haven't seen Button yet. But I have to say that mash up didn't make me want to go in a hurry.
Mr M and I are trying to see as many Oscar films before awards night so we can applaud or criticise accordingly on the night.
Thanks for the review.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
For all that, it's still oddly endearing, just without any real substance!
Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
I thought that Pitt and Blanchett had zero chemistry, I thought it was simply tedious to watch, and I left confused at what all the fuss was about.
Also, I hate it when I watch a film that I just know was destined to be nominated for an Oscar. Like the director was sure of it before the film was done. It felt really pompous and pretentious in a way.
I had the same feeling from Atonement.
Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
But, well made, with a great setting and fairly well acted yada yada ...
I wrote a bit of a review, which (plug time!) you can readhere.
The link to the very amusing Gump v Button video is here.
Comment by Summer Banks
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Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
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Techbreak
Mrs. M, thanks for reading! I guess you'll need to watch this movie to appreciate the events at the Oscars...
David, I agree completely.. the reverse aging is a gimmick. Not sure if I found it endearing, though...
Matt - trust your instincts on this!
Moviemall - a Gump vs Button mashup seems inevitable. Thanks for the links!
Summer - one the kids will enjoy? Maybe...
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
. . . in the end movies are about escapism - and if it gives people a chance to escape for 1, 2 or 3 hours from the humdrum and they like it - it's achieved its goal - I think some reviewers (current company excluded) sit atop their ivory tower and forget this sometimes.
OK - so they're paid to have their say - but sometimes its just about losing yourself in the moment - and everyone has a different opiniion of what that moment is.
That said - I'm not about comparing the book - I'm about whether I enjoyed the movie - and frankly yes - I did.
It's not one I'd be scaling walls to see again - but for a couple of hours it managed to take me away from the real world - and that in itself is sometimes enough.
To each their own.
Always a pleasure
Comment by Journeywoman
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I reckon I'm gonna suffer the same fate as you Cibby, with my current slamming review of My Bloody Valentine. I fear everyone else will enjoy it, and not see past the 3-D veneer.
What do you think of the Inglourious Basterds trailer?
Comment by Jake 5
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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A friend of mine said this was rubbish, so I left it for the $1 DVD Cheap Tuesday. Nice to see that your review supports my decision.
Lilla ...
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
You have expressed what I feared for the film and its stellar Director...will make my own mind up on DVD. I loved the novella so I doubt it will be pleasant.
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Loved this movie! Thought it was excellent! hahaha Flame away
P.S. and I hate forrest gump
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
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... you didn't like Forrest Gump? What did you like in Benjamin Button, considering the similarities?
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
While Gump irritated me with its feeling without thinking sentimental approach, there were some very meditative moments and sequences in Benjamin Button regarding the nature of death and loss, and I dont see the premise as a gimick at all, I see the main character moving further away from death while everyone moves closer to it, there was alot in this film that struck me very deeply and stayed with me. I should probably write a review on it going into more detail.
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Jai
And I definitely agree with the point about no one seeming to notice or really care much bout his reverse ageing, in conjunction with him pretty much never commenting on it.
Comment by StarWarsGeek
And I liked Forrest Gump.
Didn't even know Pitt was in it. Just watched it for the sake of it. Didn't care about all the unanswered questions, just accepted it as what's necessary for the story to be told.
Fun & easy watch. A good break from my usual fare of extremely intense, stress-inducing, and brain-cell-sapping movies.