Seen on: December 25, 2008

The players: Director: David Fincher, Writer: Eric Roth, Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond

Facts of interest: Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The plot: After being born under unusual cicrumstances, a man (Brad Pitt) mysteriously starts aging backwards.

Our thoughts: David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a strikingly emotional and visually intriguing experience. A sophisticated reflection on life, it’s one of those films that get you thinking about your own existence, including what you’ve accomplished so far and what you still plan on achieving in the future. That’s the effect the movie had on me, anyway.

Written with plenty of passion by Eric Roth and based on F. Scott Fitzgerlad’s short story, “Button” introduces us to Benjamin (Brad Pitt), a man who is born under unusual circumstances. Stuck in a body bearing all the physical characteristics of an 80-year-old, Benjamin mysteriously ages backwards, getting younger while everybody around him grows older.

Starting off with his childhood, the movie primarily focuses on the key moments in Benjamin’s life, including his dangerous but enlightening time at sea, his visits back home, and his rather complicated relationship with the charming Daisy (Cate Blanchett), a talented dancer who’s always had a very special place in his heart.

Watching Ben getting younger everyday is a deeply touching experience filled with dramatic elements, heartwarming moments and even a refreshing touch of light but welcomed humor. To me, the most interesting thing to observe in this film is how Benjamin doesn’t acquire his knowledge about life and the world like most of us, primarily because a lot of adults treat him like someone their own age.

The film’s plot may remain simple throughout, but the message behind Ben’s aging anomaly is as powerful and honest as it can get. I’m sure you’ll each find your own interpretation, but to me, this story serves as a perfect way to show viewers that it’s never too late or too early to chase a dream.

Fincher’s direction, as usual, is flawless, and so is the film’s entire production design. Every single shot in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is perfectly coordinated and looks absolutely gorgeous, topped off with a calm but unforgettable score by Alexandre Desplat. Add this to the movie’s powerful story, and you’ve got nothing short of a masterpiece.

But wait! There’s more! Brad Pitt hits all the right notes in the role of the man who ages normally in his mind while his body keeps getting younger. He’s got just the right looks and talent to play this unique character, and he does it perfectly throughout. The same goes for Cate Blanchett, who turns in a fabulous performance as the female lead and shares an excellent chemistry with her male co-star.

Freaky quote: “My name is Benjamin Button, and I was born under unusual circumstances. While, everyone else was agin', I was gettin' younger... all alone." – Brad Pitt

The final word: Without doubt, “Benjamin Button” is one of my favorite films of the year. There’s just so much to discover in this story and its characters, and I highly suggest you make this one a priority among all the films opening this weekend. See it and enjoy it to the fullest extent, because you never know how long it will take until you get to see another mainstream tour de force like this one.

Article by Franck Tabouring