The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ron Temple · December 2008

Christmas day was pretty slow at the Temple household. The kids left around 2:00PM, so we decided to go the the movies. I wasn't sold on what to see, but eventually decided that TCCoBB might be enjoyable. Surprisingly, the theater was sold out.

You know the premise, a boy is born old and ages backwards through life. Abandoned on the doorsteps of an old folks home, the child starts as a crippled, nearly blind, arthritic, gnarly little gnome. Taken in by the black housekeeper, he interacts with the series of people that come there to die, slowly growing up and out of his age related problems. Of course, everyone who meets him thinks he's a little wizened old man except the few who know the truth. The story meanders at a fairly slow pace, but highlights so many wonderful moments regarding mortality, aging, growing, love, romance and yes some adventure. It's a work of art.

All the actors and performances were excellent, but Pitt and Blanchette are astonishingly good. I'd expect nominations for both. The makeup and camera or post production work on their faces as they grow and age in different directions was simply amazing. The 20 something faces (and bodies) of their characters are every bit as good as their 80 something versions.

It choked me up, but wasn't sad. Just a wonderful experience. Go see it.

manman · December 2008

haha, i'm the only one of my friends who wants to see this (or is willing to admit it). They pretty much can't watch anything without bullets or exploding cars in it. It looks really good though- nice review.

mjjjhjemj · December 2008

Thanks for the quick write-up. I was on the fence as to whether I should go see this, but will definitely go see it now.

Thanks,
Mike

Ron Temple wrote: »

Christmas day was pretty slow at the Temple household. The kids left around 2:00PM, so we decided to go the the movies. I wasn't sold on what to see, but eventually decided that TCCoBB might be enjoyable. Surprisingly, the theater was sold out.

You know the premise, a boy is born old and ages backwards through life. Abandoned on the doorsteps of an old folks home, the child starts as a crippled, nearly blind, arthritic, gnarly little gnome. Taken in by the black housekeeper, he interacts with the series of people that come there to die, slowly growing up and out of his age related problems. Of course, everyone who meets him thinks he's a little wizened old man except the few who know the truth. The story meanders at a fairly slow pace, but highlights so many wonderful moments regarding mortality, aging, growing, love, romance and yes some adventure. It's a work of art.

All the actors and performances were excellent, but Pitt and Blanchette are astonishingly good. I'd expect nominations for both. The makeup and camera or post production work on their faces as they grow and age in different directions was simply amazing. The 20 something faces (and bodies) of their characters are every bit as good as their 80 something versions.

It choked me up, but wasn't sad. Just a wonderful experience. Go see it.

avelanchefan · January 2009

We just got done watching this and I have to say that it was one of the best movies I have watched in a very long time. It reaffirmed my belief that Hollywood is not dead yet.

Besides the accolades that Pitt and Blanchett should receive, I think Fincher has risen again to be on of the top echelon directors right now. The cinematography was superb, and the sets of New Orleans was fantastic. And I loved how the color hue changed from a 30's film brown to a more colorful one as Pitt "aged". Plus the transformation of Pitt was amazing.

Films like this come around once every 12 to 18 months. Hollywood needs to dump the retreads, and focus more on this type art. Yes it was ART!

Pablo · January 2009

I haven't seen it yet, but does this remind anyone of the "a commin' and a goin' a planet"? (that would just be for you older folks from the early saturday night live days).