Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -- It Will Make You a Believer

I walked into The Curious Case of Benjamin Button a skeptic.

I walked out a believer.

While I make a point of reading as little as possible about a movie before I see it (except for possibly reading the novel on which it is based, which I didn't do in this case), what I had absorbed about Benjamin Button was not encouraging. That's because the comparisons I saw inevitably referenced Forrest Gump, which ranks in the top 5 of least-deserving best-picture Oscar-winners of all time.

So the good news is that, aside from offering seamless visual effects, David Fincher's new film is nothing like Forrest Gump. It is at once enchanting and emotional, sweeping and intimate. It never hammers its gimmick but utilizes it to give depth to the feelings it evokes, as it weaves its magic across the decades.

Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald that was originally set in late 19th-early 20th-century Baltimore, Benjamin Button has been transposed to 20th century New Orleans, beginning at the end of World War I and moving all the way to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Katrina even plays a role, a fact that has bothered some critics but which seems the perfect metaphor for the death of a way of life.

Katrina is the backdrop for the story's bracketing construct: A young woman (Julia Ormond) sits at the bedside of her elderly, dying mother (Cate Blanchett) in a hospital, as Katrina approaches. Going through her mother's few belongings, she uncovers a diary - the story of Benjamin Button as told by Benjamin himself. Her voice reading the story gives way to his, telling it.

The premise is simple but magical: A son is born to a wealthy button-maker named Thomas Button (Jason Flemyng) on the day the war ends. But the birth kills his wife - and the baby is a monstrosity, a tiny baby version of a super-annuated little old man.

Button abandons the baby on the steps of a local nursing home, where he is adopted by the residence's live-in attendant, Queenie (Taraji P. Henson). She brings him up and, eventually, realizes that, the longer he is on Earth, the younger he becomes.

By the time he leaves home to crew on a tugboat skippered by the salty Captain Mike (Jared Harris), he still looks like a 65-year-old man. And he has already met the love of his life: Daisy (Blanchett), the granddaughter of one of the residents of the old-age home. They meet as children and again as adolescents - but they truly see each other for the first time when Benjamin comes home in his 20s, after a stint working for Captain Mike in Russia and then fighting by his side against a Nazi submarine.

The events of the film - Benjamin's reunion with his father, his on-again, off-again affair with Daisy, their eventual decision to part when it becomes clear that he's becoming too young to remain her romantic partner - are less consuming than the way they are strung together. This is one of those movies where the journey, not the destination, is the point: the idea that we reach critical moments in life unexpectedly (a fact made physical by a recurring character who recounts all the times he was struck by lightning, one after the other).

Fincher assembles this like a mosaic, one made of individually fascinating pieces that comprise one larger, more encompassing picture. The emotion accrues slowly - the way experience deepens us as we move through life - until we are caught up in it. The comparison is to the grain of sand in the oyster; what you have, by the end, is the pearl that is this film.

For the rest of this review, go to my website: www.hollywoodandfine.com

Comments

[bubbuh]

CCOBB aficionados of the reading persuasion will find "The Confessions of Max Tivoli" by Andrew Sean Greer interesting and enjoyable. Published in 2004, I believe it might have had more to do with Buttons than Fitzgerald's short story. The book very well written. I found it enjoyable.

Greer is a fine young (by my standards) novelist, just coming into his power.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B06E4DD1038F93BA35751C0A9629C8B63 or (incase you don't want to register at NYT)
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/andrew-sean-greer/confessions-of-max-tivoli.htm

Happy Yappy 2009, Y'all!

[fedupdoc]

Wonderfully thoughtful commentary!! I would recommend the movie for anyone contemplating a worthwhile evening at the cinema. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a story of the human condition; a portrayal of two lives moving in regression and progression of each other. Along with the painful sadness and youthful joy of living life in either direction, it all comes together for a brief moment in time when they are perfectly in sync. Even the time in which the story is set versus the time in which it is told (with subtle yet poignant political undertones) demonstrates the profound effects of the rise and fall (or progression and regression) of all things through time, in either direction¦¦ And the clock ticks in reverse¦. Tick tock tick tock¦.. While this movie has been said to be more of a "Forest Gump" tale, not being a fan of "Forest Gump" on ANY level, it is far more acceptable and emotionally probable than "Gump" could ever be.

[andvoodoo2]

I saw CCBB (as the signs read during shooting) and loved it. It was life affirming. It left me feeling that all things are possible, that it's never too late to start to live again and that life is a wonderful journey which we should all enjoy to the fullest - one day at a time. Few movies have touched me in such a positive way.
Pitt was excellent in the movie, too.
Finally, the film showed my beautiful city of New Orleans the way we locals see it - as a fully integrated city where blacks and whites live together and whose lives are fully tied together in a way that benefits all of us and makes us all better for it.

[doctorj2u]

Great post andoodoo2! I saw the film this weekend and loved it. Leaving the theater there was so much to think about. One of the things I thought about was the huge number of hummingbirds immediately post-Katrina. Maybe they were all the people that passed away. I hope it was their freed spirits on their way home. Brad Pitt called the movie a love letter to New Orleans. I can never thank him enough.

[rektruax]

While I've yet to see this Button picture, it warms my heart to find someone who thought Gump was as overrated as I always did...

[Wickowitz]

I found this movie more personal though less interesting than Forrest Gump. Whereas Gump was an allegory for the cultural journey of the American generation that came of age during the 60s, CC-BB serves more as a meditation on love and loss, focusing in particular on the need to live in the present because "You never know what"s coming for you," as Benjamin"s mother often tells him. Wiser words were never spoken, and rarely presented in such entertaining fashion. And that's enough for any movie...

My full review at http://www.wikpik.com/movie_reviews/1581-the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button

[jbatch]

I had no knowledge of the movie or it's progeny when I went in to see it, but about midway through it I turned to one of my companions and said, "This is like Forest Gump -- except it's good."

There is the same weaving of vignettes, but whereas with Forest it was a series of shallow and simplistic morality tales that seemed as if they came from an after school movies production, with Benjamin, they were more subtle, more richly textured, and more real.

With Forest, you got "life is like a box of chocolates ... you never know what's next." Except we did. Forest would triumph in some absurd and unbelievable way simply because he was good. And he chased his girl through time and got her in the end.

With Benjamin you got " You never know what's comin' round next ..." and you didn't. Like life, Benjamin careened around as events herded him to an inevitable end -- yet he struggled to become and individual -- a real human, not a cardboard cut-out like Forest.

So, while I agree that Forest Gump is one of the all-time worst Best Pictures, I disagree that Benjamin was different from Forest -- it was very similar. But good.

[phylliscooper1]

Worst Best Picture of the year was Chariots Of Fire.

[texmike]

Had the exact same reaction after I watched this movie. VERY Gump like in style, but far more rich and human in characterization.

Although Pitt will probably get the oscar nod, Cate Blanchett made the movie as far as I'm concerned. She really brought her character to life. And as Daisy in her prime, wow...drop dead gorgeous.

[hallelujahanyway]

Not a Pitt fan (though i think he was great in Thelma and Louise), I went with no expectations, curious about the story. Found the movie satisfying in many ways. Heartbreak, beauty, understated joy and humor, in the right measure. A generous movie that offers something i will remember and use.

[strangerinthenight]

The Great Gatsby was a required reading in HS, then again in College. I participated in the debate about materialism of the uppity-up society of the time. It was replete and boring discussion. I discovered Button accidentally - love-sci-fi short story by Fitzgerald. The University library had 1 copy. It was hardly read. I was more enthralled by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button than Gatsby. At the Finals, instead of Gatsby, my paper was on Benjamin Button. I noted that the class syllabus "Gatsby" is boring and irrelevant, should be replaced by Fitzgerald Short Stories.

Got an provisional grade with a note to see Professor Blue, my adviser. I appeared before the firing squad - my adviser. Professor Whetherington and the Dean. They fired 8 questions about Gatsby. I obediently answered them like a parrot.

Thereafter, I was dismissed out to wait. I heard some discussions, then, was ordered back to face the old stuck up Establishment one more time. Got an A on Gatsby, a note for being OBSTINATE. I was excused. I turned around, rolled my eyes. "It was worth it", I muttered. I kept the paper for remembrance. That paper must still be in my parents attic covered with dust.

Finally, Benjamin Button is given the recognization it truly deserved - in substance, this sci-fi story is equal to Tender Is the Night, The Beautiful and The Damned, and yes, even The Great Gatsby. Thanks for the OBSTINATE , David Fincher. Fitzgerald must be smiling.

[JGatsby]

Actually Fitzgerald wouldn't be smiling. He put his heart and sole into those novels and he considered his short stories to be things that were done just to support his and Zelda's luxurious life style. Like most critics these days I disagree and think that the short stories are also amazing but to say that Button is better than Gatsby just indicates you never really understood Gatsby. Its about a lot more than "materialism of the uppity-up society of the time". Actually I never even really thought of that as what its about but then again I never took any classes on Fitzgerald I read him because I love him.

[strangerinthenight]

Beg to disagree .

Gatsby's theme is materialism about the roaring 20's. Again, it's replete and boring. I have no problem with materialism in the sense that it defined one's life. Our society made that by choice. It's redundant, and as far as I am concern, it's our way of life. Then again, you never explain what you really got out of Gatsby, but unkind enough to say I never really understood Gatsby. Tell me, have you ever defy the old Establishment of your University, or have you been before a firing squad to test your knowledge of Gatsby.

Professor JGatsby, what do you really believe the lamp in the middle of the night signifies ?

In defense of Button and Sophie's sci-fi love story - their's is quite different. Imagine being born an old man, and falling in love with a young woman, then re-kindle that love where during mid life in reverse. QUITE FANTASTIC.

I like the way you declare you're love for Gatsby and Fitzgerald. Do you really believe that I'd risk my scholastic records for glorification, or be called OBSTINATE, or had the audacity of challeging the University Establishment ? Betya' Fitzgerald knows how I feel - no need to vocalize them.

Oh yes, Professor JGatsby, Fitzgerald is smiling, even now as I respond to yours.

[JGatsby]

Sorry should have been "heart and soul" like Scottie I some times drink and write.

[strangerinthenight]

Just fine with me Gatsby. I understood clearly.

[lisakaz2]

You didn't have to be obstinate. The problem was that you didn't fulfill the assignment and they could have easily penalized you for writing the wrong paper. You would have deserved it; your ability to answer questions on Gatsby saved you because they assumed you were lazy and didn't want to do the work of reading a book. Did you actually approach the professor beforehand, discuss your displeasure with Gatsby, and tell him how much you enjoyed this other work? I'm guessing you weren't nearly as upfront about it as you should have been. I bet you could have worked out some compromise or something that satisfied the course as well as what you wanted to do. Since I'm gathering it wasn't an independent study, you flouted the requirements of the course without proposing an alternative. I bet there would have been little or no fuss if you engaged your instructor. Maybe you would have gained a convert, too.

[strangerinthenight]

First off, read my post. I participated in the debate about Gatsby. I doubt if Professor Herrington even consider me a slacker. YES, I would be so obstinate, if that will precipitate a change, or a discussion to at least reconsider the syllabus.

Do you really believe that an undergrad will have a chance in getting their attention. Not in a million years. I was not a scholar, just an obstinate undergrad who was tired of irrational discussions of the material world when in fact, it is our way of life. Fitzgerald other works has been largely forgotten. Gatsby is still overblown.

And yes, I gained 3 converts.

[doctorj2u]

I can't wait to see this movie. Brad Pitt called it a love letter to New Orleans. I want America to see the New Orleans I see in my heart everyday and experience what that means.

[JGatsby]

I was a bit surprised when I first heard that Hollywood was making a movie out of this story. I suppose its obvious but I am a huge fan of Fitzgerald and while Button is an interesting amusing story its not at all the best of his work and there are so many other stories and novels that haven't been touched by Hollywood. Then I saw that Pitt was to star and I thought just as well. The man is to acting what Britney is to music.

[doctorj2u]

Actually see the movie and you will change your mind.

[macweenie]

Yeah, I used to feel that way about him too but I got past his looks and found out that he really CAN act.

[jbatch]

Twelve Monkeys? Fight Club? Burn after reading? Meet Mr. Brown (not user if this is the title -- but it's a deal with the devil story with Anthony Hopkins... great stuff)

Pitt could have been a pretty faced leading man, cranking out romantic comedies or spy thrillers and counting the money, but he took chances, extended his range, and chose complicated and challenging roles. for the most part he succeeded.

He deserves a lot of credit, in my opinion.

[lisakaz2]

I hear that. I still greatly love "Legends of the Fall." It's such a beautiful film. The other film is "Meet Joe Black. Pitt has deviated from the usual leading man stuff as you say, although I'm not sure if "Interview with the Vampire" is in that category or not.

[RumiSouth]

oh, no. Pitt has actual talent. Britney has... Well, she's extraordinarily ordinary.

[JamesRiddle]

Watching Brad Pitt act is as exciting as watching paint dry. He is a tedious presence.

[JGatsby]

The first movie I saw Brad in was Cool World. I thought he wasn't bad, playing a self obsessed clueless pretty boy. Then I saw a few more and realized he was good in Cool World because he was just playing himself.

[doctorj2u]

Yeah, that is why he is rebuilding New Orleans by himself. He is THAT shallow. What Earth do you live on?

[CKieffer]

*chuckling* This may explain why he was so perfect in Burn After Reading - - it is the same character!

[GaiaTerra7]

Have you seen him in Fight Club, A River Runs Through It, or Interview With A Vampire?

[JGatsby]

Yes, yes, and no. Adolescent tripe, unbelievably bad -- set new standards for bad should have been titled "you will wish a spike ran through your brain rather than sit through this whole movie", and didn't bother because the book was so god awful and movies are almost always worse than the book -- plus didn't it also have Cruise as well? Actually, that might make it worth watching. I never watch movies with Cruise or Pitt anymore but wow the two of them together might be so wonderfully awful that it could be entertaining (kind of like how I was able to sit through Lady in the Water)

[LovingHope]

Forest Gump was a great film. It was entertaining and funny and it made you cry. And even though I rooted for Pulp Fiction that year, I still loved Forest Gump. The movies nominated that year for best picture were great movies. The Shashawnk Redemption has entertained me over the years. I classic movie. If Benjamin Button is as entertaining as those three movies, then maybe Brad Pitt might have a chance. But I just can't imagine Brad being "Best Actor". Very good looking man, but so so actor. If he gets an Oscar nod, I might go see it. I'll be curious to see if he gets nominated.

[ElBruce]

It's not hard for a movie to make me cry. Just yank on the right strings at the right times, and voila, you get pathos from the audience. The difference is if what they're doing is blunt and overt (Gump) or much more subtle, nuanced and artistic (Button). In retrospect, Gump is a very blatantly manipulative movie, which is why everybody loved it when it first came out and then they gradually started to hate it years later as they started to realize how easily they'd been yanked around. You won't hear people five years from now complaining about Button being a crap film.

In short, there's a difference between manipulating an audience's emotions and producing a work of art.

[jugganaut]

I agree that Forrest Gump's Best Picture Award was one of the greater travesties in Oscar history (there were at least 2 better movies from that year, Shawshank Redemption and Pulp Fiction, with Shawshank getting the royal shaft in my opinion), but since when have the Oscars been solely about the year's best cinematic offering?

That being said, Gump wasn't a bad movie by any stretch of the imagination. I'm looking forward to seeing Button's handling of the mortality themes though.

[LovingHope]

I loved Forest Gump. If this movie as entertaining as Forest. I might give it a chance. But I'll still wait till it come out on video.

[LovingHope]

I'll wait till it comes out on video.