Movies

The Curious Cae of Benjamin Button Review

I watched several trailers and read previews online, but the entire premise of the movie (the main character ages in reverse: is born an old man and dies a baby), seemed utterly ridiculous to me. However, having seen the film, I have to admit, I was blown away. It is arguably one of the best films of the year and probably Brad Pitt’s best acting effort, period. There are very solid reasons it got five Golden Globe nominations last week.

 

Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) stars as a man who is born old (as a baby, he is crippled, has arthritis, heart disease, and is hideously wrinkled and deformed) and gradually gets younger as the film progresses. Abandoned by his father after his wife dies delivering Benjamin, he is adopted by an old folks home, run by Queenie (Taraji Henson). Believing he will die soon anyways from his many ailments, she raises Benjamin as her own. Benjamin soon meets Daisy (Kate Blanchett), one of the nursing home’s patient’s grandchildren. They grow up together and become fast friends. Eventually, Benjamin learns to walk and begins a whole series of adventures, from drinking to visiting whorehouses to sailing the high seas.

 

For many this movie will draw parallels to Forrest Gump. The acting is superb, the special effects are excellent (Brad Pitt’s face on the body of an old man for example), and the direction are outstanding. All in all, this was an excellent movie. If one was to find something to detract from it, the length (over 2 ½ hours) is a little long, but the film never drags or slows and constantly keeps humming along.

 

All in all, this movie was a very pleasant surprise, as I wasn’t sure what to expect. Take sometime out over the holidays and go see this movie, as people will be talking about it when you go back to work or school.