The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON is stunning. The story, the acting, the effects, the craftsmanship of the filmmakers--everything hits on all cylinders. And with the extra features available with THE CRITERION COLLECTION, the viewer learns about the remarkable technology that allowed Brad Pitt to play young (meaning "old") Benjamin by digitally placing an animated face on another actor's body. Then the viewer learns how "cosmetic" effects were used to make Pitt and costar Cate Blanchett look much, much younger. The disc containing the special features, where everything is discussed about the film--from its inception to post-production--is actually longer than the film itself, but well worth taking the time to watch. It's as spellbinding as the haunting tale of Benjamin Button--a person who was born old, and ages backwards through decade after decade of life primarily in New Orleans. And over the course of the story, some very compelling and interesting characters weave in and out of Benjamin's life in grand fashion. And what a story! As director David Fincher advises in a must-see audio commentary, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON is not a "love story", it's a "death story." As the story begins, we find Cate Blanchett's Daisy character literally on her death bed as Katrina bears down on NOLA. As she has her daughter Caroline (Julia Ormond) read aloud from Benjamin's personal diary, the story moves back to New Orleans during World War I, to the dedication of a new clock for the city's train station, whereby Gateau, the blind clockmaker, has installed a clock that runs backwards--"So that all the sons we lost in the war might return to us." We then move to the evening of Armistice Day, the night a withered and monster-looking Benjamin is born, with his dazed father (Jason Flemying) literally leaving the newborn on the doorstep of the local old folks' home. Thus an ancient-looking Benjamin literally grows up surrounded by death, as inhabitant after inhabitant dies, only to be replaced by other inhabitants who die. Benjamin's childhood may be the best, most entertaining part of a most entertaining film, because all the characters that come into Benjamin's life are so delightful and fun to watch. (Two of the most compelling characters are Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), Benjamin's adoptive mother, and the hysterical Captain Mike (Jared Harris), who gives adolescent Benjamin his first job on a tugboat, and a most interesting coming-of-age evening.) Of course it's during his childhood that Benjamin meets 7-year-old Daisy; both are immediately drawn to one another, and as Daisy so wondrously states, they spend the next few years preparing to "meet in the middle." The story moves on from Benjamin's childhood, when he leaves New Orleans at age 17 (yet he looks 60) to adventure on Captain Mike's boat literally all over the world. Before World War II erupts, he has his first love affair in Russia with Elizabeth Abbott (Tilda Swinton is terrific), the wife of an English diplomat, and during the war Benjamin experiences suffering and death as Captain Mike's tugboat is destroyed at sea. Benjamin returns to New Orleans following the war, and as the years unfold his youthful looks begin to coincide with Daisy's (who is in a ballerina troupe traveling the world), until an injury ends her career, and in her thirties she returns to New Orleans, and Benjamin and Daisy begin their lives together. There is pending heartbreak because, as Benjamin laments, "Nothing ever lasts", and over the decade of the Sixties Daisy ages while Benjamin looks younger; a daughter is born in 1968, and a year later, Benjamin informs his soulmate, "She needs a father, not a playmate." He quietly leaves early one dawn, and we don't find him again until 13 years later, when he shows up unexpectedly at Daisy's dance studio; both Benjamin and Daisy are in their fifties, yet Daisy looks middle-aged, while Benjamin barely looks 20. There is a brief romantic encounter, then the story doesn't pick up again until Daisy receives a call from Child Services, asking for her assistance with a confused boy who doesn't know who he is. Daisy moves back to the nursing home and becomes Benjamin's caretaker, until in 2003, appearing as an infant, he dies in Daisy's arms. So indeed, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON is a "death story", but it is also a rich celebration of life. THE CRITERION COLLECTION version of this film is enthusiastically recommended. David Fincher has made a masterpiece, richly detailed and marvelously crafted; THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON could very well be this generation's "Citizen Kane". --D. Mikels, Esq.

Amazing movie and story everyone should watch at least once. A great perspective of life.

Great movie

Great movie that has to on everyone's must watch list. Brad Pitt is makes it work

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray ]Few movies evoke deep emotion within me, but when they do, the effects stay with me long after the final scene plays out and the credits begin rolling down the screen. I have been aching to watch this movie ever since it first came out in 2008, but I never got the chance to see it at the theatre. Then, the other day I found the DVD at a deep discount on Amazon.com for a mere $2.00 plus shipping. It was used, but it was in good condition and quite a bargain, if you ask me. It arrived in today's mail and it was just in time for a lazy Saturday afternoon of entertainment. After watching the movie, it is understandable that it won three Academy Awards. Based upon an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, the producers, directors and actors brought an astounding presentation to the big screen. Brad Pitt, of course, did an amazing job with his portrayal of Benjamin Button, but then Brad Pitt could just stand there and look gorgeous and I would say he was magnificent, no matter what the movie was about. Cate Blanchett, as Daisy, the woman he was destined to love forever, was his perfect co-star. Yes, the premise of the movie is odd in that a baby (Benjamin) is born in the unlikely state of an eighty-year-old man with severe health issues, who then grows younger, healthier and more handsome as each year passes by, but I found so many similarities between this story and real life. You know...all that Cougar stuff - older woman with a younger man - and even the older man with the younger woman, which is more common. A mother's love for her child was also played out in several different scenarios. I'm a sucker for tear-jerker movies that bring to the screen the true emotions of real life, though, so this one was right up my alley. My only complaint was that many of the scenes were just too dark...not enough lighting or something...or maybe I need to adjust the brightness and contrast on my television screen. Other than that, I thought it was an absolutely brilliant screenplay. If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest you do. It is well worth your time.

e un film bellissimo

J'adore ce film. Les acteurs sont excellents et l'histoire est bien ficelée. J'étais curieuse de savoir comment on allait raconter une vie à l'envers sans être ridicule. Le challenge est réussi. Il n'y a pas de longueurs, malgré la durée du film. Certaines scènes sont exquises et poétiques. À voir absolument!

Love this movie! Perfect to watch while hanging out with friends, sleeping over at your boyfriend or girlfriend's house, or even while having some alone time after a long day at work.

Toller Film. Originelle Idee und dazu noch großartig umgesetzt.

Bon film