Curious....lovely, touching, well-acted, but, indeed, curious

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2009)

On the night World War I ends, a male child is born in New Orleans. His birth also coincides with a clockmaker's creation of a timepiece that runs "backwards". Rushing through a festive crowd in the Big Easy, the father of the child does not make it home for the birth. Instead, he finds his wife dying. The father, a Mr. Button, promises his spouse that he will find a place in the world for his son. But, when Button lays eyes on his child, he is horrified. The little boy is a baby with characteristics of a eighty year old man, wrinkled skin, cataracts, etc. In complete disgust, Mr. Button snatches the child and runs into the night, leaving the baby on the doorstep of a home for the aged. There, a kind nurse, Queenie (Tariji P. Henson) takes pity on the infant and claims him as her own, naming him Benjamin (Brad Pitt). The doctor for the home declares that the baby will not live long. Nevertheless, the infant does live and, as he grows, he appears younger at each birthday. At age seven, he finally can leave his wheelchair and walk, although he still wears thick glasses and looks quite ancient. But, to those closest to him, it is apparent that as he gets "older", his body grows "younger". Curious. Around this time, also, Benjamin meets the granddaughter, Daisy (Cate Blanchett, as she grows up), of one of the home's residents and he forms a strong friendship with the little girl. They will meet again and again over the years. Although Benjamin eventually goes out into the world, finding work on a tugboat, traveling to far away places, falling in love with an older woman (Tilda Swinton), his appearance grows ever younger until he finally becomes quite, quite handsome. A chance encounter with Daisy leads him back into a relationship with her. But, with Benjamin and Daisy traveling into old age in different directions, what kind of future will they have? This is a most lovely film, but it remains, throughout, a curiosity in movie making. Based on a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, its story is so different and, told so leisurely, that it may not suit everyone. In truth, the tale must unfold at a slower pace, for it is meant to simulate the complete life of a man whose years run in the opposite direction of everyone else in the world. As such, the special effects which allow Pitt to look like a "wrinkled little boy" are amazing. But, first, the cast is terrific. Blanchett is wonderful as Daisy, a high-spirited dancer whose love for Benjamin is challenged by the circumstances. Indeed, she also appears, quite wonderfully, as an old woman, telling her tale to her daughter, Caroline (Julia Ormond), at diverse intervals throughout the film. Pitt, likewise, gives a heartbreakingly fine performance as a man whose life is extremely challenging, to say the least. Henson, Ormond, Swinton, and all of the other actors are absolutely terrific as well. As one might expect, the settings, costumes, cinematography, script and direction (by David Fincher) are sensational. But, for all of its weighty attributes, the film still remains an odd, curiosity piece in the realm of movie making. If you love Pitt or Blancett, you will not want to miss this one. Make that a ditto for those fans of fine film making who hold an admiration for bold, unique film ideas. But, for those who get restless during period pieces or slow, involved story lines, you may have to watch this one in several sittings and might be better off to rent the film sometime in the near future.