Fascinating. If you didn't enjoy, you have missed this films subtle beauty.

Rating: 10/10 (15 July 2010)

The hype about Benjamin Button somehow eluded me, therefore I had no expectations before watching the film. In fact, I only rented the movie at the last minute in order to entertain a group of friends. I spent the entire 168 minutes completely engrossed in the story. Over the next few hours lost in thoughts of life the film had provoked within me.
I am absolutely astounded at some of the negativity on this forum in regards to this film. The general dissatisfaction surrounding this film seems to be in regards to its length. The sad truth about Hollywood films today is that unless there is non stop action people lose interest. Pathetic!! The best films take time to build characters. You can become infatuated with somebody in an hour but to make a deep connection with somebody takes time. The same concept applies here. French cinema prides itself on the ability to build characters and develop story. Hollywood might want to adopt this method more often.
The simplicity with which the plot is conveyed underlines the POINT of the story so many people seem to have missed. The point to this film is best summed up by Button in his letter to his daughter Caroline:
"For what it's worth, it's never too late or in my case too early, to be whoever you wanna be. There's no time limit, start whenever you want. You can change, or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle ya. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."
Benjamin Button experienced all of these things. We see them unfold in his life. Some might say he was boring and unremarkable besides the way he ages. Others can see the sensitive and achingly human heart that lies beneath his quiet exterior. Benjamin is fascinated by life and his unique experiences leave him increasingly curious about the world. Benjamin Button goes through the motions of life, often in a bizarre chronological order, but he none the less discovers it.
It is through Benjamin's life and legacy that his daughter, who at the beginning of the film feels as though she is a failure (apologises to her mother for being a disappointment), is able to draw hope and inspiration. He lived a life full of adventure; he loved, lost and made connections with a range of different people. And so in a way, his life continues on.
Direction by Fincher is remarkable; Pitt is spot on; Blanchett is breathtaking, as always. Make up, special effects, wardrobe is all brilliant.
BAD REVIEWS DISCLAIMER

Button is nothing like Gump. He is sharp minded and processes all that the sees with precision. - The Hummingbird somebody on here referred to as being "ridiculous" is a representation of the backwards theme in the film. Hummingbirds are the only animal which can fly backwards. Relevance. - Quiet character does not equal boring character. Learn to observe. - Button is anything BUT unthankful and a coward. He epitomises somebody who accepts the hand they are dealt. i.e. "there's nothing wrong with old age". He leaves Daisy out of Caroline's best interests, not his own inability or fears about fathering a child. - Life is beautiful. The way people deal with it is unique. Button is one of billions of stories. That is a main theme in the film. - Button gets that in the end, being mad or holding on to what is unfair in life just isn't worth it. "You've just got to let it go."