Good movie, Reminiscent of other dramas

Rating: 7/10 (27 July 2017)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a well-acted, well-shot and well-scored film. David Fincher's direction, from shot composition to tone decisions echo his films Zodiac, Fight Club, etc. without carrying the same darkness. Pitt, Blanchett and Henson all do well in their roles with support from, among others, a pre-Oscar Mahershala Ali. A main knock against the film is a story line, although based on an original short story, that is a bit too derivative of other emotional dramas (think Forrest Gump in particular). Parts seems a bit too contrived, taking you out of an generally emotionally engaging plot; as an example see a shot so awkwardly set up during an emotive moment that can serve as a distraction. Overall, this is a thoroughly enjoyable movie that should induce some contemplation of the inevitability of time, but takes this potentially profound subject and, mostly, sticks to the familiar.