Charming and pretty as a postcard when Fincher goes Disney... but awfully conventional and bland!

Rating: 6/10 (31 January 2009)

Director Fincher almost goes Disney in this crowd-pleasing fairy tale, pretty as a postcard, of the life of the title character (Pitt), a man born in 1918 New Orleans with a most curious condition - he ages in reverse...
Charming, aiming-to-be-epic-(and for the Oscars), but awfully conventional picture considering its main idea (and yes, its "Forrest Gump"- comparisons are sometimes quite validated) whose flame burns most intensely in Button's tug-boat period and its moving final minutes, which leaves its main bulk - the love story with Blanchett - mostly bland, sentimental and protracted, which certainly can't be the purpose... and there's no reason for it to be as long as it is.
And albeit a fantasy - with a hero that never changes a facial expression, and characters who never ever question his condition - it never goes to the complex emotional depths it could have. If this is team Fincher/Pitt to come, I prefer them so much more when going hardcore a' la "Se7en" and "Fight club"! Very impressive special/make-up effects in Button's early years, though.
6 out of 10 from Ozjeppe