Novel Idea, slow winding Narrative with Decent Acting

Rating: 7/10 (14 February 2009)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button runs an overlong 167 min and unfortunately starts to feel it's runtime in effect losing pull towards the end, but the pacing and storyline for the 1st half of the movie are still very-good. Around the 2/3 point though there aren't too many questions left unanswered and the story has the hasty additions of characters and acceleration of time. The humor is here and there, but vacant mostly when Benjamin grows into middle age. The best performance by far is by Taraji P Henson as Benjamin's surrogate mother who stands head-and-shoulders above most of the cast including the leads. Brad Pitt's character is mostly aloof and unemotional, but self effacing in a way similar to Tom Hanks Forrest Gump. The love story mostly feels obligatory but has some interesting moments such as some of the later dialog. Cate Blanchett does a good job, bringing in a bit more emotions. Early scenes within the care-home and during Benjamin's first 20 years were much more interesting making it overall a solid outing with high marks for the novelty and performances. Music too is sometimes very good and moody fitting well.