One of the year's best films; a journey into the human spirit led by career highs for Pitt & Fincher

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2009)

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (2008) **** Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng, Jared Harris, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Elias Koteas, Phyllis Somerville, Elle Fanning. Remarkable adaptation loosely based on F.Scott Fitzgerald's short story about a man born old and aging in reverse  becoming younger  is given gravitas and dignity thanks to the surprisingly adult direction by David Fincher and splendid lead performance by Pitt (both arguably career bests and Oscar worthy). Eric Roth and Robin Swicord's screenplay is full of rich characters and touching bravado that echoes "Forrest Gump" in many ways, not the least of which Roth also wrote the adaptation of. Excellent acting by Blanchett as Pitt's star-crossed lover and Henson as his adoptive mother. But the truly impressive feat is by the visual effects crew super-imposing Pitt on other actors in different stages of Button's regression through the decades in a seamless matter. Kudos to Greg Cannom's make-up crew for an amazing job for both Pitt and Blanchett. One of the year's very best films.