Fascinating but not the most compelling

Rating: 6/10 (7 May 2014)

On her death bed, Daisy (Cate Blanchett) recounts the story of blind clockmaker Mr Gateau to her daughter Caroline (Julia Ormond). In 1918, Mr Gateau made the train station clock that runs backwards to commemorate his son as well as countless other lost in the great war. Daisy asks Caroline to read the diary of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt). He was born on the night when WWI ended. His mother died in childbirth. He was born horribly old and his father almost threw him into the waters. He is left on the doorstep of Miss Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) who ran an old age home. As he ages, he appears younger and younger.
Director David Fincher has created a fable. It's darn interesting, but I can't say it's a compelling watch. It's fascinating without being exciting. It has very little tension or suspense. The workmanship is excellent, but the slow pace really tests anybody's endurance. It's a marvel of technology to see Brad Pitt in BB's every incarnation. But it takes too long to get to the heart of the movie which is the romance with Daisy. Also the age difference in their appearance make the romance kind of awkward. I think it would be better for them to meet at a later date, and start the movie then. The movie is basically one big flashback. I think the movie should flashback to his childhood only as needed. Take away the reverse aging, this is a movie about a long winding life. It's a little too long and too winding for my taste.