an intriguing setup but too broad and too long

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2009)

From director David Fincher comes this tale of a man born under an unusual set of circumstances. Pitt is Benjamin Button, a man born old who ages backwards and has the difficult task of trying to live a normal life despite his bizarre and inexplicable predicament. Beginning in the early 1920s the story focuses primarily on his relationship with Daisy (Blanchett), and how they attempt to maintain their love despite the tumultuously changing times and their inevitable age difference. Director Fincher (who seems to be taking a page from Robert Zemeckis) creates a world all its own with striking cinematography, breathtaking visual effects, and unforgettable characters, but it goes on too long and doesn't seem to exist for any reason other than playing the gimmick of a man who ages in reverse for all it's worth. Pitt is good, though his performance is drowned out by the scope of complex makeup effects, Blanchett is adequate, meanwhile Henson is fabulous as the devout southern woman who "adopts" and comes to love Benjamin as her own. Some touching moments, as well as some funny ones, but they'd be more effective with a shorter running time. **½