enjoyable schmaltz

Rating: 8/10 (5 January 2009)

I saw this film at a premier on Friday and although it was 3 hours long I enjoyed it immensely. The premise of the story is of course unbelievable but the way Fincher carries it off is so believable that one forgets. Both Pitt and Blanchett perform their roles to perfection and Tilda Swindon gave a wonderful performance as well. The cinematography is just what I expect from Fincher and altogether the film is very well done. If you go with reasonable expectations you will definitely get your money's worth. It will surprise me if the film doesn't win an Oscar for something. My only reservation is that Benjamin Button somehow does not really confront his handicap as would be expected from such a dire situation and the audience is not given any insight into his troubled psyche.