A Touching Must See. Superb Visual Effects!!

Rating: Null/10 (18 September 2011)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film stars Brad Pitt as the title character Benjamin Button, Cate Blanchett is Daisy Fuller, the leading lady and love interest of Benjamin, and Taraji P. Henson, surrogate mother to Benjamin. This film is directed by David Fincher. The film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is about a boy who is born old, and grows younger instead of older as time passes. It is a coming of age in reverse. Benjamin's experience through life is much different than what everyone is used to. Benjamin is abandoned by his parents because of his unusual condition is taken in by a black women named Queenie, who loves and cherishes him as her own, in spite of his unusual condition. He spends his childhood at a senior citizen home. The filmmakers choose the technique irony of setting by having the young boy in the old man's body live in a senior citizens home. The seniors don't mind his company; he's fits in with them and their lifestyles. His changes when one of the tenants has her granddaughter visit for the weekend. This is where Daisy, a very pretty, precocious, redhead little girl enters the story. Daisy and Benjamin instantly connect. Daisy later becomes the love of his life. Benjamin is subjected to things as an old man. He learns of death and mourning from the senior citizen home. Benjamin drinks under age and experiences sex with prostitutes whenever he chooses. As Benjamin grows younger, his intense curiosity propels his sense for adventure. One day after meeting a sailor who is looking for an extra hand on ship, Benjamin is quickly decides to join him eventually finding himself in World War II. Through these experiences is where Benjamin learns the true meaning of life. Over the years his curiosity takes him many places in life. As Benjamin grows younger, everyone around him grows older, but his heart and soul remain humble. The theme of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is about unconditional love despite the curious life lived by a young man. Benjamin experiences through life shape his understanding of himself and the world surrounding him. The narrative from Brad Pitt along with flashback scenes places the viewer into the world of Benjamin. This film is shot from the subjective point of view, so the viewer feels like a silent observer watching events. The cinematography techniques used are transitions from one scene to the next, which make the film flow seamlessly. The film grade is sepia colored, with a muted color palette that allows the viewer to focus on the story more than the background. The costumes and make-up used does a good job of portraying the passage of time and emphasizes the time period for the film. The film is long; almost three hours, but the story is so compelling, you do not realize how long. I would recommend this film to anyone who likes a good love story. The love story in this film is not only about romance, but about unconditional love and acceptance. This theme of this movie will appeal to viewers young and old. The compassion by Taraji P. Henson is enough reason to view this film itself. If that theme, visual effects, and superb acting is not enough, the handsomeness of Brad Pitt will definitely win female viewers over.