David Fincher again proves what an amazing director he is

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2008)

Based on the short story (of the same name) written in 1921 by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a unique and emotional journey through one man's rather different life. Benjamin (Brad Pitt) was born unlike any other child, with the physical features of an elderly man, and this causes his father to abandon him at a random doorstep. Luckily for Ben, he is taken in by Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) and raised in an home for the elderly. As he grows he witnesses the elderly around him pass on and meets many interesting people along the way, one of which changes him forever. Daisy (Cate Blanchett) meets Ben as a young girl and they strike up a friendship that spans their lifetimes. Even when they both part ways as she goes to a ballet school and he becomes a sailor, experiencing the world and its people.
David Fincher, along with two fine actors, Pitt and Blanchett, have made a epic unlike many others. This is not an epic like Lord of the Rings or Gone with the Wind, this is a human drama epic, following the life of one man and who he meets and loves. At 160 minutes in length, this truly is a film that will be remembered as a different style of epic. The film covers life, death, love, birth, war and loneliness, but by the films end it is obvious what the true message is. Life is about the moments, not the time, it is about what we do, our true passion and talent, as seen by a moving and poignant final montage. And on saying that, the movie is not overly sentimental, although it managed to jerk a few tears from this viewers eyes. I know that this was due to the touching relationship that Benjamin and Daisy have, and Fincher handles these scenes so beautifully that they cause many emotions to flow through the soul. But also interestingly, he handles death throughout the film not always so sad, as death is seen not in a negative light by Benjamin.
Eric Roth deserves mention for his wonderful screenplay, which blends comedy with a hint of war and drama. The characters are all rich and easy to care for as a result of their uniqueness and charm. Queenie, Ben's mother, is a sassy and devout woman who we can immediately like. Also, one of the elderly in the home provides some genuinely good laughs as a man who repeatedly tells the story of how he was struck by lightning seven times, and as he recalls the times he was struck, quick old fashioned film footage shows us how it happened. Fincher's direction is sure to get nominated for awards, as are the screenplay and acting and they all deserve them.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a magical journey that feels shorter than it is, and is one of the best mainstream films of the past decade. 5/5