not perfect but still an amazing film

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2009)

I thought that this film was a wonderful experience. David Fincher's eye for detail and ability to (almost) seamlessly blend computer imagery with live action added a realistic feel to the time periods used. Subtle bits of humour throughout the serious story also helped the time pass by without dragging (did i tell you i've been struck by lightning 7 times?). Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett's performances were sensational along with the rest of the cast. Quibbles are small... but lessen what should have been a perfect film (spoilers ahead but, hopefully still vague enough not to ruin plot points). I don't understand why, in reading the diary, Daisy's daughter reads of her mother's (then) pregnancy but doesn't react immediately (like... was that me? or.. did i have a sibling?). it's several passages before she realises that the child of the pregnancy was her... and then the reading changes from being third person to second (for a while). the hummingbird was beautiful after appearing at a sea death but when Benjamin finally gets old (young) and dies it appears again... like a watchful spirit perhaps? if so, why is it the only watchful spirit? he had several deep relationships and those characters should also have appeared in some form or another. The dubbing of Elle fanning's daisy was almost as obvious as Glenn close dubbing Andy McDowell in Greystoke. But, as i said... minor quibbles. The film is fantastic and should be seen by all!