Decent

Rating: 6/10 (9 February 2009)

The idea of a boy aging backwards is as simple as genius. We are brought up saying that it is the aging that is the pain: so is growing. We also are taught that it is primarily the aging of the body we need to cope with as we grow old: this movie proves us wrong. Growing up mentally can be as hard as growing up physically. And growing "young" is apparently tied to as many consequences and sacrifices as growing old. The movie IS long, and more than once it becomes a problem as the scenes borderline on boredom. What gets you through, however, is the curiosity about the ending, which is not disappointing by any means. There are so many good movies out there and out of all the Oscar nominees this one would be my #2, right after Doubt, which I found far more captivating. The acting is great and that's obviously no surprise. Pitt gives a very good performance, but it's Blanchett who steals the moments with her mastered skills and stoic beauty. Even the smaller parts do not disappoint. Altogether it is a movie worth watching, as long as you're prepared and willing to lose interest in the story once or twice.