Intriguing Premise, But...

Rating: 8/10 (28 September 2009)

This movie is a visual feast. It is lush with the images of America in all its incarnations from the early 20th Century. I agree with Roger Ebert that the premise is also the thing that short circuits the film. Once Benjamin comes to realize what is happening to him, he now has to play by a set of rules that are not of his own making. All relationships of any substance are clouded by his fate. Even taking the premise about living in the here and now because we all eventually meet our end, doesn't help me. The sadness that hangs over the entire movie (which is awfully long for drama), with all of the implications of outliving virtually everyone, make it a hard sell.
Even with all of that, I thought there were wonderful performances by just about everyone. I am a great Brad Pitt fan and felt that he was masterful in his performance. I was pleased that the transitioning of his being wasn't accelerated. The gradual movement back to his youth is subtle and the make-up and special effects people are to be congratulated. They also integrate his mental acuity with his physical change. I could go on. I just believe that this is a good, engaging film, but it was doomed somewhat from the start.