Absolutely wonderful!

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2008)

A completely wonderful experience! Really, the best film experiences are the hardest to fully describe, and I'm having difficulty surmising into words just what an amazing film this is. As you have probably seen from the trailer, it's the story of a man who is born in his 80's and ages backwards. No medical explanation is attempted for this "unusual circumstance". Director Fincher perfectly captures the magical life of Button, and really the magic of life itself. I guess you could say it poses quite a few philosophical questions on death, life and love, but in no way is it pretentious or attention-grabbing. We are just encouraged to enjoy every experience. Brad Pitt is excellent in the title role; if he doesn't get an Academy Award nomination I will eat my hat. The next best performances come from Taraji P. Henson (as Benjamin's adoptive mother) and Tilda Swinson, as an English socialite who Button has an affair with. Unfortunately Cate Blanchett is terribly mannered and so self-important and actressy as Daisy, the great love of Benjamin's life. It's a wonderful romance, and I loved every bit of it, but Blanchett, especially in her early scenes as a sort of bohemian ballerina, lacks exactly what Pitt seems to emit effortlessly- being natural. Every bit of her performance seems so carefully studied. But I can't leave this review on a negative note, because it's such an amazing movie. A true testament as to how good this film is? It went for 2 hours, 40 minutes. I could easily have sat there for another two hours.