A Magical Epic

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2009)

It's no surprise that this movie came out during Oscar season. Everything about it just screams "Academy Awards." The rhythmic, but not too wordy, dialogue, the epic scale, the unfolding storyline, this one's got it all. I've criticized a few movies for being manufactured to be Oscar darlings. While I won't deny that that's probably what happened with "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," but this is much better because it doesn't SEEM like it.
"I was born under extraordinary circumstances..." Had this movie been a megahit (and perhaps it will, having been freed of the shadow cast by the indie-favorite Best Picture winner "Slumdog Millionaire"), these words would be as iconic as "I'm king of the world!" Still, that's the best place to start the description of the movie. It's also the best place to end it. This is one of those movies that's all about the premise, and what the filmmakers do with it. Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) was born an old man, and grows younger by the day. It's a fascinating premise, and the filmmakers do everything that can be done with it.
The acting is terrific. I've never been a Brad Pitt fan, and the tabloid obsession with him and Angelina Jolie makes me like him even less. But this has got to be his best performance. He's reflective, and ably portrays such an unusual character. There's no sense of showboating, or that he's "acting." We don't see Brad Pitt as Benjamin, we simply see Benjamin. Cate Blanchett is a goddess among actresses. Except for perhaps Meryl Streep, I can't think of anyone who can match her versatility. Therefore it is reasonable to expect that Blanchett would be terrific as Benjamin's lover Daisy, and Blanchett delivers. Taraji P. Henson is solid as Queenie, and while I wouldn't have been one to demand that she get nominated, I'm not going to complain. Tilda Swinton is underused as Elizabeth Abbott, the woman with whom Benjamin has his first fling, but it's not a very important part. A movie like this is filled with bit parts by unknowns. But for me, one of them really struck me. That is Jared Harris, who plays Captain Mike. While he may be a drunk, Captain Mike is really the one who teaches Benjamin the most about life. He's a likable character who really resonates with the viewer (not to mention Benjamin).
Acting aside, this film belongs to David Fincher. Known mainly for his visual style, Fincher has gradually become known for other aspects of directing. The tone changes throughout the film, but Fincher knows this. It goes from magical to dramatic to a conclusion with pathos. Fincher has complete control over it.
However, Fincher has not lost his ability to create awe-inspiring visuals. From the dream-like cinematography to the jaw-dropping visual effects (like the aging on the young Benjamin), they are amazing.
One thing of note is that Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett looped their voices over those of their younger counterparts (though the actors adjust their voices accordingly). It creates a distance between the movement of the mouth and the timing of the audio. Some people may think that this is a mistake, but I liked it. It creates an otherworldly feel to it.
Do yourself a favor, see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." You won't be disappointed.