A different movie from Fincher.

Rating: 9/10 (10 January 2009)

This is indeed, a very different screen experience, as many of us had been through a big popcorn year. Actually, this film deserved positive reviews. That's how good it is. First class director, first-class actors plus the beautiful cinematographic and music. Some movies are meant to be appreciated, and this is indeed one of those few.
I'd like to share some thoughts I got from watching the film. For example, later stages of life can be hard, either being an old man or a baby, and it's always lucky to have someone with love around you. I don't watch this film to persuade people into its logic and fantasy. I hope that one can simply appreciate life more after watching this, just like me. Some other thoughts also came to my mind after watching it, that some beauty can't be derived from life, but can only be buried with love. That might be why Benjamin escaped his own parental responsibility. He just knew he'd have to die in a way nobody could take. He didn't even reach for Daisy's help when he's becoming incapable. There are more inspirations from a single viewing of the film. I can't imagine what I can get with more viewings.
Talking about performance. I think Cate Blanchett just delivered again. Her change through the whole movie was so nature, comparing to Brad Bitt. She just didn't waste any single second on the screen. Seeing her dancing as well as seeing her cry at Benjamin were totally satisfying. On the other side, Brad Bitt's performance was more alike a statue, an eye candy for the audiences. This is not saying that Brad didn't deliver, but he was constantly covered by Blanchett.
David Fincher had been directing dark films all these years, many of which being my favorite. He apparently took a big step into the poetic filming, rather than making darker films. This might be a good sign for all of us. In the film, we saw human forgiving another human, a person reading another person's life, and so much more...
9/10 It's straight-forwardly heartbreaking towards the end, but still a masterpiece.