Epic storytelling falters slightly

Rating: 7/10 (5 May 2009)

From the beginning there has been much talk and anticipation surrounding The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The story of a man who is born with the qualities of an octogenarian, and who progressively grows younger, has all the makings of a classic nostalgia fantasy. The film's obviously large budget is masterfully used to create a visually rich tale. However, after all has been said and done, beautiful imagery is the high point of Benjamin Button. Director David Fincher is probably better known for his thrillers like Se7en and Fight Club, and in Benjamin Button he continues to prove how innovative a director he is. But with a budget of over US$150 million, it's easy to see how technique and design triumph over story and ideals. That's not to say the film isn't any good. The story, told in flashbacks, opens with a with a hospital scene in which an elderly woman, in her last few hours, asks her daughter to read the diary of Benjamin Button. The story of how Benjamin (Brad Pitt) came into being and the resulting life he leads follows. The journey is long and visually stunning. Benjamin's humble demeanour, as a result of his unusual circumstances, is believable and engaging. Pitt's Southern accent adds character and mood to this elegiac narrative. Daisy (Cate Blanchett) counterbalances the story by offering a straightforward walk through life. She is a prima donna in all the sense of the term and who brought down after an accident ends her dancing career. Taraji P. Henson stands out from these two Oscar winners as Queenie, Benjamin's "adoptive" mother. Her love for her son and his unfortunate situation adds warmth to the gloomy atmosphere of the retirement home. The cinematography wonderfully captures the era of the time and the characters that lived in it. From the retirement home to the docks and the sea to the bitter coldness of Russia and back again, the sets are remarkable and the period costumes are beautiful. All these parts work well individually but they fall short of working cohesively together. Not one particular aspect fails to step up to the hype but there is something lacking. Or maybe, for a 166 minute film, there is too much to keep the story moving smoothly. Benjamin Button is by no means mediocre but it just does not deliver to its full potential. Rating: 7/10