Forrest Gump - But Not Quite as Good

Rating: 7/10 (2 September 2019)

Picture this: a young Southern boy who is in some way born different grows up to be a man who - despite his handicap - is able to provide a unique perspective into the world around him. He meets the love of his life at a young age and together they witness many of the most gripping events of the 20th century. When their relationship doesn't work our hero spend time on a boat, goes to war, and travels across the country searching for himself. By the film's end the audience has learned important life lessons about love, loss, and basic human decency.
You might think I'm describing "Forrest Gump," an Eric Roth tale that swept the 1995 Academy Awards and remains an American cultural icon. I'm actually talking about "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," another movie written by Eric Roth that seemed to be aiming for the same sweetness that made "Forrest Gump" a hit. "Benjamin Button" is darker and arguably more mature than "Gump," a film with almost the exact same story and themes. It also has better performances, superior direction, and a more subtle execution. But "Benjamin Button" is an overly long, less personal, and sometimes muddled film that lacks the simple charm that made "Forrest Gump" a classic.
David Fincher is a visionary filmmaker and the aesthetic quality of "Benjamin Button" is outstanding: beautiful cinematography, fantastic visual effects, and powerful performances show Fincher at the top of his game. Brad Pitt makes for a sympathetic hero, and Cate Blanchett gives her character a striking depth and complexity that elevates the story. Even the supporting cast, in particular Taraji P. Henson and Mahershala Ali, are all outstanding.
I have nothing but praise for the technical aspects of the film: but these things can only carry a movie so far. It's ultimately the screenplay that makes or breaks a movie. "Benjamin Button" is a well-written film with identifiable characters and a few very moving scenes. But the story is obviously derivative of "Forrest Gump," which although imperfect is at least sharp enough to captivate the audience with its sweeping scope and old-fashioned feel. By contrast "Benjamin Button" feels uninspired, with the most interesting elements originating from the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story the movie was based on.
Further, the movie is overly long with too many characters and a needless voiceover that's practically identical to Tom Hanks' narration in "Forrest Gump." Forty minutes into the film, Pitt's countless introductions of side characters - most of whom add nothing to the plot - become tiresome. In fact a good half hour of "Benjamin Button" could've been cut to the film's benefit.
Would I recommend "Benjamin Button"? Yes - but only just. It has a wonderful premise and the film is beautifully made by a master filmmaker. It also has some arresting visuals and touching moments that make for satisfying entertainment. But it's also an inferior retelling of "Forrest Gump" that stretches a nearly three hour running time well past its limits. 7/10.