Beautifully Enchanting Epic

Rating: 9/10 (1 January 2009)

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' is, in every sense of the word, a devastatingly beautiful epic. Inspired by the F. Scott Fitzgerald story and brought to life by the masterful David Fincher, this majestic tale of a man who travels through life aging backwards strikes a special note. With a hint of wonderment and magic, 'Benjamin Button' quietly becomes one of the year's best films. A bizarre but entrancing look at life, death, and everything in between.
The beauty of 'Benjamin Button' is far-reaching. Technically, it's practically flawless. Fincher has constructed a film so visually arresting and aesthetically pleasing. The film leaps from the screen like a vivid, colorful dream. It takes us on a journey through time, understood through the eyes of a man who was born under rather extraordinary circumstances. Despite his curious nature, Benjamin is not a hero. His uniqueness does not offer any groundbreaking insights into the gift of life. He is, like you and me, an imperfect being. Living life the best way he knows how, head-on. Quite literally, actually.
Though the film tops nearly three hours, 'Benjamin Button' feels anything but. Though it builds gradually, Fincher's ability to tell a story is like few others. With an excellent pace, this sprawling ode to life will captivate you even if you have to sit in the very front row of a sold-out theater. Glued to your seat, you'll simply stare in wonder at this beautiful picture. As it progresses, the life of Benjamin Button sweeps us off our feet as we follow him around the world. Never staying anywhere for too long, but always touched by individuals walking - sometimes swimming - on their own path of life.
If there's one aspect of 'Benjamin Button' that keeps it from being a heartfelt masterpiece, it's that it does come off cold and distant at times. It's hard to say why, but it's as if we're only allowed to watch at arm's length. It may just be that Fincher has never dared to tackle a film of this magnitude. Like so many, he may still be learning. But one thing is certain, the film never manages to be anything less than richly enchanting and wonderfully told. Adapted for the screen by Eric Roth, 'Button' never falls victim to melodrama, which may have very well rendered this picture as one hot mess. And if you find the resemblance to 'Forest Gump' striking, Roth also wrote the script for that sprawling journey, but remember that Fitzgerald penned his short story back in 1921.
Every performance found here is, of course, fantastic. Brad Pitt delivers one of the best performances of the career, a challenging and thought-provoking role. His transformation throughout the film is so well-done and convincing. Cate Blanchett is beautifully cast, and though her character is not always likable, her involvement benefits the film greatly. The performance, however, doesn't come from either of these two leads. Taraji P. Henson, who plays the woman who raises Benjamin as his own, delivers a strikingly passionate performance that's profoundly touching.
Ultimately, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' comes full circle to transcend convention and rises as a lyrical celebration of life. It leaves us with a touching and - finally - emotional exitlude. It affirms imperfect nature of us all, the individual quirks that make us who we are. It confronts death, not as the enemy, but so we appreciate how important those people were to us. We're told that it's never too late to be who we were meant to be. If we're not happy, start over. If we fail, try again. Life is what you make of it, the choices you make and what you choose to do with the time that's been given. Live with no regrets, and embrace the magic and of it all.
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