Based on the short story by F Scott Fitzgerald about a man who grows young, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is with a doubt one of the best movies of these times. It is a magical story that would captivate any audience visually and emotionally, the movie is both magical and realistic, it has drama, action and even some comical remarks keeping the audience interested at all times. Many of my friends who watched the movie before me criticized it as being another Forest Gump, but I have to tell them that although there are certain similarities in the story, the way real historic events are linked with fiction, and of course in its message, there is something in Benjamin’s story that set it apart. The movie moves the audience to a more pleasant and comfortable places, since there is less tragedies and each phase of Benjamin’s story is more adventurous, enjoyable, and in a sense it is not centered in just one love story, unlike Forest’s story that has more dramatic scenes, and is more centered within one relationship. and of course visually, Benjamin’s surpasses it.
There is no need to say that the cast is fabulous in this movie, all of them performed in a level that elevated this movie’s quality even more. I was impress specially with brad Pitts’ performance, not because I had any doubt of his talent, but because for what I remember right now, this character goes way out of line of what Brad has gotten us used to. it is one of his best “serious” performance, and he just deliver it fantastically, seen him as an old man with a mentality of a young one is just fun and impressive, and as he gets younger he also evolves with his character, it is truly an Oscar worthy performance, and Cate Blanchett was the perfect complement for the main character, the beautiful actress delivers an outstanding performance as Daisy, people can feel her emotions and frustration as she goes through as she see his loved one getting younger and herself getting older. The rest of the cast would also be unforgettable like the remarkable performances of Traraji P Henson as Queeny, she surely embraced her character, her emotions, way of talked and acted are a pure reflection of what a real mother should be, or the skilful performance of Jared Harris and his unforgettable Captain Mike, which added some humor and joy to the movie, in general all of them did an spectacular job, it is one of the most impressive performance I ever seen.
These great performances are of course backed up by the script, the soundtrack and also the visual effects. This is without a doubt one of the highest points of this movie, each scene has been carefully improved not only to look good, but to feel good, as the movie advances I could not find one scene that was not necessary or did not added something to the story, or for it to look out of place, everything looked possible and ordinary. And of course Pitt’s make up was amazing all through out the movie, he appears the age he is portraying at any time, not only when he is a decrepit old man, but also as he goes trough all the other ages, and even when he is shown as a teenager he looked like one. Same thing with Cate’s and the rest of the supporting cast Make up , as they get older none of the make up seen overdue and everything seem very natural. There is no arguing why this movie won an Oscar in these categories (Best Make up and Visual effects).
Director David Fincher hit a hole, or a touchdown, or what ever sport you like with this one, the move is just exceptional, he created a perfect story where time and space interaction is not so linearly, each second of the movie provides with a wonderful and incredible story that would not let us go to the very end. This movie not only entertained us, but it also gives us a unique vision of life, and how to enjoy it no matter what, Benjamin, being “Born under certain circumstances” never gives up in his search of happiness, keeping always a good attitude and putting aside his differences is a message that everybody no matter how old they are should get from this movie. I recommend this movie to any one. It is just one of those movies that has to be in any collection no matter what type of movie you liked, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is bound to become a classic that would overcome time.
Review By Milo
Release Date: May 5, 2009
BLU-RAY DETAILS
OWN DVD
