The Curious Case of Benjamin Button **** (2008, Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas) – Classic Movie Review 589

‘I was born under unusual circumstances.’

Weird and wonderful – or crashing bore? Director David Fincher’s 2008 movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is perhaps all three.

Brad Pitt lands a dream role as Benjamin Button, a man born old and who starts ageing backwards, in this gorgeously arty, often adorable heartwarmer that was nominated for 13 Oscars and won three (for Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup).

The story is revealed by the love of his life, Daisy – Cate Blanchett – now ancient herself – from her dying hospital bed to her daughter Caroline (Julia Ormond), who reads aloud Mr Button’s diary. Director David Fincher, Pitt’s director on Se7en and Fight Club, turns in the most amazing looking film – perhaps ever!

Art direction, costumes, makeup, visual effects and cinematography are awe-inspiring and, for once, this isn’t just a dutiful nod in the direction of the clever technical boys. The movie is a true artwork that deserves a place in the Tate Modern. Art can be boring sometimes, right?

Pitt and Blanchett are perfect, while Ormond, Tilda Swinton as Button’s first lover and Jason Flemyng as Button’s dad make their moments count. Against that, the film is so slow running and darned long. At 166 minutes you really feel that it is at least a full three hours, which is funny because it is based on a short story by F Scott Fitzgerald. Also, some of us would like an explanation for the ageing backwards thing and a bit more pace and excitement, as well as a few laughs.

But for those who love to luxuriate in a Gone With the Wind meets Forrest Gump-type wallow, this is the bee’s knees. If the whole movie seems constructed around the moment when the 45-year-old Brad Pitt looks 20 again, thanks to a makeup and CGI miracle, then why not?

The three Oscars were for Best Art Direction to art director Donald Graham Burt and set decorator Victor J Zolfo; Best Visual Effects to Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron; and Best Makeup to Greg Cannom.

Eric Roth wrote the screenplay and the original screen story (with Robin Swicord), based on the short story by F Scott Fitzgerald.

The main cast are Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas. Faune Chambers, Donna Duplantier. Jacob Tolano, Ed Metzger, Joeanna Sayler, Taraji P Henson, Mahershala Ali, Fiona Hale, Patrick Thomas O’Brien, Marion Zinser, Peter Badalamenti, Danny Nelson, Paula Gray Lance E Nichols, Rampai Mohadi, Phyllis Somerville, Elle Fanning, Edith Ivey, Jared Harris and Ted Manson.

Made by Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures and The Kennedy/Marshall Company, it cost a fortune – $150,000,000 –  but did very well at the box office, taking $127,509,326 in the US, along with $333,932,083 worldwide.

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© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 589 derekwinnert.com

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