The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [2008]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is proof enough that David Fincher and Brad Pitt make an excellent hunting pair. But, like me, if you were expecting a gritty and disturbing piece like their previous collaborations, Seven and Fight Club, you’ll be left a tad disappointed. That, of course, is in no way an opinion about the movie per se – the visually sweeping love story of a man who ages in reverse, does attain epic and heart-warming proportions. At best, the movie is captivating with its unique subject matter and stunning special effects, but at worst, it does at times take the form of an effusively sentimental melodrama. What saves the movie from going overboard and ensures that it is watchable, is that despite never even being close to Fincher’s best work, its heart does appear to be at the right place. Moreover, the acting is first rate. Brad Pitt is especially note-worthy for his nuanced and moving portrayal of a man at odds with fellow members of his species. Hence, in short, Benjamin Button’s Forest Gump-like journey through contemporary American history is captivating in parts thanks to its technical virtuosity, but doesn’t really have the bite or brilliance to leave the kind of lasting impression that some of Fincher's earlier works have.





Director: David Fincher
Genre: Drama/Romantic Drama/Epic/Fantasy
Language: English
Country: US