Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Director: David Fincher
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Hendon, Tilda Swinton
Certificate: PG-13
Running Time: 165 mins

For years Brad Pitt has been the most famous actor on the planet - and yet the elusive credible-actor factor has been overshadowed by his looks.

This film gives Pitt the platform to showcase how good he can be - when surrounded by a talented cast and with a story that's both touching and original.

The story sees an elderly lady named Daisy (Blanchett) lying on her deathbed with her daughter Caroline (Julia Ormond) reading to her the journal of Benjamin Button. Set against the modern day event of Hurricane Katrina but mixed with flashbacks between WW1 all the way up to 2003 - we hear the narration of Benjamin's life.

Benjamin (Brad Pitt) - is an abandoned baby - taken in and raised at an old folks home. But he isn't just any baby - he is living life in reverse. Born with the physical attributes of a pensioner - his life progresses with the realisation that he is getting younger. It is a tale with interesting possibilities.

First impressions draw similarities to Forrest Gump. No - the lead isn't 'dumb' - but he is odd - and gently brings others into his life. Pitt plays Benjamin well enough - but it's hard to feel the warmth towards him that Gump induced. His face is expressionless - never really engaging the viewer.

Thankfully - Pitt has excellent support. Blanchett as Daisy - the love interest - is her consistent self - with a regal elegance. Benjamin develops feelings for her and has to deal with the opposing direction their lives take. Think once more - Forrest Gump - the girl that he never forgets no matter where he is. Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson plays Queenie - Benjamin's 'mother' - and her performance is heartfelt and honest. Yet again- think Gump - the supportive mama - stable and strong. Watch out also for Tilda Swinton - who puts in a brief but memorable appearance as an unsatisfied wife.

Fincher creates an intimate movie. The themes of love and loss are the core. It's sweet without being sickly. But on a more commendable level the script works well with the CGI visuals - combining to make a detailed romantic drama. It has all the gusto of an epic without ramming the story down your throat.

Impressively, for a film that centres around the importance of time - the near three hour run time doesn't ache the butt cheeks at all.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button may have been a tad over-hyped in terms of Oscar praise. It takes a while to get rolling and as mentioned before - is a little too Gump-esque. But it is a compelling and rewarding piece of cinema.

Rating: 7 out of 10