Plot
Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.
Release Year: 2008
Rating: 7.9/10 (205,149 voted)
Critic's Score: 70/100
Director:
David Fincher
Stars: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton
Storyline On the day that Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, elderly Daisy Williams (nee Fuller) is on her deathbed in a New Orleans hospital. At her side is her adult daughter, Caroline. Daisy asks Caroline to read to her aloud the diary of Daisy's lifelong friend, Benjamin Button. Benjamin's diary recounts his entire extraordinary life, the primary unusual aspect of which was his aging backwards, being diagnosed with several aging diseases at birth and thus given little chance of survival, but who does survive and gets younger with time. Abandoned by his biological father, Thomas Button, after Benjamin's biological mother died in childbirth, Benjamin was raised by Queenie, a black woman and caregiver at a seniors home. Daisy's grandmother was a resident at that home, which is where she first met Benjamin. Although separated through the years, Daisy and Benjamin remain in contact throughout their lives...
Writers: Eric Roth, Eric Roth
Cast: Cate Blanchett
-
Daisy
Brad Pitt
-
Benjamin Button
Julia Ormond
-
Caroline
Faune A. Chambers
-
Dorothy Baker
(as Faune Chambers)
Elias Koteas
-
Monsieur Gateau
Donna Duplantier
-
Blanche Devereux
Jacob Tolano
-
Martin Gateau
(as Jacob Wood)
Earl Maddox
-
Man at Train Station
Ed Metzger
-
Teddy Roosevelt
Jason Flemyng
-
Thomas Button
Danny Vinson
-
Priest Giving Last Rites
David Jensen
-
Doctor at Benjamin's Birth
Joeanna Sayler
-
Caroline Button
Taraji P. Henson
-
Queenie
Mahershala Ali
-
Tizzy
(as Mahershalalhashbaz Ali)
Opening Weekend: $26,853,816
(USA)
(28 December 2008)
(2988 Screens)
Gross: $329,809,326
(Worldwide)
(5 April 2009)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The rights of the story was first bought by Ray Stark, back in the late 70s, with Jack Nicholson to star as Benjamin. Later, the film rights were bought by Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall under the Amblin banner. When Kennedy and Marshall left to start their own production company, they also took the rights along and only started developing the movie in 1994. David Fincher admitted that he never read the source short story. He only read the 240-page script that Eric Roth wrote. His agent, who brought the script to Fincher's attention was a former assistant of Stark. His resolve to make the film came evidently after the death of his father in 2002.
Goofs:
Anachronisms:
In 1945, Benjamin goes to dinner with Daisy, and the man who lights her cigarette uses a slim Zippo, which weren't in production until around the early-mid 50s.
Quotes:
[first lines]
Daisy:
What are you looking at, Caroline? Caroline:
The wind, mom.
[yawns]
Caroline:
They say the hurricane is coming.
User Review
An Astonishing Rarity
Rating: 10/10
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a film unlike any I've ever seen
and probably ever will. A true epic that left me utterly speechless. It
accomplished so much through such simplicity. Everything was top notch
from the elegant directing to the subtly wonderful performances down to
the magical score. The film demands you to feel not only for the death
we witness, but for the incredible life we discover. It prays on the
obvious morality issues we all deal with but also dangles the idea in
front of us that everyone goes through the same joys and grievances,
just not in the same way. This is a momentous tale that deserves
nothing less than the title of brilliance.
This visually and emotionally rich movie recalls the life of a very
peculiar man born in the early 20th century who ages backwards. His
tale unfolds through a diary read by the daughter of his love, Daisy.
Throughout life he goes through the same things we do, growing up and
eventually growing old. He's a thoughtful observer, discovering life
from all different angles. But it is not his life that makes him
unique. His love is what makes him special. He spends a lifetime trying
to understand how his love for Daisy works and still only gets a few
incredible years really loving her. As their lives tell us, the years
of frustration and hardship are all worth it if only for a few moments
of happiness.
The direction in the film is almost flawless. Hopefully, Benjamin
Button will garner David Fincher the recognition he deserves. He winds
this clock so well and with such grace that the movie has this
undeniable flow that is enjoyable from start to finish. At nearly 3
hours, there is not a minute wasted. Every shot is jaw dropping and
while some will find issue with the time, it is used wisely.
The acting is also a thing of wonder. This is by far Brad Pitt's best
performance. He is so believable and realistic throughout. His nuances
are spot on and despite the heavy use of make-up and CGI used to
portray his character, it is Pitt who makes Benjamin that much more
curious.
I left the theater astonished that some one could review this movie
badly. It is an extremely graceful depiction of life, love, and the
things we lose. After so much anticipation I was certainly not
disappointed. This movie is probably not for everyone though. It's not
your average drama that spoon feeds it's audience their emotions. It is
something of awe and astonishment, an absolute gem. What makes our
lives memorable are the moments we never seem to grasp long enough
before letting go. Life in itself is indeed very, very curious and
Benjamin Button is no less of a wonder.
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