One short phrase can probably sum this movie up here for me, but I have a feeling that it won't. The phrase is this: Best film I have seen in a long time.
Directed by David Fincher and based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the story chronicles the entire life of Benjamin Button, who is born an old man and ages backwards from there. The film makes no apologies and offers no explanations for this condition, but you somehow find yourself never wondering about the whys and hows. The direction and acting are mesmerizing, and from the start you are swept away into the story which is poignant and humorous; joyful and sad.
I was amazed by the textures and artistry of the sets and scenes, and though that was greatly due to the location of the story's setting (New Orleans, with some adventures abroad also thrown in), the cinematography was exquisite.
Benjamin Button is played by Brad Pitt, and with the help of some amazing make-up and nearly undetectable computer aid, he plays both a frail and elderly man, and a flawlessly youthful teen all in the same movie! Cate Blanchett's transformation in her role as Benjamin's friend and love interest, Daisy, is also very dramatic.
Benjamin's strange life seems to have also been frought with strange adventures, and for a time we follow him about on some Huck Finn-style forays into the world beyond his home, where he meets a seemingly endless array of odd characters. One cannot help but feel at least a little wanderlust while watching him learn as much as he does from these travels.
This is what I would call a fantasy movie , though it is not the classic definition of that genre. It is rated PG-13 and is a lengthy 166 minutes. It will be coming to DVD on 05/05/09, and is available for hold placement today, so be sure to get your name on the list!
- Dani
New Orleans was a place I always wanted to visit (where else do you find above-ground cemeteries, the best jazz, amazing food, tropical weather, and a fascinating history that is not locked away in museums and behind closed doors, but out in the streets so that you feel you are actually living it?) Well, this film finally caused me to say, "What am I waiting for?" and to actually go to this exotic and intriguing city.
ReplyDeleteIf you are in the same boat that I was, and are simply waiting for an excuse to go, then I advise you to do it now! (Not during summer, though, as we Wisconsinites may wither in their hot sun and 100% humidity). I hear that October is a very nice time to visit there.
None of the top tourist attractions suffered much damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but many other places vital to the city did. Your visit will help them rebuild and heal those damages, as well as provide you a wonderful time.
-Dani
There is no question as to why The Curious Case of Benjamin Button won Oscars for best Art, Makeup, and Visual Effects. However, my opinion differs greatly from Dani’s when it comes to this movie. I feel that this film was excessively long and drug terribly. The plot line was slow, the actors spoke slowly, and at 2 hours and 45 minutes, I did not find myself swept away in the story, but instead very aware of how much time was passing. As Dani pointed out, this movie was based upon F. Scott Fitzgerald’s SHORT story, (emphasis on the word short), and I believe that if F. Scott Fitzgerald could tell an incredibly fascinating and original tale in only so many pages, the writers and directors of this film could have as well.
ReplyDeleteThe film definitely had an intriguing plot, as it chronicled the life of a man and the people he met throughout his life, only backwards. I had wanted to see it because of its originality, and I do feel it was an original movie, but sadly it did not live up to my great expectations.
My advice would be to see it once; I feel it is worth suffering through the lengthy 2 hours and 45 minutes because this movie will be referenced and talked about in future years. However, I believe it’s one of those movies you only watch once. I know I will not want to see it again. The short story by the same title might also be worth a look. I know I am going to attempt to read it after seeing this movie.
-Lindsay