THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (David Finchers new and stunning film - being released on Christmas Day) is such an incredible movie on so many levels it deserves pages of praise and review, but unfortunately I suck as a writer will never do justice to this movie or the man behind it. At the very least maybe I can influence you to go see it for yourself. Even on Christmas Day when it releases! Believe me it is more than worth it.
Based in principal on the wonderful short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald of the same name it chronicles the life of Benjamin Button as he is born as a baby with the physical traits of an old and decrepit man and travels through his life as he ages in reverse. Featuring marvelous performances by the whole cast; led by Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett CCBB is a wonderful journey that I didn’t want to end. Drama, Romance, Laughter (exquisite comic timing by the way which is never talked about and one of Finchers many great strengths) and more than a few Tears. I cried so many times in this movie my makeup was completely ruined!
Look, there are so many critiques of this movie by people far better at writing than I will ever be (and by some critics more intent on appearing smarter than actually are) so I won’t bore you with my trying to be clever and writing prose that mean more to the writer than the reader. Just take my word for it.
This is a wonderful, wonderful movie deserving of every and any accolade. There will be those, of course, who refuse to recognize Fincher in his deserved manor. They will choose to make up for their prop 8 frustrations with “Milk” (as good as it may be) or their continuous need to kiss Clint Eastwood’s tuchus regardless of the actual film. If Fincher ends up as the next Scorcese, waiting decades for recognition too long deserving, I guess that could be cool…..but eff that!! This is a truly remarkable film. Ask my wife! She is ALWAYS right and Benjamin Button surpassed both Steel Magnolias and Titanic as her favorite-ever movie. Now how can you argue with that??? (my wife I mean not necessarily those movies.)
Please do yourselves a favor and go see this film. You wont regret it and even those hardened men who rather go see Valkerie on Christmas Day (I can tell you what happens in case you don't already know) are just afraid to see that Brad Pitt at 70 looks 10 times better than you did at 21! (alright so that was how I felt and one of the reasons I cried so much at times. He is Robert Redford and Steve McQueen rolled into one. Damn him!).
And by the way, Cate Blanchett should have received a Golden Globe nom. What is wrong with you people??? She won my heart, right after Brad Pitt won my body!!!
1 comment:
"Benjamin Buttons" is one of the best films I've ever seen. His life in reverse, arcing back against Kate's character, casts the story in high relief. It was David Fincher at his best. Brad Pitt at his best (wonderfully underplaying things, observing!) Makeup prosthetics at their best. VFX at their best... this movie might have a record amount of top level cgi shots that you wouldn't even know are vfx. In short, it was so well crafted, so well put together as to be the most perfectly seamless piece of filmmaking. (Continue on with spoiler warning...) One more note that I haven't seen mentioned, the sound mix is so well done, low - not overmixed, but simple. When the submarine battle hits, the sound mix lets that scene slam into you. Don't just go see it anywhere, pick a good theater like the ArcLight if you can. Its a must see on the big screen, with big SRS. A great story very well executed by all involved.
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