The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2008, ****, PG-13
Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett

By: Meredith A. Iager

Brad Pitt reunites with “Babel,” co-star Cate Blanchett in this new enticing flick, that I call, “Forrest Gump in reverse.” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” was actually written by Eric Roth, who adapted Winston Groom’s novel “Forrest Gump,” for the screen.

‘Button’ is a fantasy film about a person born a very old, not too cute baby, who grows younger and younger to a mature handsome middle age man, however he continues to grow younger and then smaller to the end of his life as an infant. Timing is everything and nothing lasts forever as they say and Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt, “Burn After Reading,” “Seven Years in Tibet,”) follows a path that is full of the human experience, but did it quite a bit differently then the rest of us.

This film is a timeless melodrama about life and a man who entered this world in reverse and made the most of the time. Many may find this film to be a long sit, at 2 hours 45 minutes, but it is one that movie aficionados will find it to be truly outstanding. With its drama, the overall life experience, and its points of humor to balance the film, it brings you a picture that spans an 80 plus year life, which was full and very human. You will enjoy watching the life of Benjamin Button and will likely enjoy watching over again from time to time to remind you we are all just trying to learn and experience what life has to offer and make the most of the time we have and the decisions that we make on the path we find.

While this film has a wide appeal I believe most people will enjoy this film and leave the theater more thoughtful then they were before they came. I also believe “Benjamin Button” is one of the best films of the recent holiday season and should be considered Oscar caliber material under numerous aspects of measure for an excellent film. It is a movie to remember and may very well become a classic.