Benjamin Button – A Backwards Story With Heart
Imagine, if you will, it’s the end of World War I. Americans are celebrating all around the country, especially in the southern most region of Louisiana where the sounds of jazz flow out to the streets in the bustling French Quarter of New Orleans. It’s a happy time.
In all the celebration and chaos, a wife of a wealthy couple has just given birth to the most horrifying looking specimen straight out of a sci-fi alien movie. Before she passes away, she asks her husband to make one promise – that he will take good care of their son. What transpires after that exchange changes a life (and lives) forever.
My name is Benjamin Button, and I was born under unusual circumstances. While everyone else was agin’, I was getting younger…all alone.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was inspired by famed author F. Scott Fitzgerald’s (The Great Gatsby) short story under the same name. Starring Brad Pitt in probably his best role yet as the aging-in-reverse Button and Cate Blanchette as the love of his life, Daisy, it is the most interesting story of relationships and life that transcends a lifetime gone backwards.
Critically acclaimed, Button has been described as“an epic tale that contemplates the wonders of life –of birth and death and, most of all, love.” (Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter). Praised for its technological advances in storytelling (NY Times movie review) and its emotional impact (The Daily Variety) Button takes on story-telling from a whole new dimension. It’s riveting to the emotional soul and quiets the hearts of those who have experienced their own love and loss.
As an aspiring story-teller, I was curious. I wanted to see how the story of this man transpired. I wanted to see how the script writer brought to the big screen what F. Scott brings to his stories and I wasn’t disappointed. While the film is just over two hours in length, I still found myself fascinated by each story within the story being told. And, I found myself in tears at the end too. For me, it was a beautiful story that was well-written, expertly directed and acted. In other words, I felt like I was right there with Benjamin, Daisy, and Queenie (Benjamin’s adopted mother brilliantly portrayed by Tarji P. Henson from 2005’s Hustle and Flow).
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is up for 13 Academy Awards tomorrow night including for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Pitt), Best Supporting Actress (Henson), and Best Visual Effects – all nominations worthy of this film.
And I’ll be curious to see how many wins it receives too.
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/LisaSullivan as I count down to the Oscars beginning with the Red Carpet arrivals on E! Entertainment Television at 6pm tomorrow night.
I give this film -
Until next time, see YOU at the movies!
Lisa 
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Comments
This movie was surprisingly good…I did not have high hopes, as I thought it to be a ridiculous concept, but they made it work, …it is long, but it does seem to go by quick…I dont want to give anymore info away..just see..its good..
my grade..
B+
Wendee…let me know your thoughts after you see it. I’d be interested in your take too!
E…B+ is about right. I’d give it an A- but you reminded me to give it its “reels”. I need to go back and edit the post. Thanks!
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Great blog post – makes me want to see the movie!!