Many romance/drama movies attempt to establish some sort of common ground between the protagonist and the audience.B One of the things that makes the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” so interesting is that you may come to feel forB the protagonist, despite not being at all able to identify with the challenges he faces.
Directed by David Fincher and adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of the same name, the movie follows the life of a man born in reverse. This means that he is born as an old man and progressively grows younger.
Brad Pitt plays Benjamin ,and Cate Blanchett plays Daisy, the woman Benjamin loves through the decades.
Rather than identifying with the protagonist, the viewer roots for him to overcome his problems and lead a happy life. The notion that he is so different and that no one can relate to him adds weight and dimension to his character whereas under normal circumstances his problems would appear puzzling if not incomprehensible. Pitt delivers his lines so carefully and with such a wistful tone that the viewer feels a pang of affection anytime he opens his mouth.
As most of the story is told from a diary perspective, the director included space for additional thought incorporated into many of the scenes.B
For instance, one moment in the story that decides a path for one of the characters is well narrated by Benjamin who comments that one slight difference in any of the events leading up to that moment would have changed it altogether.B Thus, Fincher is better able to add insight into Benjamin’s emotions and thoughts, providing a richer experience for the audience as the story unfolds.
While “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” makes for a great story, you had better clear your schedule ahead of time.B Clocking in at 166 minutes, restlessness begins to settle in.B One must have great patience to avoid letting the length of the movie skew its value.
Excellent presentation, deep characters and the recycling of an older concept make “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” a film worth watching.B Pitt, Blanchett and the rest of the cast interact well with one another onscreen.B
As we get closer and closer to the Academy Awards remember this: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was nominated in several categories for good reasons.
