The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
By Marshall Fine
Rating:
Who's in it: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett
What's it about: In this sweeping romance, Benjamin Button (Pitt) is born as an old man and grows younger as his life goes on.
Round trip: This movie probably runs longer (2:45) than it would take you to read F. Scott Fitzgerald's original short story. But it never feels long because director David Fincher has created an achingly romantic story that covers much of the 20th century through the eyes of Benjamin. Even as it shows his adventures, it also looks at his lifelong romance with Daisy (Blanchett), who he meets as a young girl and loves into old age. It's hard to remember a movie that did so much with so little; you'd have a hard time digging big ideas out of it, aside from its focus on the slow-burning nature of love. But the emotions - and the images - pull you along and it never drags. Pitt gives a subtle but touching performance, going from old age to golden youth with great skill. Blanchett is equally good as his gorgeous object of desire, the moth constantly attracted to his steady flame.
Long story short: You won't want it to end.
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