Last night I was able to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It’s long (almost 3 hours). It’s slowly paced. It’s wonderful.
While I broke tradition and didn’t bawl (curses to you, Awakenings, Field of Dreams and AI!!), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button brought me close. Close in the way of realizing how precious and fleeting a life lived truly is, how the dreams and hopes of generations change, fade and– in many ways– become lost, the wonders of savoring every moment in life despite age and never abandoning the pursuit of dreams. It’s been years since I’ve seen a film so able to deeply stir emotions.
Of course, descriptions like those above sound cliched, but Benjamin Button delivers them in a way totally disassociated from anything of the sort. I’m having a hard time putting into words the melancholy, hope and humanity that saturates every frame of this film, but it’s there in spades– building until the very last frame before dropping you off at the haunting intersection of introspection and reflection.
Some may be put off by a few adult situations (albeit tastefully done– fade to black is back!), I can’t recommend this PG-13 film enough.
While the trailer navigates the film from beginning to end with a sense of Big Fish and Forrest Gump (which could draw a few comparisons), it doesn’t do Benjamin Button any justice. This film needs to be experienced.
I agree with you Dan. Every single “frame” of this movie is exquisite. Every word, the music, cinematography, acting, script, graphics and scenery … a movie to treasure. And the “peaceable” -ness of the film is extraordinary … fresh and satisfying. It touched my inner self with remembrances (from childhood?) of simpler, slower and richer feelings and reflections than I usually experience as an adult in the 21st century. And it reminded me that the fringe of our society (i.e. the old, very young, handicapped, poor, minorities, etc.) may very well be the most valuable part.
Benjamin Button was very Fincher-esque… almost as good as his other stuff if not for some nagging plot holes
Coffee– Button was indeed very Fincher-esque, but diverged a bit in that it was infused with a sense of optimism– or was it nostalgia?– that most of his other films from Alien 3 to Zodiac were missing. I guess you could argue it follows the same semi-bleak vein (forget it and move on), but subjectively I found the sentimental angle refreshing.