Criterion Blogathon – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

This post is part of the Criterion Blogathon being hosted by Criterion Blues, Speakeasy and Silver Screenings

Thanks for letting me participate!
“Our lives are defined by opportunities; even the ones we miss.” – Benjamin Button

Number of Times Seen – 4 (29 Dec 2008, Jan 2009, Jul 2009 and 17 Nov 2015)

Brief Synopsis – A man with a genetic defect which makes his look younger as he grows older tries to find his place in the world while also seeking love and acceptance.

My Take on it – This is a movie that gets a lot of flak because of its length, but any of you who knows me, knows that I don’t mind watching longer movies if the story warrants it and also if it helps us to get to know the characters better…. and this movie excels at those things.

Eric Roth, who also wrote Forrest Gump (1994) is the writer of this epic movie that tells a tale in such a fantastical way that we quite quickly begin to care for its characters and only want what is best for them.

The script is superb and is narrated perfectly in order for us to really get the full picture as to what the two main characters have endured throughout their entire lives.

It has a lot of similarities to Forrest Gump, but is still quite unique in its storytelling and in the way the characters develop as the story progresses.

Brad Pitt is amazing here as the title character and I believe that this is one of his best performances ever.  He plays the character perfectly.

I am always surprised at the beliveablity of the special effects in this movie which easily convinces us that Pitt is every age portrayed as opposed to seeing that he was digitally imprinted over the various other actors who stood in for the aged Benjamin Button.

I still wonder how they did it.

IT was nominated for 13 Oscars that year (the highest of any film) including Best Picture, but only managed to win 3; Visual Effects, Art Direction and Makeup.

In addition, 2008 was the final year where there were only 5 Best Picture nominees and of the 5, this, IMHO, was clearly the best of the crop.

I’m still baffled as to how Slumdog beat this movie… 😦

Bottom Line – Great story told in a great way. Excellent script that really makes us feel for and understand many of the characters and their actions. Pitt is amazing as the lead character. Unbelievable use of special effects that make us truly wonder how it was all done. I’m still baffled that the Academy chose Slumdog over this one…. Highly recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – The very day he learned of his Golden Globe nomination for this film, screenwriter Eric Roth also learned that his retirement fund had been wiped out by the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy