A magical 2008 fairytale (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (DVD))

Member Name: MonsoonBaby

Product:	The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (DVD)
Date:	12/08/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Impressive makeup, heart warming story and excellent acting.

Disadvantages: A little too long in places.

Every now and then a heart warming story with great acting, makeup, special effects and score comes along that gets the Oscar buzz, such as Forrest Gump. 2008 presents this again with The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.

Based on a 1922 short story by F Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows the unique life of Benjamin Button, a man who is, rather bizarrely, aging backwards.

This curious case is told with much affection and sympathy whilst always being melancoly. As Benjamin grows younger, those around him are growing older. Characters are constantly being introduced, with others disappearing. Benjamin's relationships are constantly growing stronger, then growing weaker. Years past, and we as an audience see Benjamin experience different time periods in America. As the film progresses, the loneliness and detachment of Benjamin's life is greatly increased, giving a great amount of sympathy.

The makeup is indeed impressive. Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button is still clearly recognisable underneath the makeup, and we as an audience are able to see him at all stages of his life. Seeing Pitt as an elderly Button is remarkable.

In order to make the story enjoyable for the audience, good acting is needed. Luckily, the acting is excellent. Brad Pitt breezes through as Benjamin Button endearingly. Button's love interest "Daisy", played by Cate Blanchlett, is just as entertaining as Pitt. She manages to convince the audience that she is deeply in love with Benjamin Button, whilst trying to come to terms with the fact that one day she will soon lose the love of her life as he increasingly gets younger and younger.

Overall, Benjamin Button is unique and capitivating, even if at times it felt a little overlong. It manages to convey sentimentality, whilst showing charm and small comedic moments thrown in to lighten what would have been an overly sad story. The makeup and special effects is perhaps the best thing about the film, and definitely deserved the oscar nominations.

Summary: A heartwarming, sentimental tale of the tragic Benjamin Button.