If movies are stories meant to take us on a journey, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is one that enchants us with a unique perspective on the mystery of human life.
With a story that utilizes over two and a half hours and a seamless blend of makeup and visual effects, “Benjamin Button” is the life story of a man who ages in reverse. Born as a tiny old man with crippled bones, Brad Pitt portrays Benjamin Button, who instead of growing older with time, gets physically younger. You might imagine that his views on life are much different from ours, when in fact they’re mostly the same.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a film about human life in its various forms, shapes, sizes, lengths and colors. With its unique main character and a wondrous performer, we are able to see life as something that is not associated with time or other physical variables. It proves that life is better understood through the love, hardship and joy it brings to us each day.
Inevitably, there is so much an audience can take away from a story like this. As a film that spans through life and death, “Benjamin Button” applies to nearly every age of life, bringing us closer to understanding our own. As time goes by in our own lives, this film is sure to remain an important tale. Assuming you’re willing to withstand its overlong runtime, the story could take on new meaning throughout repeated viewings.
Depicted from a screenplay by “Forrest Gump” screenwriter, Eric Roth, “Benjamin” is similar in its spanning of decades and historical references. How it stands alone is through its unique representation of significant events. We have learned so much about human life through movies that nearly every moment of history has been preserved through their magic. It’s stories like “Benjamin Button” that can touch every aspect of a person’s life with a message that’s not only timeless, but truly influential as well.
Letter Grade: A-
Rated PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking.
Runtime: 166 min
Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond and Jason Flemyng
Directed by David Fincher
