I'm sure many of you at some adolescent (or intoxicated) point have asked, "Dude, what if you, like, aged backward, you know, like, got younger instead of older?" Well, St. Paul's own literary hero F. Scott Fitzgerald answered that question well in his short story, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," that Paramount Pictures went ahead and made into a film.
Directed by David Fincher ("Fight Club," "Zodiac") and adapted by Eric Roth ("Munich," "Ali"), the film adaptation of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" loosely follows Fitzgerald's short story and is a metaphor for the body being a cage for the mind and spirit. Although not very subtle (the cage and clock motifs are reinforced a bit much), the diaristic film (it's told primarily through Button's own journal) is a pointed look into the spirit that drives life and the legacy one leaves behind through a man who is aging backward and has to find where he fits in the world. As Button says, "Some people get struck by lightning. Some are born to sit by a river. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim the English Channel. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people can dance."
It sounds a bit too serious, right? Wrong. The film has plenty of moments to make viewers laugh, thanks mostly to a funny yet sad old man named Mr. Daws played well by character actor Ted Manson.
Driving the film, however, are lush and genuine performances by a very talented cast. And I'm not talking about the obvious portrayal of the title character by Brad Pitt, whose acting consists of a knowing half-cocked smile that adorns his face most of the film. Already awarded Best Supporting Actress by the Austin Film Critics Association, Taraji P. Henson plays the part of Button's adoptive mother with passion and fervent soul. Cate Blanchett pivots from age to age, carefully emoting idiosyncrasies such as youthful exuberant ignorance and inspiring reflection.
Adding to the cast and writing is a wonderful score and the dynamic aesthetic quality cinematographer Claudio Miranda brings to the film. It may have to do with it being the first film to ever be shot digitally in its entirety, but stripped of Pitt, Blanchett and Fincher, the film would still look amazing.
One would think he would have learned from the criticism of the length of "Zodiac," but the film's only downfall is that it clocks in at just under three hours. That's OK if you're frolicking in a land of orcs, wizards and hobbits, but it makes this film a little too lengthy and leaves the viewer slightly antsy for the ending, which is exactly where the film is drawn out.
With such a packed cast, an established and creative director, and the shiny new cinematography technology, the film is definitely what some would call "Oscar bait." Blanchett will surely have a chance to gain that Oscar she should have received for "I'm Not There."
Nominated for five Golden Globe Awards, the film will surely receive some Oscar nods come Jan. 22 when they will be announced a month before the ceremony.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Nate Brennan is a Reporter staff writer
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