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THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchette, Jason Flemyng, Tilda Swinton, Taraji P. Henson, Elle Fanning and Julia Ormond

Directed by: David Fincher

PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking

By John Delia

Nominated for best picture of 2008 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button now on DVD has stellar acting, amazing make-up and CGI, superb directing and remarkable cinematography. I loved the odd yet touching romantic drama that held my interest throughout the nearly three-hour length. If you like films with wonderment at every turn, then The Curious Case of Benjamin Button should fill your fantasy.

The film, based on a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, centers on the birth of a child who is so hideous that his mother is forced by her husband to abandon it at a retirement home. A worker at the home takes the child in as her own and raises him. Aging backward, from his eighties the boy starts to grow in mind much like normal children, but still in the shell of an old man. As his life progresses we get to rummage though his loves, a stint in the war, his travels and the wonders of change all seen from the odd perspective of reverse ageing.

I found the film very fascinating as it played out showing the reverse aging process while the other characters aged normally. The film is brilliant in capturing the life of Benjamin as he catches up to his childhood with stopovers along the way.

Pitt does a terrific job of keeping in character throughout the film even under the most difficult circumstances of portraying Benjamin at challenging age levels. His ability to project to me the believability of the character’s age progression shows genuine talent.

In support Blanchette as older Daisy who tells the story, and Swinton as a forlorn Elizabeth Abbott who falls in love with Benjamin are excellent. The two pull the story together and make it romantic and interesting. I also enjoyed the acting of Elle Fanning as the younger Daisy who befriends Benjamin while others shun the boy.

Topping the cast however, is Henson as Queenie the housekeeper who takes Benjamin in and raises him. With an endearing performance, Queenie’s devotion in keeping the odd looking boy is moving and admirable.

Special features on the 2-Disc special edition include a four-part documentary. I really liked The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button that shows how the filmmakers were able work with small people to bring young Benjamin to life on the screen.

The film is rated PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking, so be sure to take this into consideration when deciding watch the DVD with immature children.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The amazing and enjoyable film is a must see. (5 of 5 Palm Trees)