The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
By: Danika Grady

During the celebrations of the end of World War I, a man rushes home to his wife who is in childbirth. Little does he know that the child born on that night will not only kill his wife, but be a very curious case. Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) was born as an infant who had all of the characteristics of an old man. As he ages his body gets younger and younger, until he finally dies as an infant once again. In addition to this complicated notion there is a second story intertwined within it. As a young boy in an old mans body, Benjamin is enamored with a little girl by the name of Daisy (Cate Blanchett). As his body gets younger and younger as he ages their physical appearances meet in the middle. They share a passionate romance but it ends harshly when Benjamin leaves for the sake of their child. It is impossible for him to take care of her when he himself will begin to deteriorate into an infant once more.

Rated PG-13 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is beautifully made with specific attention to detail and wonderful cinematography. Directed by David Fincher, this film goes above and beyond the original short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The characters are astonishingly well developed throughout the film and the settings and plot line mesh seamlessly.

Benjamin Button is brought into this world as an old man who ages backwards. When his mother dies in childbirth his father abandons him to a kindly nurse who runs a local senior residence. Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) takes him in and loves him like her own son. When he is about 5 mentally and 80 physically his life and mentality are altered when he meets Daisy, the granddaughter of one of the seniors he lives with. From the start Daisy knows Benjamin is different. Despite their difference in physical appearances the two become friends. Throughout the next 20 years the two meet occasionally and keep in touch, while each tries to find their way in the world. In one fated meeting the two connect again and begin their romance. When a child is conceived of their love Benjamin leaves to protect the child from himself.

Throughout this sequence Pitt plays his part flawlessly, flowing from old man to 20 year old with ease and just a bit of make up. The chemistry between him and Blanchett on screen is evident as the two undergo life’s insecurities. The drama and emotion in this film is clearly offset by the amount of humor that was inserted in appropriate parts. Benjamin Button was a refreshing film that at times had me at the point of tears and in the next sequence laughing. The rapidly changing tone was a change of pace that was utterly delightful to experience. I recommend this film to anyone able to see it. I enjoyed it immensely and despite its length found myself engaged the duration of the film.