Finchers 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

[Spade]

This was a very good film. As usual for Fincher, it's visually striking and stellar in the camerawork. My initial expectations were that it might be a Brad Pitt vehicle, but he did a good job. From that coarse tone to the "lost" or detached look Daisy describes, he manages to make you feel like this is a man who has genuinely lived his life with a body that doesn't match his soul. I can't think of anything I disliked about the screenplay besides the spy's wife. Even then, though, I suppose Benjamin had to learn about the nature of relationships and true love through those exploits. Some complained about the length after the credits started rolling, but I thought the length was appropriate. You've sat down to witness a man's whole life, so it shouldn't be surprising that it's a drawn out tale. What matters is that this is a story that makes one appreciate the value of human life in all its forms, because all life is precious and there is no clock running backwards for any one of us.

 

[CELTICPRED]

Can someone answer this for me, it's been nagging.

When Benjamin leaves the prostitutes room, why does she call him Dick Tracy?

Is there some reference I missed, or is it because he was probably asking a bunch of questions during. (That's the only explanation I could think of.)

 

[BeserkerHilf]

i'm sorry it was a great movie and all but it doesn't deserve a 10 in my book because it's just way too similar to gump.

 

[bullets]

I loved this movie . There are some things that you have to suspend disbelief in order for the film to work but that comes easily . There are some similarities to Forrest Gump but this is definately a different story . The performances and camera work was great and I liked all the different people that came through Benjamin's life. I understand all the praise this film is receiving and I think it is well deserved. I would put it in the top ten of the year .

 

[bullets]

Awesome movie. The beginning story with the clock maker made me tear up a bit. 8/10

The clockmaker story was unexpected but it was poignant and I liked that it was included in the end as well.

 

[BeserkerHilf]

I loved this movie . There are some things that you have to suspend disbelief in order for the film to work but that comes easily . There are some similarities to Forrest Gump but this is definately a different story . The performances and camera work was great and I liked all the different people that came through Benjamin's life. I understand all the praise this film is receiving and I think it is well deserved. I would put it in the top ten of the year .

it's different, but still very similar. he even mutters a line about whether the kid will be like him

 

[Spade]

Maybe it's because I haven't seen Forrest Gump in some time, but the similarities weren't glaring. So they didn't bother me.

The parts that made me emotional were the story behind the train station watch and Benjamin's abandonment.

Spoiler

I get that the guy was in the throes of grief, but geez, how hardhearted do you have to be to consider leaving your newborn son and the last remnant of your wife to drown just because he's not born normal?

 

[bullets]

it's different, but still very similar. he even mutters a line about whether the kid will be like him

That is understandable though . Most of the similarities don't really affect the story negatively but they do help it in some ways .

 

[bullets]

The parts that made me emotional were the story behind the train station watch and Benjamin's abandonment.

Spoiler

I get that the guy was in the throes of grief, but geez, how hardhearted do you have to be to consider leaving your newborn son and the last remnant of your wife to drown just because he's not born normal?

That was one of the many but for some reason nothing really affected me the way I felt when Benjamin had to

Spoiler

Leave Daisy and his daughter so that she could have a chance at a normal father.

I don't know why but that really got to me.

 

[BeserkerHilf]

That is understandable though . Most of the similarities don't really affect the story negatively but they do help it in some ways .

similarities are flat out distracting. the whole time you're thinking, "hey i remember this part too". they don't hurt the film but they certainly don't help it.

 

[DorkyFresh]

i haven't seen the movie yet. i should probably just go and see it, but i will eventually. anyway, i saw this over at the cgsociety forums and thought it might be a good read for anyone interested in how they did the effects of the film...

http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=4848

...it's quite a read but it's pretty interesting stuff.

 

[블라스]

10/10, my favorite movie in 2008 (even though I just saw it).

 

[Star]

I definitely liked it. I thought it was so sad because you knew him and Daisy could never stay together.

 

[8wid]

I just saw this. For me one of the best films ever made easily. It's such a spectacular ride that makes one really think about life.

 

[[A]]

Just saw it. I liked it. I honestly thought it was gonna be a whole lot better. Cate Blanchett is superb (what a surprise). But..










*funny how while I was watching the film it was raining outside. When the film was over, the sun came up.

 

[Jolie_Desastre]

10/10
My favorite film from 2008. The performances were phenomenal and Fincher did a wonderful job.

 

[Matt.S99]

^Agreed. And Cate Blanchett..........mmmmm

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

what song does mrs....maple? teach benjamin button in the movie? or is it just a random piano solo? (im tryin to find the song)

 

[[A]]

off-topic but.. what's the font they used in the posters? For the Button name

 

[The Shape]

Great film, but man, is it overrated. It was beautifully done, had a compelling story, but it's one of those films you see and enjoy very much, but don't think much about after that. The next day, I didn't find myself thinking back on what I had seen and the various parts that moved me.

The first half of the film was flawlessly crafted, but once the love story really kicked in, the story dragged. And I don't understand all the praise for Pitt. Sure, he was good, but the character of Benjamin Button doesn't show too much emotion, so niether does Brad. He just goes through the story speaking in the same tone and southern drawl. I'm not trying to devalue Pitt, I just don't understand how there is actually talk of a Best Actor nomination for him. Was he even close to being as good as Sean Penn or Leo? Nope.

Overall, solid film, beautifully shot, Cate Blanchette looked hot when she was a dancer, and Queenie was a great character. 7.5/10

 

[Octoberist]

i think that if the movie followed the short story a little bit more, it would've been more compelling.

We never got to see him attempting to go to public school, and being treated as an outsider publically.

 

[The Shape]

i think that if the movie followed the short story a little bit more, it would've been more compelling.

We never got to see him attempting to go to public school, and being treated as an outsider publically.

I also agree this. Had the film stuck more to the short story, it would have actually turned out quite different, but more unique.

 

[Drizzle]

I liked the movie fine, but judging from the reviews, I was expecting a much better film. To me, it didn't live up to the expectations as other movies this year did like "Slumdog Millionaire" or "The Dark Knight". I really enjoyed the first half of the movie, but for some reason, the younger Benjamin got, the less attached I got to the movie. Even though it was nearly three hours long, it felt like the later part of his life was rushed through. Overall, I liked it, but frankly I don't see what the big deal was. And I'm a fan of Pitt and Fincher's work together.

 

[Star]

This is too funny...

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/1d76506803/the-curious-case-of-forrest-gump-from-fgump44

 

[Hunter Rider]

This is too funny...

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/1d76506803/the-curious-case-of-forrest-gump-from-fgump44