The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

This past weekend for me was a film frenzy. Friday night was the planned culmination to my two week geek out over the 3D re-release of My Bloody Valentine and Saturday -- a movie night with my mom, her choice, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Having never seen a horror film or a 3D film in the theatre, my planning was grossly under par. I went to a cafe before the 10:30 p.m. showing, intending to leave for the theatre around 9 p.m., plenty of time, so I thought. Well, I got distracted and ended up leaving at 9:30 p.m., arriving at the theatre at 10 p.m., have I mentioned yet that I didn't buy tickets in advance? Yep, so I get there, go to the kiosk, key in my show and time and it's sold out. Brutally rebuffed, I leered at the good planners heading into the opening night show, tickets and glasses in hand, and left the theatre.

I went back to the theatre the next day to get a jump on the tickets for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and to see if the run times would allow for me to see the 8:15 showing of Benjamin Button with my mom and still make My Bloody Valentine at 10:30 p.m. No such luck, I should have expected as much, I mean it is David Fincher afterall.

So, going into Benjamin Button I was already disgruntled; if I were going to see something else I would have rather it been Slumdog Millionaire, Grand Torrino, or The Wrestler, but it was my mom's choice, so I went.

I have to say it's not often that I'm pleasantly surprised by a film, the price alone usually deters my enjoyment, but I really liked The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

I had been warned to expect emotional manipulation, and though this movie does spur the tear jerk response, it's more on the part of the actors for doing such a fine job of portraying the themes of time, the importance of life and the choices we make in a life, death, and abandonement.

The story itself is based on a short outline of a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, expanded on by the directorial skill of David Fincher. The plot follows Benjamin Button, played by Brad Pitt, a boy born with the appearance and bodily deterioration of a man well into his 80's and about to die. He goes backward through life, watching everyone around him die.

The gem of the film is Pitt's ability to show the viewer, without much dialogue, the internal / psychological struggle of a man in this particular circumstance. His reaction to the people brought in and out of his life, to love and war, to time, the decay and rejuvination of the body, faith, and life itself as a thing meant to be lived and enjoyed no matter what outer shell we carry through it, is the highlight of this film.

And even in the midst of all the sadness of this story, there are still several laugh out loud moments to buffer it.

I hesitate to say an more about the plot, because though the direction and cinematography are quite well done, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button hinges on the unfolding of this strange story through Brad Pitts subtle and stoical performance.

Though Pitt is most assuredly the star and focal point of this film, Fincher assembles a large and well-equiped supporting cast of lesser knowns to support Pitt and Cate Blanchett's leading roles, including: Julia Ormond as Caroline, Taraji P. Henson as Queenie (from Hustle and Flow), Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth Abbott, and many more.

If you have a chance to see this film, I wholeheartedly recommend it. And if, like me, you have developed an aversion to Brad Pitt (despite his brilliant acting), due to his relationship with media whore Angelina Jolie, trust me she won't cross your mind during this three hour film.

So, take a trip out to your local theatre and come in from the cold for a few hours to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt.