the Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Benjamin Button is a social pariah, abandoned by his father shortly after childbirth in 1918 and taken in by a loving New Orleans couple who run a convelescent home. He is born with the body of an 80 year old man and ages backwards.

This concept poses a myriad of potential logical flaws, but David Fincher does a wonderful job of maintaining the humanity, the mystery and the realism despite the absurd scenario. Benjamin's life unfolds not unlike Forest Gump; he is raised with his kindred spirits - learns life's lessons through his experiences with the old and dying, and even falls in love with the granddaughter of one of his fellow residents. At the age of 18, he succumbs to his curiosity and begins an adventure at sea. He takes a job as a deckhand on a tugboat, and meets a variety of interesting people as he discovers passion and tries to make his way through life knowing that he is a unique and lonely soul.

There are numerous remarkable aspects to this film - the direction, acting, the story, but most engaging of all is the visual effects and the makeup. As Benjamin (Brad Pitt) ages backwards, it is not done with the traditional actor substitution, but by making Pitt appear as an old man all the way back to a man in his late teens. The effects are astounding, and will certainly win awards hands down.

Pitt does a fantastic job as the lead, and conveys the silent pain of the character through his brooding eyes and soft southern-drawl voice. I have thought for years that Pitt is a great actor who has made many outstanding choices of roles throughout the years to work with some of the more innovative directors in the industry. He plays Benjamin with convincing confidence from death to birth.

The supporting cast is mostly unknowns, but Cate Blanchett and a brief encounter with Tilda Swinton add to the star power, and showcase the talents of both. As mesmerizing as Pitt's transformation from old to young is, Blanchett's is almost as captivating from young to old.

David Fincher is one of the most visionary directors in the business, and he follows up the most underrated film of 2007 (Zodiac) with a masterpiece that will quite possibly be named the best picture of the year. His body of work continues to impress and grow, and he has me hooked as an undiscriminating fan.

The film is tied together by the backdrop of an unrequited love story of two proverbial ships passing in the night. One is growing older and the other younger, but their chemistry is undeniable. Much like Forest Gump, they take advantage of their window of opportuniy but it is destined for heartbreak.

The film ends leaving the viewer with a feeling much like the beginning - curiosity. The acting, direction, story are all incredibly moving, and there is a sense of grounded fantasy that moves it toward a satisfying conclusion. There are brilliant details, and the dialogue and interaction is done with appropriate humor as well as emotional sincerity. I would strongly recommend this film to any fan of quality cinema - it is a wonderful journey and will find itself among the favorites for many awards come March. 9/10.