The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Director:

David Fincher

Writers (WGA):

Eric Roth (screenplay)
Eric Roth (screen story) ...

Release Date:

25 December 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments

Plot:

Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.

Plot Keywords:

Button | Diary | Aging | Daughter | Hurricane Katrina

Awards:

Won 3 Oscars. Another 31 wins & 68 nominations

Cast

Cate Blanchett	...	Daisy
Julia Ormond	...	Caroline
Faune A. Chambers	...	Dorothy Baker
Elias Koteas	...	Monsieur Gateau
Donna DuPlantier	...	Blanche Devereux
Jacob Tolano	...	Martin Gateau (as Jacob Wood)
Earl Maddox	...	Man at Train Station
Ed Metzger	...	Teddy Roosevelt
Jason Flemyng	...	Thomas Button
Danny Vinson	...	Priest Giving Last Rites
David Jensen	...	Doctor at Benjamin's Birth
Joeanna Sayler	...	Caroline Button
Taraji P. Henson	...	Queenie
Mahershalalhashbaz Ali	...	Tizzy
Fiona Hale	...	Mrs. Hollister

Also Known As:

Benjamin Button (USA) (working title)
The Curious Case (International: English title) (informal short title)
El curioso caso de Benjamin Button (Argentina) (Peru) (Spain) (Venezuela) [es]
L'étrange histoire de Benjamin Button (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Загадочная история Бенджамина Баттона (Russia) [ru]
Benjamin Button különös élete (Hungary) [hu]
Benjamin Button'in tuhaf hikayesi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Benjamin Buttoni uskumatu elu (Estonia) [et]
Benjamin Buttonin uskomaton elämä (Finland) [fi]
Benjamin Buttons forunderlige liv (Denmark) [da]
Benjamin Buttons otroliga liv (Sweden) [sv]
Ciekawy przypadek Benjamina Buttona (Poland) [pl]
Den fantastiske historien om Benjamin Button (Norway) [no]
Der seltsame Fall des Benjamin Button (Germany) [de]
El extraño caso de Benjamin Button (Venezuela) [es]
I apistefti istoria tou Benjamin Button (Greece) [el]
Il curioso caso di Benjamin Button (Italy) [it]
Neobicna prica Benjamina Buttona (Croatia) [hr]
Neobicni slucaj Bendzamina Batona (Serbia) [sr]
O Curioso Caso de Benjamin Button (Brazil) [pt]
O Estranho Caso de Benjamin Button (Portugal) [pt]
Podivný prípad Benjamina Buttona (Slovakia) [sk]
Podivuhodný prípad Benjamina Buttona (Czech Republic) [cs]
Strania poveste a lui Benjamin Button (Romania) [ro]

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

166 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #44743) | Australia:M | Finland:K-11 | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | Czech Republic:12 | Singapore:PG | New Zealand:M | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Norway:7 | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Brazil:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:6 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Chile:Y7 | Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Spain:T | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Sweden:11 | Mexico:B | Austria:10 | Denmark:11 | Germany:12 | France:U | Iceland:7 | Sweden:7 | Ireland:12 (blu-ray) | UK:15 (blu-ray)

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The hummingbird is the only bird in the world that can fly backwards. All hurricanes spin counter-clockwise. These, among other "backward" motifs involving clocks and so on, tie in with the major thematic elements related to Benjamin Button living life in reverse.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Benjamin is seen tinkering with an Enfield Bullet motorcycle. But it contains a "Black letter on White" number-plate. "Black on White" were introduced for private vehicles only by 2000. Earlier "Black on White" plates were for taxis; private vehicles had "White on black" plates.

Quotes:

Benjamin Button: It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Watchmen/Shuttle/12 (#1.2)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

MANANA (IS SOON ENOUGH FOR ME)

An Astonishing Rarity

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a film unlike any I've ever seen and probably ever will. A true epic that left me utterly speechless. It accomplished so much through such simplicity. Everything was top notch from the elegant directing to the subtly wonderful performances down to the magical score. The film demands you to feel not only for the death we witness, but for the incredible life we discover. It prays on the obvious morality issues we all deal with but also dangles the idea in front of us that everyone goes through the same joys and grievances, just not in the same way. This is a momentous tale that deserves nothing less than the title of brilliance.

This visually and emotionally rich movie recalls the life of a very peculiar man born in the early 20th century who ages backwards. His tale unfolds through a diary read by the daughter of his love, Daisy. Throughout life he goes through the same things we do, growing up and eventually growing old. He's a thoughtful observer, discovering life from all different angles. But it is not his life that makes him unique. His love is what makes him special. He spends a lifetime trying to understand how his love for Daisy works and still only gets a few incredible years really loving her. As their lives tell us, the years of frustration and hardship are all worth it if only for a few moments of happiness.

The direction in the film is almost flawless. Hopefully, Benjamin Button will garner David Fincher the recognition he deserves. He winds this clock so well and with such grace that the movie has this undeniable flow that is enjoyable from start to finish. At nearly 3 hours, there is not a minute wasted. Every shot is jaw dropping and while some will find issue with the time, it is used wisely.

The acting is also a thing of wonder. This is by far Brad Pitt's best performance. He is so believable and realistic throughout. His nuances are spot on and despite the heavy use of make-up and CGI used to portray his character, it is Pitt who makes Benjamin that much more curious.

I left the theater astonished that some one could review this movie badly. It is an extremely graceful depiction of life, love, and the things we lose. After so much anticipation I was certainly not disappointed. This movie is probably not for everyone though. It's not your average drama that spoon feeds it's audience their emotions. It is something of awe and astonishment, an absolute gem. What makes our lives memorable are the moments we never seem to grasp long enough before letting go. Life in itself is indeed very, very curious and Benjamin Button is no less of a wonder.