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Last Updated: Jan 16th, 2009 - 10:33:53 |
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a movie that, by the force of its own power—and magic—allows us to suspend our disbelief in the supernatural. This willing suspension happens as we follow a story about ordinary human beings leading lives of extraordinary adventure, tedium, misery and joy.
The movie is based on the short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald so, not surprisingly, the story begins in the early 20th century, with World War I as a powerful symbol of man’s disregard for life. Almost, as if in response to this inhumanity, this story reverses the act of living. An abandoned baby, named Benjamin by the kind woman who takes him in (Taraji P. Henson), is so full of infirmity that it is thought he has only a short time to live.
But as time passes, it seems that Benjamin is getting younger, not older, like everyone else around him. This reversal of nature draws in sharp relief human conventions, struggles and triumphs. How can a man in his 60’s still be a virgin? How can two people love when one is headed toward childhood and the other is headed toward old age?
The fine screenplay by Eric Roth makes “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” into a story that continuously evolves, with no scenes or minutes wasted in Benjamin’s life. Told in flashback by two people, the narrative takes us inside the sweep of one man’s life and also inside the sweep of time, from the time of horse and buggy to the space age. Sure, the deathbed flashback and confession does seem a bit cliché but there is probably no better way to tell a personal story fused with world events.
Direction by David Fincher (“Zodiac,” “Panic Room,” “Se7en”) brings the sweep of history alive in a manner that recalls other literature of that era that melds personal stories with historical events, including E.L. Doctorow’s “Ragtime,” which was produced as a film in 1981 and “Reds,” also released in 1981, based on the life of journalist John Reed and his book “Ten Days That Shook the World.”
Brad Pitt turns in a nuanced performance as a man accustomed to living a life where nothing is as it should be. Henson certainly expands herself as an actress by also bringing nuance and warmth to what could have been another big screen mammy role.
On Christmas Day, movie fans around my way may not be immediately drawn to a flick titled, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” when there are other (inferior) offerings with sexier titles and trailers. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has a Dickensian sound to it, like some way-long book that was required reading in high school. But while it may have a historical and social sweep, it is very much alive in theme and cadence. It presents a curious tale easily accepted as truth.
This review also appeared on Tom Joyner's BlackAmericaWeb.com,/i>
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