The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), a film by David Fincher, is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and centres on a man (played by Brad Pitt) who ages in reverse. The film won Academy Awards for Best Achievement in Visual Effects, Best Achievement in Art Direction, and Best Achievement in Makeup in 2009.
The main narrative starts with Benjamin’s birth in 1918, and his mother passes away shortly after giving birth. He was born with a body that resembles that of an elderly man. We notice that he has wrinkles, cataracts, arthritis, and the body of an old man. Benjamin’s father abandons him outside an old age home after being horrified by the way his son looks and the passing of his wife. The caretaker (Queenie) decides to raise Benjamin as her own son. Benjamin begins to age more slowly than everyone else as he gets older.
When he is old enough, Benjamin tries to live as normally as he can. Benjamin appears to be in his 70s at the age of 12. He meets Daisy (Elle Fanning), the granddaughter of a resident at the home. They soon become close friends and develop a bond. Daisy, a gifted ballet dancer, meets Benjamin again as their ages coincide. They share a brief, passionate relationship before Benjamin’s tragic condition pushes them away. The rest of the film is worth watching.
The entire story is told as Daisy is on her deathbed while her daughter, Julia Ormond, reads Benjamin’s diary. The story and the character-building are slow and detailed. The whole movie felt so realistic, and the romantic scenes felt so heartwarming. The focus of the movie isn’t actually on Benjamin; rather, it’s on the interesting characters and events that surround him.
David Fincher’s direction is largely responsible for this movie’s success to this point. Brad Pitt excels in his performance. Both the story and the visuals in the movie are excellent. The film’s plot is straightforward, which makes it extraordinary. It is worth watching.
