By Fred Topel | Image property of Paramount Pictures
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is good. It's definitely good. I'm never in love with these epic period production value pieces. Admittedly, It was the last of 10 screenings in an exhausting week of junkets so I may change my mind on Blu Ray.
Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
It actually seemed like another Forrest Gump to me. It touches on lots of eras with significant cultural events, a little special effects, and the romance keeps popping up.
The age gimmick isn't too much of the movie. I mean, the old baby and kid are cool and they ultimately have to deal with the other end of that at the end. But it's mainly just the epic life story. The effects are great because they all blend in with the scene.
There's some cool spectacle, particularly in the war eras, but also just in some of the shot composition. I'm not all about cinematography but you do notice some striking visuals.
I don't need the flashback/narration. Not because of any inherent issues with the devices. It just doesn't need it. It can just be the story on its own.
There's one artful storytelling sequence that's a roundabout way of getting to one plot point. They really don't need to overdramatize that. It's not Sliding Doors. It's just a plot point.
The southern thing is a bit big but it's under control. Maybe I'm cynical. It seems like adding an accent just makes it more "awards"y but it's not overdone and it's probably just some real color.
It's a tragedy I guess, but he has a good life. Life ends. It's supposed to.
So I'm probably not going to ever go ga ga over Benjamin Button like I do for Seven Pounds or Zombie Strippers, but I respect it.
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