The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008, dir. David Fincher) ****/****

    This is a truly epic film from David Fincher.  It is the story of a man who is born an old man and ages in reverse.  Brad Pitt plays the title character and it is one of his greatest performances.  With the help of CGI, we never once fail to believe that Pitt is embodying all the ages that the character journeys through.  It is a heartfelt, tragic film, but it is filled with optimism and a zest for life unlike other pictures of its kind.  In fact, TCCoBB is a one-of-a-kind picture, so comparison with other films is impossible.

   Benjamin is a man who experiences love and sorrow like most human beings but his voyage is all the more compelling and endearing because of the curious complications and predicament that his reverse aging puts him through.  Pitt does a great job of making Mr. Button a complex, deep character who is flawed but is able to make the best of his situation and live a fulfilling life.

  The period detail of the film is fantastic and the various ages - from the early twentieth century into the twenty-first, is painstakingly accurate and lovingly portrayed.  The cinematography is also top notch.

  It is a quirky film with several odd characters and situations.  There is one character who claims he was struck by lightning seven times and each time he recounts a different time it happened we are given a glimpse of what he went through in a brief flashback.  It is expressive, eccentric moments like this that add to the complexity and soul of the film making it unique and compelling.
  TCCoBB is a life-affirming, captivating film that should not be missed.