DVDpendence .
videophile

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

With Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Jared Harris, Faune A. Chambers, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, Rampai Mohadi

Written by Eric Roth & Robin Swicord (based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
Directed by David Fincher

The master filmmaker David Fincher and a mind-blowing digital FX team turns this amazing tale into an unforgettable cinematic experience of life, death, love and acceptance. Benjamin Button was born differently - he was born aged and as he grows up, gets younger, living life in reverse. Abandoned by his wealthy father after his mother died giving birth to him, Benjamin is taken in by Queenie, an African-American woman working at an old aged home. Here he grows up as an old infant amoung the living dead at the end of their lives. His journey takes him across the decades in the New Orleans setting (where as a child he meets the woman he's bound to end up with) and beyond. Part of his adventures include working on a tugboat, taking him as far as Russia (where he has his first real affair), and into the 2nd World War.
With great performances beneath truly groundbreaking digital effects, this is a film that uses technology to tell a very passionate and tragic tale, all of the film-making elements coming together in a union of great storytelling.
The trail of this F. Scott Fitzgerald short story has come a long way. On top of that the few decades the screenplay languished in development with several directors attached further stalled its translation to the big screen. This however allowed technology to catch up and making all of the spectacularly realistic FX possible. But in the hands of Fincher and his keen understanding of the essential visual effects required to make this story believable, a cinematic milestone was created.

The 160 minute marathon is supplemented with an additional disc featuring a multi-part making-of documentary, totaling 3 hours(!). It chronicles the various stages from pre-production through to post production and the movie's ultimate release, from the screenplay and choice of cast and crew, to the digital FX, sound, music, challenges and triumphs, problems and breakthroughs. It is a fascinating process and as enjoyable to watch as the main feature (not just a couple of dumb outtakes!).

6 / B
- Paul Blom


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B
- C


6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

© 2009 - Flamedrop Productions