THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

ENGLISH - (PG13) - 12 February 2009 - Drama

Distributor: Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Picture

Running time: about 166 mins.

Director: David Fincher

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Ray Stark

Writers: Eric Roth, Robin Swicord, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Casts: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Tilda Swinton

Plot: "I was born under unusual circumstances." And so begins "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards. A man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be - a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

What if you can grow backward? Have you ever wonder how you can actually do that? In Benjamin Button's world, nothing is impossible as human's exceptional story was told in a great movie. There is no doubt that this movie been the contender for The Best Picture for the upcoming Oscar is indeed one of the great one, however blame the story quick cutting of scenes if it lose.

WARNING SPOILER! Brad Pitt played the title role, about a man whom was born in the state of an elder, but grew up younger. For him, the clock ticks backward and those who haven't watched it should brace yourself to see the awesomeness of the progression of aging that Benjamin experienced. As he grew 'younger', he encountered numerous events and tragedies that have taught him so much about life.

The narration was done by Brad Pitt himself. This is an autobiography style of movie that required a lot of patience and understanding of its background in order to really appreciate the movie. The plot was slow at the initial stage but it has a quick scene editting that makes scenes been moved forward too quickly that you may tend to miss out the essence of the story. However, the story was well penned and designed ideally to reflect the theme of time, but may still find itself a hard time to win big in the Oscar. Perhaps, the greatest story in here were all about soul searching, life and death and time backward, which were all told in a different concept. The movie was unique.

Cate Blanchett been a normal and regular actress that can sweep any awards in any season may found herself in a cold seat. She was sidelined from the recent Oscar nominations but her performance was equally stunning. Brad Pitt was different from his persona, while he deeply encroached into the role. Benjamin Button was not Brad Pitt in real life. adding in some great effects, the aging in backward of Benjamin was amazing as well.

Been a great cast, good but not perfect story-line, moderate use of effects and great cinematography, what can you expect more from the nominee of The Best Picture itself. Give it a try, although the story may be dry in action but it riches in family value and love.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 4.5 stars

STORY - 4.5 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 4.0 stars

EFFECTS - 4.5 stars

an overall >> 4.5 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 17.7