Film Review: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Director David Fincher first made his name with his second film, Se7en in 1994. He all but disowned his debut picture, Alien 3. The epoch defining Fight Club lead to the departure of Fox Pictures head of production due to the film's perceived commercial failure but increased Fincher's stock as a director. It appears that he has balanced studio money-making thrillers in The Game and Panic Room with more personal projects such as his latest, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.

Based on F. Scott's Fitzgerald's story the film sees Fincher reunited with Brad Pitt in telling the story of a baby born will the characteristics of an octogenarian who ages in reverse, becoming physically younger as his life progresses. Beginning as an old man Button gradually starts a relation with Daisy (Cate Blanchett) which grows stronger as the two become approximately the same age.

The film shifts the story to the recent past by starting the flashbacks in the build-up to Hurricane Katrina. This might have been intended to embed some dramatic tension but it seems forced as the real story is that of Benjamin Button. A fine makeup and CGI job is done to make Pitt look older, it's only when he's meant to be much younger than his actual self does it look fake.

The problem I have with the film is that although the concept is interesting and explores the notion of ageing backwards, it's a little slow and unengaging at times, as if its weighed down by its own importance. At two and a half hours, it's far too long. It's scripted by Eric Roth, who also wrote Forest Gump, but it lacks the wit and humour which made that so entertaining. It's a change of pace ad style for Fincher which he doesn't quite pull off.