He Said: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Benjamin Button is a modern day (well 20th century at least) fairy tale following the extraordinary life of a man who is born old and ages in reverse. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie!!!
All of the actors in the film did a wonderful job including Tilda Swinton who normally really bothers me for a reason I cannot put my finger on.
I have appreciated most of Brad Pitt's movies over the years and I think he is underrated as an actor. I feel that a lot of people out there dismiss his acting ability because of his looks and he is a good looking man. In fact I thought my wife's mother was going to swoon out of her seat during one particular scene when the older (but younger looking) Benjamin was sailing in what appeared to be a pair of Persol sunglasses looking very much like a photograph of a young John F. Kennedy. I think he makes smart choices when it comes to the characters that he portrays and how he chooses to play them. This movie is no exception. Another fine performance by Pitt.
But out of all the characters in the movie my favorite has to be Captain Mike. As played by Jared Harris, Captain Mike is the colorful tugboat captain slash artist who takes young (old) Benjamin under his wing and shows him the world outside of his home; a retirement home (no less) run by his adoptive mother. Captain Mike may be the heart of the movie for me as he is so full of life and offers Benjamin some final words on death that come to play later on in the film.
The thing that really struck me as I was watching the movie was how much it reminded me of Forrest Gump. Even Forrest's familiar feather was there albeit in a different form. Both films basically tell the story of a well lived and adventurous life played through history and how those lives are affected and in turn affect those they come into contact with. When you break them down though both movies are really love stories about childhood friends who share a love that can never be truly realized.
As you will come to learn from reading our blog I am the softy of the group when it comes to movies like this so yes my friends I had tears through quite a bit of this film (hey I can be honest).
Had I not thought that Dark Knight was the best and most fully realized film of the year then this movie would definitely be #1. As it stands now though #2 isn't so bad is it? Rose? Your thoughts. :)
P.S. I found out after I had written this whole review that the screenwriter of this movie one mr. Eric Roth also wrote. . . wait for it. . . Forrest Gump!!! Man can I pick em or what.
Monday, December 29, 2008
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