Curious Case of Benjamin Button review

The things that happen in life might not be fully understood until one reflects. What shaped the decisions and who did we meet that shaped us? These are some of the questions raised in the latest David Fincher film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a story about a man who was born old and ages younger. Being raised in a retirement home proved to help shape Benjamin into the man he become, and there is where he met Daisy, the little girl who would become the love of his entire life.

The film reflects periodically on the situations that we personally don’t reflect on until it’s too late. Who are the people that taught us something that we would never forget? Would we remember their name? Would their stories make us better people? The film glides right along, an amazing feat for a three hour film, but I think it’s because Fincher is as curious as Benjamin and we are about these ideas and themes. Fincher has been known for tackling dark subject matter, like in last year’s vastly under appreciated Zodiac or even in Fight Club. I don’t think I would call The Curious Case of Benjamin Button a dark film but there’s just this sadness that germinates within the film and carries itself with you long after seeing it.

People react differently to situations and events, and it’s interesting to note that Benjamin in the film never has a reaction of outrage, violence, or cruelness. He faces each event as just another one of life’s happenings, no matter how bad or good, whether it was fate, destiny, or complete randomness, he accepts them. Such a personality is one we all wish we could have, one that can accept the bad with the good, learn, grow, and move on? I think that’s the reason the film works so well. Most of us cannot do this. Some of us grow depressed, mean, or soak it all up within ourselves allowing nothing or anyone to know what that meant to us, whether again, its life, death, love or love lost. Through Benjamin’s eyes we face these things head on as he finds first love, death, a father he never knew and a daughter he’ll never see grow old. These are the emotions the film brings to life.

The heart of the film is Benjamin and Daisy’s love for one another. As he grows old, his appearance grows younger, a dilemma that seems rectified when they meet at almost the exact same age and appearance. Ever since he met her, he’s loved her and the way Fincher shows this, and in the script, for those who are on board, I dare you to keep dry eyes. I couldn’t as I looked through Benjamin’s eyes at the love I once lost, this is the quality of the film.

Fincher needs us to be on board, as the basic principle of the film hinges on FX and it totally sells the idea of old looking baby who ages younger as everyone else ages proper. Glued by fabulous performances, a soft and moody score, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button works a lot like Forrest Gump without all of the pop culture stuff. It’s moody, heartfelt, charming and utterly fantastic. It’s rare to see a film that fully depicts a life lived in full, and like Benjamin who leaves behind a diary of his life that will get shared, maybe we too can learn to be like Benjamin and have a life as fully lived as him.

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