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-- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -- In over a quarter century as a professional movie critic, I have yet to be as moved or as impressed by a film as I was by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This imaginative and captivating tale of one man’s unique journey on the river of life has, I think, been underestimated because of its stunning visual effects. There’s much more to it than its computer-enhanced visuals.
Brad Pitt is Benjamin, who is born in New Orleans just as World War I is ending. His father, deeply grieved by the death of his wife in childbirth, is further pained by the fact that his son is born “old.” the baby is heavily wrinkled, with all sorts of physical ailments more appropriate for a man of 80 than a newborn and Benjamin’s father finds it impossible to cope with the situation. He dashes from the hospital, the child in his arms, and leaves him on the doorstep of a home.
The place is, ironically, an “old folks’ home.” The cook and head attendant there, a vibrant young woman named Queenie (Taraji P. Henson,) finds the child. Unmarried and physically unable to have children, Queenie takes Benjamin as her own child and raises him. Under her loving care, he actually begins to age backwards, growing younger as those around him grow older.
In a kind of late middle age, Benjamin decides to learn more about the world beyond his doorstep and, packing a suitcase, heads off into that world. He sees and discovers a great deal on the roads and seas.
Always in his mind is Daisy, the granddaughter of one if the home’s residents whom he met and befriended when both were “kids.”
Benjamin’s journey continues in a different way when he returns to find a grown-up Daisy (Cate Blanchett) pursuing dreams of her own.
Director David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club) allows Button to unfold like a precious flower budding in the warmth of the sun. It flows with a grace and subtle purposefulness that catches you in its wake and brings you along as it works its way through two and three quarter hours of rich, seductive storytelling.
Screenwriters Eric Roth (who won an Oscar for adapting Forrest Gump) and Robin Swicord do an amazing job of retaining the basic concept of the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story on which the script is based, while expanding its timeline and deepening its breadth and scope.
Pitt and Blanchett are excellent, separately and together. There’s a kind of quiet confidence at the center of Pitt’s performance that centers and steadies it. Blanchett, as the adult Daisy retains the character’s youthful energy and sensuality throughout.
Taraji P. Henson’s (Talk to Me, Hustle and Flow) Queenie is one of the great screen mothers and fine supporting work is done by Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton), Julia Ormond (Legends of The Fall ) and other, veteran character actors.
This is a movie full of heart, intellect and passion. As you watch it, savor what it has to say, as well as what it has to show. Truly, there’s more here than meets the eye.
Available in the Blu-Ray format, the film be purchased in single and two disc editions. Extras include commentary from David Fincher, an interview with Brad Pitt and featuretts on the technology behind the visual and make-up effect.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for profanity, war violence sexual content and period-related smoking.
Joe’s Rating: Four (****) Stars.

Also released on May 5:
-- Last Chance Harvey -- Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson shine in this witty and thoroughly engaging romantic comedy. Hoffman is Harvey Shine, a frustrated jazz pianist/composer who, with a family to care for, turned to writing advertising jingles.
Arriving in London for his daughter’s wedding, he’s hit with a series of unpleasant surprises. His daughter’s chosen to ask her stepfather (James Brolin) to walk her down the aisle. Because of a delay in getting back for a presentation, Harvey is fired from his job.
A chance rude remark brings Harvey up short and opens the door to meeting and getting to know Kate Walker (Thompson.) An airport security screener, Kate is a shy, bright woman who’s been terribly unlucky in love.
Their chance second meeting in an airport lounge leads to an impromptu day of bantering, walking and discovery about themselves and each other. Will they move forward with what appears to be a promising beginning or retreat to avoid pain and complications?
Joel Hopkins’ direction and screenplay give Hoffman and Thompson plenty of room to work their magic on each other and us. It’s a pleasure to watch a romance unfold between two people over 25, a rarity in the vast majority of romantic comedies.
A genial and genuinely endearing movie, Last Chance Harvey has the bite of a story about folks who’ve seen and done more than a bit of living. It also celebrates the possibility of new and hopeful beginning.
Available in the Blu-Ray format, the disc includes such extras as commentary from Hopkins, Hoffman and Thompson and a “making of” featurette.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for profanity and sensuality.
Joe’s Rating: Three and One-Half (*** ½) Stars.