Pitt and Blanchett shines in Button
By Vanessa Ho
Clocking in at almost three hours long, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button didn't feel like you were clocking watching but rather soaking in the story of a man, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) who ages in reverse and the ensuing love story.
Button is born shortly after the end of World War I. His mother dies giving birth to him and his father (Jason Flemyng), after seeing his son, abandons him on the steps of a nursing home, where he is found by Queenie (Tarajil P. Henson) who becomes Benjamin's surrogate mother. What is unusual about Benjamin is that when he is born he looks like a man well into his 80s will all the ailments of a senior citizen.
As he starts to grow younger, he meets Daisy (first played by Elle Fanning as a child, then Cate Blanchett as an adult). As they grow up together, they fall in love and finally meet in the middle in their 40s where their love really blossoms.
The love story is the heart of the film and where it truly flourishes. Pitt and Blanchett had undeniable chemistry and every scene they are in together is powerful and emotional.
Button is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and screenwriter Eric Roth really did an excellent job in shaping the story and giving it more heart and emotion.
Part of that heart goes to the performances, especially Henson as the no-nonsense Queenie. She truly seems to have formed a nice mother-son bond with Pitt. And Pitt is a true revelation here, giving great depth to Button in his various ages and proves that he is an actor with more than a pretty face. Blanchett of course is always amazing, in particular towards the end of the film, when she encounters a younger Benjamin; a truly heart wrenching reunion.
But there were times that I wished there was more of Daisy and Button. Too much of the movie is spent focusing on Button's adventure after he turns 17 and leaves for adventures at sea and during World War II. The romantic in me just wanted more scenes with Pitt and Blanchett. Their love story is one for the ages. Their story was of the most interest to the film.
Be prepared to cry as you the inevitable conclusion of a love story where one lover moves into old age and the other goes towards infancy.
By Vanessa Ho
Clocking in at almost three hours long, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button didn't feel like you were clocking watching but rather soaking in the story of a man, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) who ages in reverse and the ensuing love story.
Button is born shortly after the end of World War I. His mother dies giving birth to him and his father (Jason Flemyng), after seeing his son, abandons him on the steps of a nursing home, where he is found by Queenie (Tarajil P. Henson) who becomes Benjamin's surrogate mother. What is unusual about Benjamin is that when he is born he looks like a man well into his 80s will all the ailments of a senior citizen.
As he starts to grow younger, he meets Daisy (first played by Elle Fanning as a child, then Cate Blanchett as an adult). As they grow up together, they fall in love and finally meet in the middle in their 40s where their love really blossoms.
The love story is the heart of the film and where it truly flourishes. Pitt and Blanchett had undeniable chemistry and every scene they are in together is powerful and emotional.
Button is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and screenwriter Eric Roth really did an excellent job in shaping the story and giving it more heart and emotion.
Part of that heart goes to the performances, especially Henson as the no-nonsense Queenie. She truly seems to have formed a nice mother-son bond with Pitt. And Pitt is a true revelation here, giving great depth to Button in his various ages and proves that he is an actor with more than a pretty face. Blanchett of course is always amazing, in particular towards the end of the film, when she encounters a younger Benjamin; a truly heart wrenching reunion.
But there were times that I wished there was more of Daisy and Button. Too much of the movie is spent focusing on Button's adventure after he turns 17 and leaves for adventures at sea and during World War II. The romantic in me just wanted more scenes with Pitt and Blanchett. Their love story is one for the ages. Their story was of the most interest to the film.
Be prepared to cry as you the inevitable conclusion of a love story where one lover moves into old age and the other goes towards infancy.
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