I thought it was brilliant - I'm going to post my full thoughts a bit later though. The final act was absolutely heartbreaking, especially when Benjamin's daughter was born and he realized he couldn't be the father she needed. Anyways, in my top five of the year for sure. A+

so has fincher figured out how to deal with a female character in a less than morally-reprehensible manner yet?

Never looked at it this way. But yes he definitely has in Queenies case, in Daisy's case (she becomes a nicer/better person as she ages) but less so in Swildon's case - even though "morally reprehensible" isnt the right word.

I read someone's list of parallels between Benjamin Button and Forrest Gump. They were suggesting it was more than coincidence given that Eric Roth wrote the screenplays for both movies. Here's the list:



It is an interesting list, and food for thought...

Yeah thats interesting. Definitely too many parellels - especially the Jenny/Daisy ones which I picked up. The others are not so blatant or matter so much.

Wow, I never even once thought of Forrest Gump while watching Benjamin Button. Interesting (and I guess somewhat legit) comparisons, but they feel so different in the end. This is not nearly as corny

I enjoyed Benjamin Button. It's beautifully shot, incredibly well-acted and interesting to watch. Despite it's near three-hour running time, I didn't find myself checkin' the watch at all. Brad Pitt is absolutely terrific in this.

But it's just not a film that's "oh, wow, incredible."

***

Way too long. I kept checking my phone to estimate how much time was left. When the old man told the fifth "I got struck by lightning" story, I was happy only because it meant that the movie had to be nearly done. It was beautifully shot and the story was interesting, I just feel that at least thirty minutes could have been trimmed off. I usually dont like Cate Blanchett, but I thought she was great here. Brad Pitt, too, although, I don't know if anyone else felt thsi way, but I thought his acting here was almost identical to that of Meet Joe Black, and the thought just kept forcing its way into my head throughout the movie. I enjoyed Pitt's acting, however; he really surprised me. And seeing him as the teenage-on-the-outside Benjamin was a throwback to Pitt circa Thelma & Louise. I did enjoy it, but I'm not sure that I can actually sit through it again.

B+

A little disappointed with it, actually. Technical aspects were great but somehow I did not connect with its overall message. A lot of which had to do with the writing. I mean, the story introduced two characters who were apparently huge deals to Benjamin (The African bushman and the Piano Lady, Mrs. Maple) but yet they were largely ignored and the story went off in different directions, only to be revisited/remembered once they leave/die. A lot of the cinematography reminded me of A Very Long Engagement so I felt like there was nothing special with it as well. However, it was splendidly acted and had a nice denouement with the hummingbird and the clock. A B-plus movie probably.

Hehe interesting.

Though I would have loved it more if the button angle was actually touched upon. I was disappointed when it was just some device. They could have shown them making buttons or something, lol.

the best movie of the year and one of the most magnificent achievements of the decade.

A+

I'm at an A right now, and would be more than content if it won the Best Picture Oscar, but I need to give it a day or two of thought.

.....whoa....

it's been a somewhat weak year, to be fair. And as an achievement, you gotta take into account things like how it stands as a visual accomplishment, and how vast the story is... even the people who disliked it must appreciate what Fincher and co. pulled off.

but yeah, i loved this movie. Just like with There Will Be Blood, my #1 of 2007, it feels like an instant classic from start to finish. The only thing I didn't love about it was Blanchett, surprisingly; her character didn't fully deserve the love that Brad Pitt's wonderful Ben Button gave her.

Agreed on all counts. The film especially shines in this lacklustre year. And I thought Daisy was lucky to have Button and didnt deserve him. Though she does make it up to him in the end. And Blanchett was great in the part.

did she play the dying Daisy? If so, my opinion of her performance goes up a lot. That was very convincing, if not just as a case of amazing makeup.

A+

Definitely my favourite film of the year so far. I was touched in the final act. I'm glad this is doing excellently at the box office.

Yes she does;

http://www.reuters.com/article/entertai ... 22&sp=true

The cold and detached cynic in me really wants to hate this movie. There are some truly mindbogglingly awful things happening here - the hummingbird, hurricane Katrina (virtually the entire wrap-around segment in the hospital, actually), the pandering attempts at humor - essentially anytime it tries to become Forrest Gump 2 or Big Fish: Biggest Fish, I was ready to give up on it.

But all of that aside, I still think Fincher manages to pull it all together and offer enough beauty and truth to make it a worthwhile whole. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch, and the editing is all wrong (which is the case in most modern movies, so this is almost not even worth talking about anymore), but I'd be lying if I didn't say the aesthetic hits some rivetingly emotional and captivating notes.

Am I the only one who thought Blanchett's character almost ruined the movie?

considering you have been very vague about the film itself, it is no wonder you think that. you probably haven't seen it. because there were several emotional scenes. A or C grade. Seriously you and snack should watch movies together.

****

IMO, if the character of Daisy didn't work, the film didn't work. and it did. The bit involving Daisy's accident was fantastic.

psh. I would never call Blanchett the weakest part of a movie. ever.

well. u probably actually watched the movie, while munke was too busy giving head to the person who paid for his ticket.

please. like anyone has ever allowed monkey to give them head.

remember when corpse was a woman.


***

anyway the movie, it was fucking awesome. i'm still in love with the last scene. and i honestly think the writing was actually pretty solid. It did try to be funny, but never overly emotional.

A-/B+. A little dissapointed, I felt it never achieved the emotional level it set out in the first act. It certainly is a great film and a very beautiful one.