RetroReview - THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Synopsis: Just after the turn of the century, a baby is born with all the signs of old age. Growing up an old man, Benjamin Button ages backwards, destined to live his life getting younger as those around him age. As soon as he's mature enough, he sets out to see the world, encountering new experiences as he goes...

Review: A staggering technical achievement and a visual treat, Button is rarely more than the sum of its well-polished parts. Gorgeous cinematography, sets and amazing CGI aside, the film is a victim of its own style, sacrificing character for spectacle.

The joking 'Forrest Gump with A Levels' metaphor is strikingly accurate; the tale of a unique individual told with a more visual flair but with a fraction of the heart. Emotion rarely encroaches on the proceedings, leaving an audience feeling hollow and empty. There is little tragedy felt when Benjamin realises, and indeed meets, his final fate, nor is there joy, just bemusement at the inevitable climax.

Performances are uniformly excellent, the standout of course being Brad Pitt, managing to capture childlike innocence and wonder as on old man and world weariness as he approaches an elderly childhood. Blanchett is as wonderful as ever, despite her character being a spoiled whiner for the early half of the film, as is Tilda Swinton in a role too small for her talents.

A few standout sequences are worthy of note, most of all a short discussion of coincidence and fate which sees several characters intertwining days and how each knock on effect can culminate in disaster. But it's over far too quickly, resuming an otherwise very straightforward narrative. The only emotional beat that came close to touching me was the subplot with Button's estranged biological father, which culminates in a genuinely moving moment.

However, the vaunted tagline of 'Life must be lived backwards to be understood forwards' is irrelevant - managing to be neither implicit, explicit or subtle, there are little life lessons to be gleaned here other than 'life life to the full' and 'don't be ashamed of who you are'. A close-to-three-hour runtime and slow burning pace is to the film's detriment; shaving an hour would give the film far more impact.

It is far from David Fincher's best work - perhaps his most impressive from a visual stance, but sitting alongside Panic Room and The Game as technically proficient but ultimately empty fare.

To say I was disappointed would be fair, though I did enjoy the film - just not as much as I was hoping I would.