The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Jan 3rd, 2009 by Ashley
Much to my surprise, I learned it at the end of the film that it was adapted from a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. (Right, I didn’t do any the so-called “homework” before I went for it.) However, the two stories are completely different. You might as well watch the movie with a fresh mind, without having a fixed idea of how the mystery about Benjamin Button ought to work.
If you’re interested, you can read the short story here, or the plot summary here.
David Fincher’s (director of Zodiac, Panic Room, Fight Club) adaptation was far more gentle than the original piece. Eric Roth totally romanticized the story. I like the way they unveiled the life that Benjamin Button had and made everything cleared at the end. It’s a pity that Brad Pitt was completely overpowered by Cate Blanchett. You can’t really blame him, can you. Afterall, he was up against the QUEEN; what chance did he have? But still, I think there are better choices than Brad Pitt. For one thing, he doesn’t really look that young even after the makeup and computer effects. Unlike Cate, who was head over heels ravishing! Plus his performance was dull for me.
Some people said it’s boring. I reckon that the pace was a bit slow comparing to the standard today. However, I think it’s just right for this story. And I think people should relearn the ability to appreciate things at its destined pace.
Queen Cate! (curtsey)
If you’d like to read one more novel about living backwards, try this:
The Confessions of Max Tivoli (by Andrew Sean Greer)
(也有中譯本,《愛情的謎底》,譯文品質頗令人詬病就是了。)
its premise is straight out of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story. :)
Cate Blanchett with a southern accent FTW; but Benjamin Button kept dragging on, always pausing dramatically on Brad Pitt’s face, a lot like Meet Joe Black, FTL