The Curious Movie of Benjamin Button

Spoilers coming…

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a unique and interesting film. Think The Notebook meets Forrest Gump. I mentioned this to Ashley and Amber after the movie was over and they both looked at me like I was a raving maniac.

It’s similar to The Notebook the way in which an old woman is being read a journal written by her love interest. In both movies the female lead is in love with the diary writer for decades, some of the time with him, sometimes with another man, sometimes single. Both female leads are experiencing the journal on the last day of their lives.

It’s like Forrest Gump because it takes note of many historical events. Benjamin is born the day World War I ended and Teddy Roosevelt is present for an event. Pearl Harbor is attacked, and “a day that will live in infamy” is heard over the radio. This causes Benjamin and his tugboat “crew” to become part of the Navy. Benjamin’s captain on the tugboat has a lot in common with “Lieutenant Dan.” Hurricane Katrina also plays a part in the storyline.

Honestly, the movie wasn’t as memorable as The Notebook and it cannot touch Forrest Gump. The makeup, however, was astounding. The only thing I don’t understand was why the old-looking Benjamin looked JUST like an old Brad Pitt would, yet the 10- year-old version looked nothing like a young Brad.

For the first forty five minutes or so the movie had a lot of potential and the entire movie contained some “heartwarming” moments; but ultimately it fell short and ended abruptly. For a three hour long movie I was definitely expecting something a little more satisfying before the credits began. I also have a problem with Cate Blanchett. I just see Galadriel.

If you’re a huge Brad Pitt fan, check this one out. If not, just watch Forrest Gump again instead.

Edit: Turns out Eric Roth wrote the screenplay for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as well as Forrest Gump.