The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray] | ![The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oqZuppTcL._SL160_.jpg)
| Director: David Fincher
Actors: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Elias Koteas, Julia Ormond, Phyllis Somerville
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy Used: $10.49
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Seller: goHastings
Rating:  250 reviews
Sales Rank: 1253
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Blu-ray
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 166 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 143074
UPC: 097361430744
EAN: 0097361430744
ASIN: B001U0HBQ0
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: May 5, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 5-MAY-2009
Media Type: Blu-Ray
Amazon.com
The technical dazzle of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a truly astonishing thing to behold: this story of a man who ages backwards requires Brad Pitt to begin life as a tiny elderly man, then blossom into middle age, and finally, wisely, become young. How director David Fincher--with makeup artists, special-effects wizards, and body doubles--achieves this is one of the main sources of fascination in the early reels of the movie. The premise is loosely borrowed from an F. Scott Fitzgerald story (and bears an even stronger resemblance to Andrew Sean Greer's novel The Confessions of Max Tivoli), with young/old Benjamin growing up in New Orleans, meeting the girl of his dreams (Cate Blanchett), and sharing a few blissful years with her until their different aging agendas send them in opposite directions. The love story takes over the second half of the picture, as Eric Roth's script begins to resemble his work on Forrest Gump. This is too bad, because Benjamin's early life is a wonderfully picaresque journey, especially a set of midnight liaisons with a Russian lady (Tilda Swinton) in an atmospheric hotel. Fincher observes all this with an entomologist's eye, cool and exacting, which keeps the material from getting all gooey. Still, the Hurricane Katrina framing story feels put-on, and the movie lets Benjamin slide offscreen during its later stages--curious indeed.--Robert Horton
Stills from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Click for larger image)
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 250
 Unknown March 14, 2010
D. Howell
am unable to review the cointent of this dvd as it was defective and stopped in the middle and would not resume.
 Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................... February 24, 2010
inframan (the lower depths)
Slowest dullest movie I've ever watched. Every character the broadest stereotype, every line a meaningless cliché. The only positive I can say is at least they didn't cast Robin Williams as the lead.
 Looking younger by the day...literally. February 21, 2010
Balaji Rajam (San Jose, CA)
Perhaps once or twice in a year, a movie comes along which can be described as lyrical. This is definitely one for 2008. Somehow the whole feel of the movie reminded me of watching "The New World" the brilliant work from Terence Mallik. Apart from having a love story as the crux, their plotlines have nothing in common. The similarity is more to do with the narrative and the willingness look more closely at the human condition than breeze over it.
David Fincher is a master craftsman. His body of work is standing testament to his abilities. Last year's underappreciated 'Zodiac' was probably one of the best films of the year. Fincher gives a demonstration in how the narrative has to adapt to the storyline. Zodiac was edge of your seat thriller (not in the conventional sense) but here he allows us to get up close and personal with Benjamin, Daisy and Quinny.
The cast is incredible. Fincher's attention to detail is evident when he has cast a terrific Julia Ormond in a minor role. Lot many drectors may have cast a lesser actress. Cate Blanchett is someone who elevates herself in every movie I have seen. She seems to constantly strive to find that extra dimension to her characters. Her Daisy evolves beautifully throughout the film not just due to brilliant special effects but also due to the way Miss Blanchett refines it with age. Taraji P Henson agan proves she is a force to be reckoned with after "Hustle & flow".
Then of course Brad Pitt. Most of the time his acting is effortless. It almost seems as if he is playing is cool collected self. But he really blossoms as the love story between him and Daisy picks up steam. He portrays a lovely blend of tenderness with the increasing confidence of a man getting younger.
If you are someone who has found him/herself losing track of time looking at a painting or any kind of art, this movie is for you. Because real art is not something you gobble up. It is more sedate approach of savouring every morsel until its real beauty strikes you deep within. This movie is just that.
Well-packaged, but silly February 19, 2010
Up North
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A lot of films have a kind of smugness or conceit built into them. This film is not only very pleased with itself, it positively drips with unfounded confidence. First, there is the main idea that initially seems kind of neat - a man is born old and gradually "grows younger" as he gets older. But as you think about it more, and as you watch the film struggle to fit the idea into its narrative, you can increasingly see the seams even as Button's wrinkles fade. For instance, why did we not see poor Ben die as an embryo? (This might have raised uncomfortable issues in the abortion debate, maybe?) Or, why was he born old but physically grew up right after he was born? I suppose not even the film makers wanted to have to depict a 5'6" "newborn". (While they didn't spare some other things we didn't need to see, I'm thankful that at least they left out this "messy" scenario.) Well, never mind. It wasn't the idea as much as it was all of the" moralizing", hardly letting up for nigh unto three hours, that made me grow gradually more annoyed. (Forgive the joke.) First, Benjamin gets "older" but he doesn't seem to get any wiser. He becomes something of a manwhore, comes home to his ...er....childhood sweetheart (a sexual athlete in her own right)...and proceeds to sleep around some more after this when he finds out she's not so innocent. Great message. Second, we were force-fed a plethora of trite aphorisms that make those of John Madden sound profound. My favorite was something along the lines of: "That's why people die, so we know how much they mean to us." Wow. Really? Or maybe I'm getting it wrong. Maybe the film was so logically, imaginatively, and morally backward on purpose so that the backward aging of the main character is matched on another level.
Some points for cinematography, makeup, and interesting music.
 awesome movie ... i wonder how come it couldn't win oscar... February 18, 2010
Flaming Spaz (Connecticut, USA)
awesome movie ... i wonder how come it couldn't win oscar...Slumdog was way too ordinary in comparison...
Showing reviews 1-5 of 250
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