Brad Pitt: The only man who needs make up to make him ugly. Lisa Hughes reviews The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button first emerged in the Jazz Age as the most surreal of F Scott Fitzgerald’s short stories. Fast forward to the present and this bizarre tale is gracing cinema screens near you and is basking in pre-Oscars glory. So how does a short story from the 1920s translate into 21st century celluloid?

This is David Fincher’s latest outing with Brad Pitt at the helm (following on from the excellent Seven and then Fight Club) and it brings Fitzgerald’s initial idea into contemporary times and gives it the now trademark Fincher makeover. To say that Hollywood has taken liberties with the original tale would be a grave understatement. A recipient of 13 Academy Award nominations, this flick is epic, stylistic to the max and bows down to the great tradition of American storytelling. Setting the scene with the contemporary catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina as the backdrop, Fincher’s movie is ambitious and is unrecognisable to Scott Fitzgerald’s short story.

Focusing on the birth of Benjamin Button as an old man and how he ages backwards, the story hinges on the shadow this birth defect casts over Benjamin’s life. With such a remarkable take on the ageing process, the plot emphasises the opportunities and disadvantages that come with both youth and age, an ironic focus considering our contemporary obsession with youth. As Hurricane Katrina rages in the background, Caroline (played by Julia Ormond), reads from Button’s diary while her mother Daisy Fuller listens from her nearby deathbed. Benjamin’s birth under “unusual circumstances” leads to his mother’s death in childbirth and to his abandonment by his father because of his monstrous appearance. Taken in by the generous Queenie, Benjamin grows up in a home for the elderly, marking a stark contrast as he himself becomes younger daily while the other residents slowly pass on.

With an all star cast of familiar faces and receiving endless critical acclaim, this movie has become one of 2009’s earliest box office smashes. Brad Pitt weighs in with a consistent performance despite the odd subject matter and makes it hard to imagine another leading man in the role. His acting is one of the best pieces he has delivered in years and his charisma onscreen is effortless. The always flawless Cate Blanchett contributes as the love interest and provides somewhat of a dramatic purpose to the rather thin plot. Playing the effervescent Daisy, Blanchett epitomises the feminine ideal with her capricious persona and contrasts with the brief appearance of Tilda Swinton, a married expatriate whom Benjamin begins a short-lived affair with. Swinton’s character is emotionally detached yet reiterates the key message about the fragility of life and the unstoppable passage of time.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a treat for the eyes as the slick production is akin to the most sophisticated ad or music video. The cinematography is impeccable, adding depth to the plot and, in particular, it adds force to Benjamin’s isolation such as in the expansive scenes of seafaring. However, the movie is simply too long for such a simple plot. Even with the added romance factor (which wasn’t a dominant theme in the novella), there isn’t enough to keep even the most avid Pitt fan’s attention focused on the screen and you will feel your mind drifting towards the end. Also, the characters remain quite empty in places, devoid of a genuine reaction to the surreal circumstances. Fincher’s movie is a melting pot of many genres, throwing light comedy, drama and heartfelt romance into the mix. Although the styles may not always sit easily together and there are many notable flaws, there is something heart warming and appealing about this movie that makes it incredibly endearing. It may not match the hype, but needless to say, the life affirming message at the core of this tale makes it critical viewing.