The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

One of 2008’s most enchanting films comes from a very unlikely source. Director David Fincher, in his third teaming with Brad Pitt, proves he can warm hearts with the best of them. Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it’s a movie that puts a spell over you for nearly three hours, and Fincher proves he is right at home in enchanting fable territory. The movie tells the tale of Benjamin (Pitt), born an 80-year-old baby who ages backwards. Over the course of the film, we see an elderly baby grow in size, eventually turning into the Brad Pitt we all know, then shrinking into infancy. His reverse aging is a wonder to behold, especially when the elderly character is the size of a 10 year old. It’s a tremendous cinematic achievement, with a decent love story at its center. Cate Blanchett costars as Benjamin’s love interest, who he must watch age as he gets younger.