Benjamin Button keeps pulling in the glowing reviews
November 26, 2008 by Sherry
So far it’s been one good review after another for Brad Pitt’s upcoming The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I’m sure there are some less-than-shiny reviews somewhere, but I haven’t seen them. Overall it seems that everyone who has attended special screenings has found the movie charming and wonderful.
Variety has a particularly nice review about the movie.
This odd, epic tale of a man who ages backwards is presented in an impeccable classical manner, every detail tended to with fastidious devotion. An example of the most advanced technology placed entirely at the service of story and character, this significant change-of-pace from director David Fincher poses some daunting marketing challenges, even with Brad Pitt atop the cast. Strong critical support will be needed to swell interest in this absorbing, even moving, but emotionally cool film, which is simultaneously accessible and distinctive enough to catch on with a large public if luck and the zeitgeist are with it.
What I found particularly telling is the part where it’s mentioned that the movie is just under three hours but the time passes quickly anyway. If a movie can run that long without making you want to yawn and check your watch every ten minutes, if you don’t start asking, “when is this going to be OVER?!” then it’s a gripping story that pulls you in. Apparently Benjamin does exactly that.
Another striking part of the review is this:
The extent to which Fincher and his vast team of collaborators have succeeded in their storytelling can be seen by the fact that one comes out of the film thinking about the characters and narrative intent, not the admittedly amazing aging effects and other technical achievements.
What a great thing to say about someone’s movie. Special effects are wonderful and have advanced so dramatically over the years, but a movie is still primarily about storytelling and if the story overshadows the effects, that is an excellent amount of praise.
(I saw Jumper rather eagerly, and yes, the effects were stunning. But the story wasn’t there. I never really got the point of the movie in the end and I think that they were so focused on making it look good that they never bothered to make sure the STORY was good. I’m so glad Brad’s movie seems to have avoided that!)
The review doesn’t give away any spoilers to anyone who hasn’t read the F. Scott Fitzgerald story, so please feel free to check it out and comment with your thoughts.
Image used with permission: Newscom
Yep. I hear the reviews have been excellent. I don’t want to pour on the sugar, but I am in awe of how much he and Angie have accomplished in their film work and humanitarian projects.
He’s doing movies that I think he is going to very proud of. And his family.
Thanks, Sherry. Another good movie to look forward to. Brad and Angie have accomplished a lot this year: two great movies with Oscar potential, humanitarian work, and the arrival of the twins! What else can one ask for really!
I read somewhere that Shiloh is also in the movie. Not sure if its true.
just a reminder for u.k fans. a culture show special on angelina jolie is on tonight at 7 till 7:30 on BBC2 .
It´s always nice to read that their movies are getting great reviews. TCCOBB sure is a very good movie. At least it gives a good chance to see what Brad will look like when he grows old! In real life he sure will look like his dad who at the age of 67 still looks darn good looking. This year -2008-has been a good year for Brad and Angie both professionally and personally. Their movies (Changeling for Angie and TCCOBB for Brad) have received very good reviews and are already been tipped of as possible Oscar nominees. And personally because they had these healthy, beautiful twins:Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline. But even thought either one of them wouldn´t get an Oscar nominations or win the trophies they have much more precious things in their lives:their six adorable children. They mean more to them than any award in this world. God bless the Jolie-Pitt family!
Thanks for putting this up, Sherry. I posted a number of raves, including the Variety one, in the “CCBB trailer” thread but they’re under moderation.
Here are a few other great reviews. I won’t post the URLs in hopes of not getting moderated:
nypost.com, Lou Limenick,, Oscar Watch: ‘Benjamin Button,’ One Classy Movie, Takes the Lead: If you subscribe to the theory that the film with the most potential Oscar nominations is the frontrunner, which I usually do, then “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which I saw last night at MOMA, is the clear-cut leader for Best Picture. There are 10 or more possible nods here, including Best Actor for Brad Pitt and Best Actress for Cate Blanchett. . .
hollywoodreporter.com, Kirk Honeycutt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: An intimate epic about love and loss that is pure cinema. Superbly made and winningly acted by Brad Pitt in his most impressive outing to date. . .
incontention.com, Kristopher Tapley, Let me just say I can’t imagine less than 10 nominations. So if you’re keeping count, that’s 13. Brad Pitt does not blow the role of Benjamin Button out of the water and perhaps he underplays it a bit too much. But it is great to see him happy to get out from underneath his star persona, and with the right level of support, he could make it 14.
And the Oscar-ologists have always had CCBB as sure thing BP nominees, with Brad and Fincher either as sure thing or major threat nominees. Changeling, Angelina, and Clint used to be sure things. Changeling has fallen out completely (some, we’d agree, thought it was unfairly criticized); Clint’s best chance is Gran Torino; Angelina is still in a few’s top 5 but dropped into most’s major threat category.
god bless the JP family. i’m sure the oscar nomination would mean a lot to brad. i hope angie gets a nomination too. let’s keep our fingers crossed.
can anyone tell me when the oscars are?
I can’t wait to see this movie, very good reviews happy for Brad, best pictue or best actor will be just fine, the icing on the cake, hope they both get Oscar nom for thier work. Their movies has evolve into such good life experiences and storytelling, proud to be a fan.
Sofia, the Oscars are Feb. 22. The awards timeline is below:
UPDATED: I’ve added the all-important critics groups’ awards. I checked the official websites and the combined timeline for the Oscars, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards is:
Tues. Dec. 2, 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards Nominations announced.
Dec. 4, 2008- National Board of Review (announcing),
Dec. 8, 2008 – Washington Critics
Dec. 9, 2008 - Broadcast Film Critics Assn. (nominating),
Dec. 9, 2008 - Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. (voting)
Dec. 10, 2008 - New York Film Critics Circle (voting
December 11, 2008, Thursday, 5:00 a.m. - GOLDEN GLOBES Nominations announcement of “The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards”
Dec. 14, 2008 – Boston Critics
Dec. 15, 2008 - San Francisco Critics
Dec. 15, 2008 –Toronto Critics
Thursday, December 18, 2008 - Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations Announced at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.
January 11, 2009, Sunday - Presentation of “The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards” Live telecast on NBC Television at 8 p.m. EST
Thursday, January 22, 2009: Oscar nominations announced 5:30 a.m. PT, Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®
Monday, February 2, 2009: Oscar Nominees Luncheon
Saturday, February 7, 2009: Scientific and Technical Achievement Oscar Awards presentation
Sat. Feb. 21, 2009 - Film Independent`s Spirit Awards ceremony. Broadcast live on IFC with an edited re-broadcast on AMC.
Sunday, February 22, 2009: 81st Annual Academy Awards presentation.
I love all the reviews. It’s on everyone of the critics must see list it seems.
Paramount has added additional viewing dates for those critics haven’t seen it but want to see it!
Ty so much ligaya i appreciate it.
I am looking forward to this movie. Brad and Angie have so much to be proud of.
Ligaya, many thanks for the information and the reviews. I’m a little bit confused. When Changeling was premiered, there was lots of talking about Oscar nomination for best director, best picture and best actress. Why has it fallen out completely now? The movie is not shown here yet, but from what I heard it is a very good one. I would be very sad if Clint and Angie are not even nominated for Oscars.
Fan from Vietnam, Shiloh is in the movie. In the 1st or 2nd trailer, she’s sitting on the curb with Brad and lets go of a balloon. The story was that the baby the producton hired wouldn’t stop crying and Brad had the idea about using Shiloh.
Changeling is an excellent movie. I think AMH and Angelina’s performance as Mariane are better, others may think the other way around. I would say it’s a home run, and AMH is a grand slam.
The competition is strong this year for BP/BD/BA/BA, that’s why most oscarologists have dropped Changeling from their predicted top 5. Doesn’t mean they WON’T be for sure.
I’m in the grip of la grippe so I’ll give a sketchy outline then fill it in more on Saturday- when I hope I’ll be better.
1. Near universal acclaim at Cannes
2. Shock at first negative reviews from New York Film Festival
3. (Various reasons for negative response)
4. Overall mixed critical reviews/ratings, higher user ratings
5. Good but not boffo box office
6. Team X-Vogue-NYT-Guardian/Observer
Thanks, Ligaya. I see. So what is the general negative response about, the directing, Angie’s performance or the story line? Anyway, enjoy your Holiday!
They really can’t argue about the story line since it’s true - they argue about how it’s presented, the focus or lack of it, some don’t like the directing and/or performance, some are anti-Clintilina or think they’re over-rated, some are contrarian and went against the early raves on principle, some stand to make lots of $$$ (NYT, LAT), some are just clueless, dunces and dunderheads(!).
AND THERE’S JUST AS MANY AND MORE WHO LOVED IT. More tomorrow . . .
Variety - Sat., Nov. 22, 2008, 9:36am PT
Italian auds and critics agreed over Clint Eastwood’s Angelina Jolie starrer “Changeling,” which grossed $1.6 million from 299 runs for a respectable $5,402 per-location average. “Changeling” got off to a slow start in France — where Eastwood is something of a national hero — but made up for it. In its first five days, pic earned $2.8 million from 417.
Sun., Nov. 16, 2008, 10:08am PT
Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling” launched respectably in its first foreign openings with $4.7 at 727 in four markets, led by a $2.7 million French debut that came in just behind the third frame of “Solace.”
Latest EW, 12/5/08 [some covers Meryl Streep, some Twilight vampire guy], has BP faves. Probably available on website. CCBB #1, no Changeling. Eight for Best Actor/Actress - Angelina and Brad both in 6th position.
Keep track of ups/downs/whys:
awardsdaily.com
incontention.com
http://andthewinneris.blog.com/
awardscircuit.com
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/awards/contenders/
I just want to expound (I hope that’s the right word!) on Ligaya’s response to Fan from Vietnam. It hasn’t actually been confirmed that Shiloh is in TCCOBB (but it hasn’t been denied, either!), but the baby in the scene from the trailer that Ligaya mentioned IS wearing a white dress that looks pretty much identical to the one Shi was seen wearing in a set of pictures of her on the TCCOBB set with Brad.
Thanks Ligaya and joliepittfanatic for your responses. Have a great weekend!
Clint, you just made my day by Chris Tookey
Excerpts:
It contains a wonderfully passionate, sometimes ferocious leading performance by Angelina Jolie, who deserves to be a formidable contender for the Best Actress Oscar.
The film also develops into a coruscating critique of male sexism.
All the same, it’s not too tough a watch, for there are elements of black humour in the bone-headedness of men unwilling to countenance the possibility that a woman might know her own child better than they do.
Changeling is among the finest films Eastwood has made, and an all too rare example of a Hollywood film that’s been made for grown-ups.
There isn’t a weak performance, but Jolie is the revelation. She shows miraculous depth as an ordinary mother who doesn’t want to make waves, but is then forced into situations where she has to make a stand.
The film is also a splendid expose of political corruption. Though male chauvinism isn’t as toxic today, much of the subject matter, including its warning against allowing those in power to cover up mistakes, establish a police state and spin the news against anyone who crosses them, remains as powerful and relevant as ever.
I’m always wary of that overused word ‘masterpiece’, but this is one film that deserves the accolade.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-1090074/Clint-just-day.html?ITO=
UNDER MOD:
Mail.Onlline: Clint, you just made my day by Chris Tookey
Excerpts:
It contains a wonderfully passionate, sometimes ferocious leading performance by Angelina Jolie, who deserves to be a formidable contender for the Best Actress Oscar.
There isn’t a weak performance, but Jolie is the revelation. She shows miraculous depth as an ordinary mother who doesn’t want to make waves, but is then forced into situations where she has to make a stand.