The Curious Case of Benjamin Button review (DVD release May 5th)
May 4, 2009 by Sherry
For those of you who are waiting to buy your own copy of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (or perhaps rent it to see it for the first time), don’t forget that it comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray May 5th.
A PR contact at Paramount was kind enough to contact me a few weeks ago to offer me an advance copy of the movie to watch and review. It came last week and I was finally able to devote some time to watching it last night. Since I had been unable to see it in theaters because of where I live (we usually get movies in both languages, but my nearest theater only showed it in dubbed French so I skipped it), I was very happy to get a chance to see it after waiting for so long.
At the risk of stating the obvious, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an absolutely fantastic movie. The filming is beautiful, the story is inspiring and manages to be heart-warming and gut-wrenching at the same time, and the acting on all parts is wonderful. Brad plays Benjamin so convincingly, but he’s not alone. All the major roles were perfectly played. I loved Taraji P. Henson so very much, she was the epitome of a loving mother, and Cate Blanchett as Daisy was one of the best casting decisions ever. Tilda Swinton had a fabulous role as well. He wasn’t talked about very often in all the articles written about the movie, but Jared Harris as Captain Mike was one of my favorite characters.
This is most definitely not an action movie in any way. The only action in it is in a very short two-minute scene during the war. This is the kind of movie that simply tells a beautiful story. It’s a fairly long film, coming in at almost three hours, but in all honesty I never noticed the time. At one point I looked up at the counter on my DVD player and couldn’t believe it was already an hour and a half in because it didn’t even feel like an hour had passed yet.
I love when a movie can bring out different emotions, and this one definitely did. There are moments where I laughed and moments where I cried, and in between I was just in awe of both this wonderful character, Benjamin, and of Brad for playing the role so well.
As far as effects go, everything I’d heard was true. It was flawless. The hints of Brad under all the makeup as an old man (an old man who was really only seven years old) were shocking. When he started to turn into the Brad Pitt we know now, all I could think was how he is such an incredibly beautiful man. While Brad hasn’t aged as much as his character yet, time has definitely been kind to him because he just looks better and better as he gets older. What I wasn’t prepared for was when Benjamin gets older yet looks so much younger than he is. I hadn’t realized that they used makeup and effect to make Brad look younger as well – do you remember the Pringles commercial he did? At one point in the movie he looks like that again and it’s just… well, it’s stunning really to see that in present day
The overall message in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is inspiring. Even when parts of it get sad, it’s still uplifting. The whole moral of the story is that we need to take control of our lives and do whatever it is that we want to do most, be the people we want to be, and that we can do that at any time, no matter where we are age-wise.
When it was over, all I could really do was keep saying, “wow” over and over. It was almost midnight when it finished and I have to get up at 6:30 during the week, so I didn’t have a chance to watch any of the bonus features yet. However, the DVD also comes with the option to watch the movie with David Fincher’s commentary. There’s a second disc too, which contains behind-the-scenes of the visual effects and makeup, a step-by-step look at Brad’s aging process, interviews, still galleries, and the creative process that Fincher uses on set. I love bonus features so I’m eager to watch some of them!
Also, for those who are curious (no pun intended!), the Shiloh scene happens around 2:20.
I can’t recommend this movie strongly enough, I think everyone should see it. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a timeless – literally, in this case – story of love and life. The love story between Benjamin and Daisy is so beautiful that it just might even make the most cynical person believe.
Are you buying the DVD?
Images: Newscom
hello sherry! how are you?
i’m pretty busy right now because my exams are soon, but it’s always a pleasure to come here and to see all the great things you write!
i can’t wait to buy this dvd!
you know, we are often worried about the bad things some people say about brad, angie and their family, but the other day, i went to a website about fernando alonso and his girlfriend (raquel del rosario), and you can’t imagine what people said about this lovely couple!
they are such great people, shy people, nice people but some jealous people have always some bad things to say, it’s sad!
Sherry, what an honor for Paramount to ask you to review this movie. Is it because of your association with Pittwatch? I believe that your website is becoming very popular. And you must take all the credit for that. Now for CCBB my son-in-law is getting it and we will be watching it all together. I am a big reader and watch very few movies, but I can hardly wait for this one.
Mary Ann, it is indeed. I feel very lucky! I know I only know you as much as you share in the comments here on PittWatch, but just based on what you’ve written over the past years I’m positive that you’re going to absolutely LOVE this movie. I’m working on convincing my husband to watch it with me next weekend (but first he has to take me to see the new Star Trek movie, which is the only thing I really want for Mother’s Day!) because I have a feeling that even though it’s not an action film he’ll enjoy the story too.
It reminded me in some ways of Forrest Gump, the way that it’s not a jam-packed exciting movie but just tells the amazing story of an interesting person’s life.
Great movie.
you are very lucky Sherry! i think they believe that pittwatch is not like the other sites who reports everything even if the news isn’t reliable and your posters aren’t t.r.a.s.h. talking whenever there is some misunderstanding. i am so happy for you and the site Sherry.
btw, what copy did they send you Sherry? i think they have a 2 disc special. what are the features of the special edition? i’m confused on what to buy but nevertheless, i can’t wait to have my own copy tomorrow.
Melodie, good luck on your exams!
Am looking forward to having my own copy too, def picking up the Special 2 disc version! Wish I had blu ray
Hello to JP fans. Indeed, I will definitely buy the dvd. I saw it before and the reason why I’m buying it is to see Shiloh I did not really see her it went so fast. I miss Shi last picture that I saw her she was wearing cutie dress when the family went to go food shopping. Again the movie is outstanding.
hopefully we should get new pics soon of angie filming in albany,NY over the past weekend just gone, and maybe pics of brad at the chris cornell concert in L.A over this past weekend.
Thank you for the lovely movie review, Sherry. I have pre-ordered my copy of “Benjamin Button” and am really looking forward to the special features. It is an amazing movie and shows how Brad Pitt has grown and matured as an actor, which is highlighted in his heartfelt performance. Being an adopted child myself, I was moved by Queenie’s relationship with her unusual son and felt closer to my mother from watching this touching story. I definitely recommend this to anyone who hasn’t seen it yet.
What a great honor,Sherry!!!
I know I’m not a commenter in your side for a long time(I’m checking for Brad and Angie’s news here for a long time though,I just never comment cause I thought my English was not good enough,cause I’m from Greece)and I find it really special.It’s a lot better than the other sides!It’s one of my 2 favorite sides(within Randi’s Brad Pitt Watch).You sure deserve this honor!
As for the movie,I saw it in theaters and I can only soooooo agree with your review!!!It’s a great movie!Personally (cause I’m 20 years old)this movie made me appreciate time and youth more!
I can’t wait to buy the DVD!!!
P.S.,Melodie,I’m busy, cause my exams are soon too and I can totally understand you!!!Good luck with your exams!!!
HI!!!! My daughter is giving me this Buttons DVD for Mother s Day!!! Cant wait to see it.. I havent seen it…. I m excited!!!!
stratoula: thank you so much!
Sherry, i didn’t understand it! you are so lucky, but you deserved it!
Snowy: you’re lucky too! in belgium, the dvd ‘ll be available in july i think… so i’ll take my mother to the restaurant for her mother day!
what do you think the kids’ll give to angie? last year they gave her a necklace with a revolver or something like that, it isn’t?
People mag has a $3 coupon for CCOBB
it expires on May 19th.
I’m getting the Criterion Blu-Ray special edition tomorrow! I can’t wait to not only see the movie again, but I’m really excited about all the extras on the special edition.
I loved this movie too. I definitely will buy this DVD.
Brad was supposely in LA attending a friend’s wedding. According to a poster at JJ.
by Celebuzz on May. 4, 2009 02:00 PM / 1 Comment
Brad Pitt, David Arquette and Courteney Cox: Cornell, Yes!
WireImage
If there’s one man with the ability to bring Jennifer Aniston’s ex-husband and longstanding best friend together peacefully for one night, it’s Chris Cornell.
The former Soundgarden warbler played a show at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre on Sunday night, treating the crowd to both favorite tracks from his back catalog and new songs from Scream, his collaboration with producer Timbaland.
Among those in attendance for the performance were Courteney Cox and her hubby David Arquette, along with some guy named Brad Pitt.
“During the beginning of the show Courteney and David hung out in the lobby by the bar for while chatting with some friends,” an eyewitness tells Celebuzz. “Meanwhile, Brad was inside, enjoying the show. He was right among the people, and no one was really bothering him too much.”
The source adds, “[Pitt] stayed for the entire show, encore and all, and left with the crowd. He didn’t even try to slip out early. His body guard wasn’t with him, just a driver.
Pitt’s fondness for Cornell’s work extends back some years. In 2004, he told Cinema Confidential, “I’m a big Chris Cornell addict, anything he does.”
Meanwhile, Brad’s current lady, Angelina Jolie, is all the way on the other end of the country, filming Salt.
Wonder if Cox texted her gal-pal Aniston, letting her know where she could find Brad?
by Celebuzz on May. 4, 2009 02:00 PM
Brad Pitt, David Arquette and Courteney Cox: Cornell, Yes!
WireImage
If there’s one man with the ability to bring Jennifer Aniston’s ex-husband and longstanding best friend together peacefully for one night, it’s Chris Cornell.The former Soundgarden warbler played a show at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre on Sunday night, treating the crowd to both favorite tracks from his back catalog and new songs from Scream, his collaboration with producer Timbaland. Among those in attendance for the performance were Courteney Cox and her hubby David Arquette, along with some guy named Brad Pitt. “During the beginning of the show Courteney and David hung out in the lobby by the bar for while chatting with some friends,” an eyewitness tells Celebuzz. “Meanwhile, Brad was inside, enjoying the show. He was right among the people, and no one was really bothering him too much.”The source adds, “[Pitt] stayed for the entire show, encore and all, and left with the crowd. He didn’t even try to slip out early. His body guard wasn’t with him, just a driver.Pitt’s fondness for Cornell’s work extends back some years. In 2004, he told Cinema Confidential, “I’m a big Chris Cornell addict, anything he does.”Meanwhile, Brad’s current lady, Angelina Jolie, is all the way on the other end of the country, filming Salt.Wonder if Cox texted her gal-pal Aniston, letting her know where she could find Brad?
Sure Angie and kids missed Brad but it is nice to see him spend time with friends. After all they are not joined at the hip.
My hats off to you Mr. Pitt, you handle this movie thing well. You should have won the Oscar, it’s okay you are still a WINNER!!! I love looking at you and your Angie’s work it is really great, both of you handle things with such grace. There are a lot of imitators that try to duplicate but there are only two real that is you, Brad and Anglina, GOD BLESS.
Brad you are a WINNER!!!!
wow sherry! congratulations!
i liked the story of CCOBB!
it’s like your life story backwards..
it make you appreciate everything around
especially the people you loved most..
by the way guys! Angie has 3 nominations for the upcoming MTV.. According to US magazine, “The actress, 33, scored three MTV Movie Award nominations, including “Best Kiss” for her lip-lock with James McAvoy in Wanted. She is also up for “Best Female Performance” and “Best WTF Moment,” a new category, for her “curved bullet kill scene.”
SHERRY CONGRATS AGAIN!
gena- Um, that post didn’t say anything about a wedding. Rather, it referred to some concert or something. Anyway, I’m glad that whoever posted that was able to refrain from re-hashing what happened in 2005, which usually seems to be brought up in these sorts of situations (i.e. being in the same room as JA or someone close to her).
i totally agree. everyone who loves good plot should watch it!! and i am still waiting for the dvd. is it on? here in australia it hasn’t