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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
643 days ago
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.
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643 days ago
Thanks Ligaya and joliepittfanatic for your responses. Have a great weekend!
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642 days ago
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=
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642 days ago
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.
Reply