Review of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) by Jess L — 06 Feb 2013

Could this be the biggest letdown film of 2008? I'm placing it at the top of my list. The first half of the movie you'd be forgiven for nodding off, it is woeful. The brilliant use of effects entertains for a nano second before you start to realise that there's something not quite right about this film. The entire (and definitely too long) 2 hours 48 minutes running time I sat there trying to figure out what was causing the sour taste left from watching this, and even now I don't quite know. There was no connection to the characters, no investment in their lives, the whole story felt somewhat disconnected. As others have said the pacing is off, and I was really starting to enjoy the end when it all of a sudden started feeling rushed as it neared the finish line.

I think the cut between the dying Daisy and Benjamin's diary/flashback to the events doesn't drive the film at all and merely detracts from any connection that begins to develop between audience and character. This was a film that was built up way too much I would not recommend it and I dread to think of how many Oscar noms it is going to rack up (mind you it deserves one most definitely for special effects).