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List Price: $34.98 | | Label: Criterion
Salesrank: 6026
Released: May 5, 2009 |
| Our Price: $14.12 |
| Used Price: $9.85 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 5-MAY-2009
Media Type: DVD
Description of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Two-Disc Special Edition):
The technical dazzle of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a truly astonishing thing to behold: this story of a man who ages backwards requires Brad Pitt to begin life as a tiny elderly man, then blossom into middle age, and finally, wisely, become young. How director David Fincher--with makeup artists, special-effects wizards, and body doubles--achieves this is one of the main sources of fascination in the early reels of the movie. The premise is loosely borrowed from an F. Scott Fitzgerald story (and bears an even stronger resemblance to Andrew Sean Greer's novel The Confessions of Max Tivoli), with young/old Benjamin growing up in New Orleans, meeting the girl of his dreams (Cate Blanchett), and sharing a few blissful years with her until their different aging agendas send them in opposite directions. The love story takes over the second half of the picture, as Eric Roth's script begins to resemble his work on Forrest Gump. This is too bad, because Benjamin's early life is a wonderfully picaresque journey, especially a set of midnight liaisons with a Russian lady (Tilda Swinton) in an atmospheric hotel. Fincher observes all this with an entomologist's eye, cool and exacting, which keeps the material from getting all gooey. Still, the Hurricane Katrina framing story feels put-on, and the movie lets Benjamin slide offscreen during its later stages--curious indeed.--Robert Horton
Also on the disc
Criterion offers a two-disc presentation of the 2008 Oscar-winner, stamped as "Director Approved." Hard to miss that, since David Fincher is all over the extras on this one: he provides a talkative commentary track for the 165-minute film, which leaves little doubt about his fabled involvement in every aspect of the results you see on screen, and he figures in the documentary sections contained on the second disc. Fincher is such an assured, skillful talker that he easily justifies the otherwise standard-issue collection of behind-the-scenes material. The documentary sections can be played as one epic (three hour) making-of feature, which actually lasts longer than the film itself; they are also carved up and can be played in handy parts: the origins of the project (tons of people considered making it, including Frank Oz, Ron Howard, and Spike Jonze), the flabbergasting technical trickery involved, shooting in post-Katrina New Orleans, and anything else you can think of. Especially illuminating is the step-by-step stuff about how Brad Pitt's face was motion-captured for the purposes of morphing it onto the work of body doubles--in case you're still puzzled about how all that really worked. The usual production stills and an essay by Kent Jones fill out the package. --Robert Horton
Stills from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Click for larger image)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Two-Disc Special Edition) Reviews:
Stunning Film 
2009-12-12 - I can see there are much better writers who've reviewed this film beautifully but I must take part in praising this film. I was definitely very impressed by this film. The stunning visual effects, set designs, musical scores, acting and all the multiple aspects of the film just work together so well making the film a true epic and a timeless piece. The story of a man growing younger not older is told beautifully. As mentioned in many of the other reviews, the love story between Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett is the central part of the film but the film is more about the case of Benjamin Button and how he deals with life that has dealt him an unusual set of cards. The film is about life, loss, love, forgiveness and choices. Brad Pitt was a perfect fit for this role and he plays this character with so much truth. His performance was truly moving. It's too bad that the media only focuses on his looks and personal life when, in my opinion, his talent far exceeds all of that. Cate Blanchett does a fantastic job as well. And I must reiterate what the other reviewers have mentioned, the fascinating effects of aging - it is truly well done. Without a doubt, a five-star movie.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [Blu-ray]
2009-12-07 - Liked the plot and the quality of the film transfer and HD audio by the Criterion Collection was top-notch!
Will Be Remembered for Years to Come
2009-11-29 - Wow! "Benjamin Button" is such an extraordinary movie that long after it is ended, it lingers in your thoughts. A baby born with all the characteristics of an aged man, and abandoned by his widowed father, is not expected to live. But live he does. In a twist on the normal aging process, he ages chronologically, but physically he ages backwards, becoming younger, healthier and fabulously good-looking until he reaches old age and the transformation is complete.
Most people comment about the amazing technological effects of accomplishing this physical transformation, but what gripped me was the outstanding acting. Pitt is mesmerizing in this role and it is too bad he did not win an Oscar for this performance. How he lives his life, old, disabled or in the prime of youth is inspiring. It speaks to one's will and the power to overcome any obstacles. His character's curiosity to learn as much about the world is also moving: no matter where he is or what he does, he seems to fit.
Kudos to all involved and a recommendation not to miss this exceptional work.
Great!!
2009-11-29 - This movie was a little bit long but still very good and entertaining the cast was stellar!! Rent it buy it but do see it!
A modernized version of the book 
2009-11-29 - In most cases, I prefer the book over the movie but in this case I preferred the movie version of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It is a modernized version of the book and I liked that it took the story to a deeper level that the book in short story form did not. The premise of the movie is loosely based on the book but has taken more creative liberties to expand on themes and events that didn't occur in the book. In the movie, Benjamin is born as an old white man and ages backwards but is not raised by his family and instead is abandoned at a home for the elderly and is essentially raised by a loving and nurturing black woman who lives and works there. Benjamin fits into this environment and new family well and develops relationships and an understanding of what happens as one ages normally. Benjamin is played by Brad Pitt who does a fabulous job and is easy on the eyes to watch as he gets younger. A love story and beautiful relationship develops with Cate Blanchett's character that shows their relationship and the short years that they were able to be a family and have a normal relationship. I didn't like how they ended the movie and how Benjamin chooses to live his life as he ages into infancy. This movie isn't a love story but more of a story about death and aging.
I believe that the book and the movie are about life, death and aging. Both are about finding our place in the world however we come into the world and managing to make the best of that experience. We all age in different ways and in Benjamin's case is an extreme example as he ages backwards. The premise is that he is different and has to learn how to live life to the fullest being different.
