Just got back from seeing Benjamin Button- Page 2

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/29/08 at 10:56pm

When you look at the other movies Fincher has done it's AMAZING that he had BB in him. The more I think about the movie, the more I liked it.

[Madcap Maisie]

Posted: 12/29/08 at 11:01pm

I'm planning on seeing this tomorrow...is it worth my 7 bucks?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/29/08 at 11:15pm

I totally get how this movie would run the gamut of opinions. I pretty much agree with everything Auggie said. It was long and overwrought, but I found it for the most part really unsentimental, which made the last twenty minutes or so really hit me with a wallop.

Blanchett was incredible. Simply incredible. I really bought her at every age she was supposed to be playing. Very few actors can pull that off.

I thought Taraji P. Henson took what could have been a stock role and brought so much warmth and humanity to it.

I really expected to not care for it, but it left a really deep impression on me. I think it's flawed for sure, but it hit me in the heart rather than the head, so I'm willing to forgive it its shortcomings.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 11:02am

I really expected to not care for it, but it left a really deep impression on me.

I didn't expect not to care for it, but I like it even more after a few days' reflection than I did right after seeing it. "Left a deep impression" is the perfect way to put it.

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 11:38am

I saw it yesterday, and I loved it. It was so beautiful with wonderful performances, and I was fighting back the tears in the theater. I never really noticed the length because there's always stuff happening and I never felt a lull.

It's not for everyone, but I think it's worth it to see in the theaters.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 11:43am

I sobbed hysterically for the last twenty minutes or so.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 11:52am

PRS and bestie, thank you for thoughtful and insightful reviews. You both put words to many of my feelings about the film. "Quietly astonishing" and "unsentimental" are wonderful descriptors. PRS, like you, the last 20 minutes hit me so unexpectedly.

Now, as good as your reviews are, a friend from college, Sarah K., had the best description yet: "Benjamin Button is like a f*!&able Forrest Gump!"

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 11:55am

I would be quick to add this is one of the most successful film adaptations of Fitzgerald's work to date.

I'm sure that has to do with the fact that, aside from retaining the name and the basic plot outline, Eric Roth and Robin Swicord changed, altered, or threw out nearly every aspect of Fitzgerald's text. I'm not trying to sound like a stickler or a formalist here--and I did greatly enjoy the film--but I doubt a straight adaptation of the original story would have worked as well as this loose one.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 11:56am

It's in streaming video online already. Someone burned their "for award consideration only" copy.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 12:01pm

That's how I saw it.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 12:50pm

I've only read Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY, when I was far too young and I have few memories of it. But if the film of BENJAMIN BUTTON is in any way indicative of Fitzgerald's writing then I won't be reading his work anytime soon.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 12:59pm

Ha. I don't know if I would have been able to sit through in the theater. Watching the screener copy allowed me to take breaks when I needed to, because it is damn long.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 1:15pm

Oh, wow! Somebody's getting kicked out of the Academy. Or a guild. They don't even ask questions. They trace it, then you're immediately thrown out for life (even if you didn't copy it yourself), and then they call that little group known as the FBI, and they take over.

Fun!

As far as Fitzgerald's writing, this is the story, but it's not his writing at all. It's a loose adaptation, as AC126748 pointed out.

Still, the story is the star here.

And the fact that Roscoe hates it completely convinces me of its quality!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 1:53pm

If it was a big star that copied his or her screener, would they let them off, kind of like how they always get to talk longer during their acceptance speeches?

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 2:04pm

And the fact that BB is such a total waste of time and resources convinces me that it will win the Oscar for Best Picture!

Updated On: 12/30/08 at 02:04 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 2:06pm

LOL

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 12:50am

I really liked it. Better than DOUBT, but not as good as WALL-E, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, and THE DARK KNIGHT.

[violet72]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 11:23pm

I saw this NYE and I thought it was good, but it was too long. I thought the direction was great. Brad Pitt was good but this year there are so many strong male roles I don't think he will get nominated. I think Dicaprio should be nominated over him (with Langella, Penn, Rourke). Kate Blanchette was very good as well, but if someone gets nominated from this movie it will be Taraji P. Henson. Overall it had it's weaknesses, but the end really impressed me

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 11:28pm

but if someone gets nominated from this movie it will be Taraji P. Henson

Do you really think so? I thought she was great, but I worry it's a performance that will get overlooked.

[Q]

Posted: 1/3/09 at 12:26am

PRS - I worry that you worry . . .

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/3/09 at 4:56am

Well, if that's all I have to worry about, I guess I should count my blessings.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 1/3/09 at 9:32am

Ms. Henson was entirely fine in every way, but she only did what pretty much any competent actress would have done with the part. She'll probably be nominated, I guess, but I don't see why folks are so impressed with her performance.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/3/09 at 11:08am

I thought Henson was terrific, and I'm glad there is Oscar buzz for her. Entertainment Weekly predicts she'll be one of the five Supporting Actress nominees. Hope so!

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/19/09 at 9:15pm

I thoroughly enjoyed the film. I don't think it should get any acting awards, but maybe artistic ones.

It was filmed beautifully. The light, the tones, the art direction. Gorgeous. And the story was so interesting that the length of the film didn't bother me.

Sure, they were playing Beatles music in the fifties, but big deal.

I don't see it winning any major awards, but I liked it-VERY unique story.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/19/09 at 9:39pm

Oh-here's something weird. SPOILERS





During the segment where all those events happened which led to Daisy getting hit by the car-well, while I was watching it, something that I use to prop up my window fell out of the window and down 5 stories to the street. It's the hard drive from an old computer. It's the size of a vcr cassette and very very heavy metal.

.When I heard it hit the ground, I was relieved it didn't land on anyone. I looked out the window and some guy was looking down at it, and then up at me. Once I was sure no one was hurt, I figured I'd better go down and get it, since anyone could take it and know every bit of info in my life.

I ran down there and the two guys were standing there, outside of Julius Bar. Why am I posting this, lol? Because they told me the thing fell right next to him. If he were a foot over, he would be dead. Whew! After promising that I wouldn't use it any more to hold up my window, I apologized and went back in. I could have been talking to the police or at a hospital, had things happened a tiny bit differently. Just like in the movie. At that very same time.