And I promise to keep this as mini as possible. For a film that was slightly too long, and emotionally distant, the last half hour moved me to tears. Perhaps it was the tragic fate of the lovers, perhaps it was the sight of this old lady full of love holding this baby, or perhaps I was just in need of a good cry.For a movie about age and mortality it hardly seemed to this viewer, to celebrate life.
David Fincher needs to be commended on his vision, and indeed the film is a technical marvel, however it was missing something. Many critics have said it was a cold movie, and this simply is not true, it had warmth to spare, it just need a big ole injection of adrenaline.
Brad Pitt plays the title character in a strange and rather lifeless way. He never seems to be fully invested with living, even when he gets younger. It is as if he delivered the entire performance while on prozac.
Taraji P. Henson is wonderful and warm in the rather 'stereotypical' role of Benjamin's black adoptive mother, but is given very little to work with and therefore does not have much to do. (nothing awards worthy there I am afraid)
Blanchett seems to walk away the best in the picture, conveying wonderfully the selfishness of the early 20's, the wanting of the 30's, the battle with age of the 40's and the wise love of the later years.
The cinematography is stunning, and, again the CGI is flawless, but for a film asking questions about life and death, it seemed unable to portray either with any great insight.
Instead it portrayed how women are able to put themselves through so much grief for the ones they love. In fact this film, at least to me, is a celebration of the strength of women.
B
3 comments:
"the strength of women" - That's a line I would have never attached to Button, considering all three women seem to exist simply for/because the center male character with little or no volition of their own (the mother, the girlfriend and the 'mistress'). But then again, if it wasn't for its technical achievements I would have probably wholly disliked this film.
I agree with that, but while watching the film I was drawn to these women. For some reason people see these women as rather weak, but they were able to love without condition and that takes such strength (in my eyes at least).
I left the film feeling that Benjamin was the weak one, and his miraculous circumstances did nothing but bring out the weakness in him, and the miraculous strength in the women around him.
Cate Blanchett with a southern accent FTW; but it kept dragging on, always pausing dramatically on Brad Pitt's face, a lot like Meet Joe Black
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