Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The (2008) Rank 4 Reviews

New York Observer (Rex Reed)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a monumental achievement -- not only one of the best films of the year, but one of the greatest films ever made. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at New York Observer (Rex Reed)

KyleSmithOnline.com (Kyle Smith)

Hollywood films rarely even attempt the sweep and heartbreak of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a bewitching, at times overpowering movie that seems likely to win about 50 Oscars. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at KyleSmithOnline.com (Kyle Smith)

tonymedley.com (Tony Medley)

Sure, it's probably way too long. I still believe that movies shouldn't exceed 90 minutes, and those that do are suffering from a surfeit of director's ego. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at tonymedley.com (Tony Medley)

Capital Times (Madison, WI) (Rob Thomas)

Pitt's turn is a little less involving; frankly, if Benjamin were living his life forward like everybody else, he'd be the least interesting character in the movie. But I think that's by design. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Capital Times (Madison, WI) (Rob Thomas)

Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)

It's hard to find the right words to describe the sensation I had from my theater seat, but I hope one thing is crystal clear: this is a very special movie. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)

Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)

In the title role, Pitt doesn't become recognizable as Pitt until midway through. But he gives a subtly humorous and wise and insidiously moving performance even when movie magic plants his eyes in digital faces atop other actors' bodies. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)

The Age

The film itself is a lot better than that. It's a speculative and enthralling fantasy about what it would be like to age in reverse. It was F. Scott Fitzgerald who came up with the character of Benjamin after being inspired by a remark of Mark Twain's. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at The Age

Tulsa World (Michael Smith)

Yes, the concept is as big as that, but the most immediate cinematic achievement that viewers will notice is obvious: Brad Pitt plays a character who is born with cataracts and arthritic joints, but for each day he grows older in age, his body grows a day ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Tulsa World (Michael Smith)

Denton Record Chronicle (TX) (Boo Allen)

Director David Fincher teams up with Brad Pitt for the third time and again delivers a provocative work. Eric Roth wrote the screenplay from F. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Denton Record Chronicle (TX) (Boo Allen)

eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)

Because the film is in part a journey through 20th century America as seen through the eyes of a decidedly unusual and passive individual, many people will no doubt compare "Benjamin Button" with Robert Zemeckis' 1994 hit "Forrest Gump"--ironica. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)

Denver Post (Lisa Kennedy)

There are movies that claim us in their opening minutes. Down the road, we may be able to reconsider the whys and wherefores of how truly, madly, deeply a particular crush took hold. But we will never betray our original fondness. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Denver Post (Lisa Kennedy)

Blunt Review (Emily Blunt)

The film's over two and half hours so go when you are in the mood to just escape into a fairy tale. Take a moment to search around the gorgeous sets and remember, a film like this doesn't get made these days. Wait, it does and it did. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Blunt Review (Emily Blunt)

WaffleMovies.com (Willie Waffle)

Pitt stars as Benjamin - a baby who looks like some sort of horrifying alien when he is born. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at WaffleMovies.com (Willie Waffle)

New York Post

It's a very rare movie whose sheer charm, craft and powerful emotional undercurrent disarm critical objections. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at New York Post

About.com (Rebecca Murray)

...a romantic, gentle, and magical movie. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at About.com (Rebecca Murray)

Hollywood.com

Benjamin Button is a plaintive and provocative meditation of life, death and what we do while we are here. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Hollywood.com

The Chicago Reader

Making his last will and testament, Benjamin writes, "I will go out of this world the same way I came in-alone. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at The Chicago Reader

filmcritic.com (Sean O'Connell)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button credits a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but really, screenwriter Eric Roth only lifts the basic premise of a man who is born old and ages backward. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at filmcritic.com (Sean O'Connell)

www.susangranger.com (Susan Granger)

Tantalizing, touching and timeless - an epic fable revolving around mortality. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at www.susangranger.com (Susan Granger)

Toronto Star

It's been said that the unexamined life is not worth living. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button suggests an addendum: a life lived backwards can be far more enriching. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Toronto Star

Linda Cook

It's a lengthy film at 2 hours and 45 minutes, but it's worth seeing for its unusual concept, great depiction of several decades, and wonderful acting. I'm sure this has a few awards buttoned up for next year. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Linda Cook

The Movie Boy

The concluding passages are particularly piercing from a guttural level. Akin to seeing one's life flash before his or her eyes, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is simultaneously uplifting, devastating, and achingly human. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at The Movie Boy

Examiner.com

Is Benjamin Button the best film of the year? I'm not sure, but it is definitely good enough to be. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Examiner.com

Go Memphis (John Beifuss)

Fincher makes ingenious use of his famous lead actors. Because Benjamin is introduced as an old man and Daisy as a little girl, the moviegoer has to wait a while to see the two attractive movie stars in their glamorous glory. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Go Memphis (John Beifuss)

Jam! Movies

Contemplative, sumptuous and haunting, this is one of the year's best films. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Jam! Movies

Entertainment Weekly

Yet Fincher has little time for assuring sweetness or audience caresses, not when Daisy's future is physical decay while Benjamin's is mental regression. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Entertainment Weekly

New York Times ()

At the same time, like any other love - like any movie - it is shadowed by disappointment and fated to end. In the case of "Benjamin Button," I was sorry when it was over and happy to have seen it. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at New York Times ()

PopMatters.com

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is not a movie made for a single viewing. At nearly three hours in length, its detail and depth become distant and unclear. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at PopMatters.com

not coming to a theater near you (Rumsey Taylor)

As visually splendid as the film is - and there are many moments in which the sensational concept fosters true tenderness - it's blatantly derivative of Forest Gump. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at not coming to a theater near you (Rumsey Taylor)

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)

With his usual intelligence, technical virtuosity (the reverse-aging effects are astounding) and storytelling panache, director Fincher gives the film a power and unity that make nearly three hours go by in a flash and pulls its diverse elements together ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)

Tri-City Herald (Gary Wolcott)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button becomes an ordinary movie. Don't let that minor criticism deter you. More movies should be this ordinary. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Tri-City Herald (Gary Wolcott)

FilmsInReview.com (Victoria Alexander)

Pitt's trust in David Fincher proves that both richly deserve accolades for bringing magic and poignancy without sentimentality to this fantasy tale. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at FilmsInReview.com (Victoria Alexander)

Miami Herald

But in a delicate and touching manner that is new territory for Fincher, the movie argues that life's very ephemeralness makes it a treasure worth savoring. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Miami Herald

Urban Cinefile (Louise Keller)

The fact that the central love story is convincing and surprisingly moving is entirely due to sublime performances from Pitt, Blanchett and special effect make up and technology at the highest level. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Urban Cinefile (Louise Keller)

Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) (John Wirt)

An epic story about a man who's born old but grows young, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the most beautiful movie to ever be shot in New Orleans. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) (John Wirt)

NewsBlaze (Kam Williams)

A relatively-morose morality play likely to land its share of accolades during award season provided everyone stops comparing it to Gump. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at NewsBlaze (Kam Williams)

Variety

A richly satisfying serving of deep-dish Hollywood storytelling. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Variety

Entertainment Insiders

Although "Button" clocks in at over 2 hours in length, it proves to be consistently entertaining. And considering the fact that it covers the entire life of a man from his unusual birth to his touching end, this is one case worthy of your inspection. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Entertainment Insiders

The Hollywood Reporter

An epic tale that contemplates the wonders of life -- of birth and death and, most of all, love. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at The Hollywood Reporter

Cinema Signals

While I would characterize "Button" as a major achievement, I believe I would have found it better in a 90-minute format comprised of a telescoped first part and the "adult" second portion which is really what gels dramatically for us and justifies the pr ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Cinema Signals

Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)

Shot in sepia tones and faintly dusty light, "Benjamin Button" beautifully captures a mood of nostalgic wonder, a near-century passing by as the city, like Benjamin, grows and changes. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)

Houston Chronicle

At the end you might yawn and stretch a bit, a natural response to a few hours spent in the company of a really fascinating windbag. He blabs on for too long, but he tells a darn good story. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Houston Chronicle

Mr. Brown's Movies (Michael Dequina)

Benjamin Button is indeed a curious case of a film. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Mr. Brown's Movies (Michael Dequina)

Week in Rewind

It's tempting to say more, but that's enough. The movie is, after all, about one man's curious case--best not to say another word about those curiosities, and how they conspire to make for one haunting film. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Week in Rewind

Seacoast Newspapers (NH/Maine) (Gina Carbone)

The button is a perfect symbol for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Simple and old-fashioned, yet somehow timeless. None of the cheap shortcuts of the zipper or - shudder - Velcro. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Seacoast Newspapers (NH/Maine) (Gina Carbone)

Christianity Today (Brandon Fibbs)

An artistic and narrative triumph and one of the most beautiful love stories set to screen in a very long time. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Christianity Today (Brandon Fibbs)

Film Journal International

Even if The Curious Case of Benjamin Button isn't the home run Fincher's devoted fan base was hoping for, it is a beautifully crafted movie that arrives at a destination that's ultimately worth the long journey. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Film Journal International

Aufmuth.com (Jeanne Aufmuth)

"Button" wouldn't be the success it is without the abundant gifts of Pitt and Blanchett who are asked to inherit the subtleties of childhood to old age without missing a beat. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Aufmuth.com (Jeanne Aufmuth)

ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Although the movie is presented as a series of vignettes, its full impact is not felt until the whole is absorbed. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Sydney Morning Herald (Sandra Hall)

It's a speculative and enthralling fantasy about what it would be like to age in reverse. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at Sydney Morning Herald (Sandra Hall)

E! Online

The story is replete with thoughtful detail and keen observation, and the actors know exactly how much and how little to take seriously in order to keep the fantasy alive. ...read the complete Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie review at E! Online

Critic Reviews

Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The (2008) Rank 4 Reviews

User Reviews

User Comments

RANKINGS: