Curiously Wonderful!
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button deserves everything it's nominated for and more. It's a terrific story, which unfolds through the eyes of a wonderful character: Benjamin. Benjamin is somewhat reminiscent in a way of Owen Meany. (A much nicer version...very wistful and full of appreciation of life and people.) It actually has that southern feel of Fried Green Tomatoes too."You're odd," says Daisy. You bet he is. But it's the odd and irregular that we long for in great story. I love great writing. And what could be better than a deathbed revelation told through the words and vignettes found in a journal of a missing person. Benjamin Button is an anomaly from birth. He is born old, and lives his life in reverse, becoming younger each day. Kate Blanchett (Daisy) is the beautiful childhood friend, who becomes his love and soulmate over the course of their parallel lives. Each night, whether near or far, they wish a soft good night to one another. Yet beyond this unfolding tale lurks death and Hurricane Katrina, both knocking all the while from the outer realm of time. This story is framed as a reminiscence and we begin with a huge clock set in 1918 in a train station somewhere in New Orleans. The clock's minute hand spins backward, and so does this tale. I fell in love with F. Scott Fitzgerald and the whole notion of writing in my own college days. But I'd never read this short story. The screenplay was so well done that my 'Doubting Thomas' sat there silently for once and even cried at the end right alongside me. Which in itself is a miracle! This movie crosses not only racial barriers, but age barriers, handicapping barriers and barriers of culture. My cup is full Benjamin. I hope you clean up! (Did somebody forget to nominate Kate?)
5 comments:
Great review- but I'm even more impressed that you embedded that YouTube clip. You've become a technological guru!!
I was sooo proud of myself for that, George!!
I'm a big 'help' button pusher! I've found that I can pretty much figure anything out these days just by using that button!!! Why didn't I think of it sooner??
Going to see The Reader tonight. Trying to see as many nominees as we can. I think this is the first time in my life I've gone to the movies two nights in a row!!
This is a great review - makes me want to go and see the film. Also how clever that a search for Kate Wynslett on Google brings your blog up right at the top. As a new blogger, but on WordPress, I'm mightily impressed. By the way - I don't suppose you know how old Kate Wynslett is do you? That's what I was googling . . .
Oh RATS, Town Mouse...oh, sorry...that was a bit unkind. Good thing I didn't say 'cats!' :) I don't know how old she is. I'm guessing 32, but I'm sure I'm dead wrong. Just saw her in Lord of the Rings momentarily the other night. Have you seen The Reader? That was some stiff competition. Thanks for stopping by. Hope to hear from you again!
No - I haven't seen The Reader. I haven't seen anything for ages. That's because we now live in the sticks - Askrigg, Wensleydale, to be precise - and the nearest cinema is about 20 miles away! Oh - and I don't like driving in the dark. What a wimp. Thinking now about satellite so I can see some of these great films. I did catch Man on Wire - brilliant.
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