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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Play trailer 1:40 Poster for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button PG-13 Released Dec 25, 2008 2h 47m Fantasy Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 256 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flickers in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer (Cate Blanchett). Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

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Critics Consensus

Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an epic fantasy tale with rich storytelling backed by fantastic performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker A sumptuous and stirring romantic drama. May 12, 2020 Full Review Namrata Joshi Outlook Plodding, facile and fails to connect. Rated: 2/4 Jan 31, 2019 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator It could have worked, had it ever snapped to life, but it doesn't. It just goes on and on and on and on and on and on. And on. You may even shake your watch to check it is still going. I know I did. Aug 29, 2018 Full Review Michael Clark Epoch Times The film was an unqualified success. Few movies lasting nearly three hours with quasi-downbeat material please both audiences and critics, yet it remains low on the lists of Pitt’s, Blanchett’s, Fincher’s, and Roth’s most notable efforts. Rated: 4/5 May 12, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review The effect, which isn’t fully grasped until absorbed in its entirety, plays like a moody fairy tale, romantic and magical, with flourishes both elegiac and unusual. Rated: 4/4 Mar 5, 2024 Full Review Cameron Meier MeierMovies.com As [Benjamin] taught us, “I hope you live a life you’re proud of, [and] if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” Rated: 5/5 Mar 3, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Paul S This movie was intriguing and heartwarming, and it was incredibly enjoyable to watch. I highly recommend it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/16/25 Full Review Mich T This movie very much brings a Forest Gump vibe, it's rather a lesson about life. Directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the movie tells the unique story of Benjamin Button, a man who ages in reverse. Born as an old man and gradually growing younger over time, Benjamin's life is filled with the same challenges, joys, and heartbreaks as anyone else's, but his unusual condition makes everything more complicated. The film explores themes like time, love, and mortality in a deeply reflective way. One of the movie's greatest strengths is its ability to blend fantasy with genuine human emotion. Even though the premise is strange, it doesn't feel like a gimmick. The movie takes its time, allowing you to really connect with Benjamin's journey. The visual effects, which show Benjamin aging in reverse, are impressive, adding to the overall believability of the story. Brad Pitt delivers a strong performance, making Benjamin a character you truly care about, and Cate Blanchett is as excellent as playing Daisy, the love of his life. However, the film can feel very slow at times, and its nearly three-hour runtime might be a bit too long for some viewers. There are moments where the story drags, especially in the middle, and a tighter edit could have helped with pacing. Despite these flaws, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a beautifully made, thought-provoking film that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It makes you reflect on the nature of time, the inevitability of aging, and how precious the moments we share with others truly are. While it's not a perfect film, its emotional depth and unique story make it one of those movies that stays with you, leaving a lasting impression. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/10/25 Full Review dieljohn c It's pretty good, the plot, the cinematography, the music, overall it's pretty good. Definitely underrated, although I personally had a problem how the plot was presented, I get that they were trying to tell a story through a memoir but I felt as if the pacing was a bit slow, I get that they were trying to develop his character but my point still stands, slow. Nevertheless, overall it's a good movie, definitely would recommend. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/02/25 Full Review Chief B The curious case of Benjamin button. Imo is a masterpiece and just like zodiac one of Fincher's most underrated ones and in general underrated movies even if it won 3 oscars. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/25 Full Review Pip S Beautiful classic film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review Magma M This movie has really gotten a hold of my thoughts and heart to where it keeps you thinking about the inevitability of death and obselence countered by the immortality of love and affection. Amazing. Just amazing Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

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Movie Info

Synopsis Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flickers in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer (Cate Blanchett). Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.
Director
David Fincher
Producer
Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, Ceán Chaffin
Screenwriter
Eric Roth
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Kennedy/Marshall, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros.
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Brief War Violence|Sexual Content|Smoking)
Genre
Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$127.5M
Runtime
2h 47m
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