The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Director David Fincher bookends The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with two pieces of American history: U.S. troops fighting in World War I and the looming threat of Hurricane Katrina. In between, a timeline of historical and not-so-historical events plays out as one man grows up, or more accurately, becomes a boy. “There are no rules,” Benjamin (Brad Pitt) says of his unconventional life. And the movie does play around with convention (foremost, there’s that whole aging-in-reverse thing). Still, it’s Fincher’s most traditional film. He’s never been so sentimental or aimed this high (not even in the rule-breaking Se7en, Fight Club or last year’s under-seen but terrific Zodiac). He stages nearly every scene with an awe that mirrors Benjamin’s. By the time he reaches his 20s, Benjamin has 60 years behind him. As a result, he never really feels like he belongs. This charming fantasy, however, fits right in with other end-of-the-year Oscar hopefuls. HHH