Growing Young: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Shannon Bowyer
Issue date: 1/30/09 Section: Entertainment
Some say it's hard to grow old, but has anyone ever considered how hard it would be to grow young? The diary of Benjamin Button is being read to a dying woman by her daughter. When the diary is read, Benjamin Button's character (Brad Pitt) takes over narration to tell the story of his life.
When Benjamin Button is born in 1918, his father is horrified to find that he looks wrinkled and disfigured. Benjamin's Mother dies in labor and his father leaves Benjamin at the doorstep of a nursing home in an attempt to free himself from the monster that killed his wife. Benjamin is then discovered by a kind hearted nurse who decides to raise him despite his outward appearance. A doctor predicts that he will not live long, but instead of becoming weaker, Benjamin slowly gains strength and as the years go by, Benjamin's wrinkles slowly tighten and the physical disabilities that come with old age disappear.
Even though the idea of "growing younger" can sound appealing, Benjamin quickly discovers that his unnatural situation can make growing up difficult. As a young kid trapped in an old man's body, Benjamin misses the opportunity to play with people the same age as him. Much of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is devoted to Benjamin's struggle with relationships as a person who goes through life "backwards".
Benjamin leaves his adoptive mom and the nursing home to take a job on a tugboat where his eyes are opened as new experiences are presented to him. Benjamin moves through his life in his bizarre path; moving from a nursing home to the world of a middle aged man to a carefree twenty year old. Benjamin sees the horror of World War II, chases girls, and travels the world.
The idea behind The Curious Case of Benjamin Button came from a short story of the same name wrote by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1921. F. Scott Fitzgerald is better known for other novels including The Great Gatsby and This Side of Paradise. Although the idea came from Fitzgerald, it is said that most of the movie's brilliance can be attributed to those who had been developing it since before 1994. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button brought in 13 Academy Award nominations; including one for Best Picture and many others that praise the cast behind the characters. David Fincher, who was also responsible as a director for Se7en, Zodiac, and Fight Club, received a nomination for Best Director for his work on Benjamin Button. The movie's seamless and classic narration style can be traced back to screenwriter Eric Roth, who was also the screenwriter for Forrest Gump.
When Benjamin Button is born in 1918, his father is horrified to find that he looks wrinkled and disfigured. Benjamin's Mother dies in labor and his father leaves Benjamin at the doorstep of a nursing home in an attempt to free himself from the monster that killed his wife. Benjamin is then discovered by a kind hearted nurse who decides to raise him despite his outward appearance. A doctor predicts that he will not live long, but instead of becoming weaker, Benjamin slowly gains strength and as the years go by, Benjamin's wrinkles slowly tighten and the physical disabilities that come with old age disappear.
Even though the idea of "growing younger" can sound appealing, Benjamin quickly discovers that his unnatural situation can make growing up difficult. As a young kid trapped in an old man's body, Benjamin misses the opportunity to play with people the same age as him. Much of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is devoted to Benjamin's struggle with relationships as a person who goes through life "backwards".
Benjamin leaves his adoptive mom and the nursing home to take a job on a tugboat where his eyes are opened as new experiences are presented to him. Benjamin moves through his life in his bizarre path; moving from a nursing home to the world of a middle aged man to a carefree twenty year old. Benjamin sees the horror of World War II, chases girls, and travels the world.
The idea behind The Curious Case of Benjamin Button came from a short story of the same name wrote by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1921. F. Scott Fitzgerald is better known for other novels including The Great Gatsby and This Side of Paradise. Although the idea came from Fitzgerald, it is said that most of the movie's brilliance can be attributed to those who had been developing it since before 1994. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button brought in 13 Academy Award nominations; including one for Best Picture and many others that praise the cast behind the characters. David Fincher, who was also responsible as a director for Se7en, Zodiac, and Fight Club, received a nomination for Best Director for his work on Benjamin Button. The movie's seamless and classic narration style can be traced back to screenwriter Eric Roth, who was also the screenwriter for Forrest Gump.
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