Showbiz Galore

The movie started in the New Orleans hospital. The elderly Daisy (Cate Blanchett) is on her deathbed in a New Orleans, Louisiana hospital as Hurricane Katrina approaches in August 2005. She asks her daughter Caroline (Julia Ormond) to read aloud from a diary containing photographs and postcards written by Benjamin Button.

The old lady that you wouldn’t notice is Daisy (Cate Blanchett), old and bed ridden, comes with a great prosthetics make up and voice simulation. On the other hand, Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button writes in diary, being read by Daisy’s daughter Caroline, comes with great prothestics as well and glimpse of CGI that Benjamin looks smaller as a very very old man with brittle bones sitting in wheel chair during his 7 years of age.

Benjamin was “born under unusual circumstances.”

Benjamin mother’s dies giving birth to him, and his father abandons him infront of African-American couple’s (Queenie and Tizzy) house. Queenie decided to take care of the child even though Benjamin’s physical appearance is like a very very old man, brittle bones, wrinkled skin and poor eyesight.

Through years, he meets Daisy as a small girl (Elle Fanning) visiting an ancient relative. Their friendship will last both of their lifetimes although ones moving in opposite directions and will evolve into romance and passionate love.

Benjamin decided to leave New Orleans and continue his fate as he grew backward. He always send postcards to Daisy from everywhere. He goes to work on a tugboat on the docks of New Orleans for Captain Mike (Jared Harris). Benjamin learns to drink alcohol and visit brothels. He also meets Thomas Button, not knowing that this is his father.

In Russia, he met his British first love Elizabeth Abbott (Tilda Swinton), a married woman, which happened to be a swimmer and soon leaves him leaving a note, “It was nice to have met you.”

He continued his journey with Captain Mike and other sailors get enlisted by the US Navy. Most of the sailors die with gun shot wounds. After the war, Benjamin returns to New Orleans, and again meets Thomas Button, who is dying and reveals that he is Benjamin’s real father. Thomas pass all of his assets to Benjamin.

In 1962, Benjamin returns to New Orleans and meets Daisy again and moves to a duplex. Daisy starts a dance studio for young girls. However, the couple struggles with the issue of Benjamin growing younger while Daisy grows older. A couple of years pass and Daisy gives birth to a girl, Caroline. Benjamin decides to leave, believing he can no longer stay with Daisy due to his youthful appearance and his inability to be a “real father.”

Caroline then realize that Benjamin is her father while reading the diary and darely ask where is Benjamin now. Benjamin physically grows younger and younger but his mind deteriorates after certain years and developed dementia. Daisy passionately take care of so young Benjamin until he died innocently in the arms of Daisy.

The movie is classically well done which depicts true love through ages. The colors are technically well empasize in the cinematography and photography. The scene where Benjamin and his dying father watching the sun is such a wondeful photography.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is like a revolutionary “Forrest Gump.” Both has same screen writer Eric Roth. But CCBB is for the win.

In Philippine Theaters January 8.

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