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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
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After the darkness and savagery of Fight Club and Se7en, director David Fincher's third collaboration with Brad Pitt represents a major shift in style and tone. Adapted from F Scott Fitzgerald's short story, the action begins in the 21st century and then flashes back to 1918 when baby Benjamin (Pitt) is born with the physiology of a geriatric. As the years pass he proceeds to “grow” younger, but the teenage Benjamin still resembles an elderly man when he first meets Daisy, the girl who will become the love of his life (in the form of Cate Blanchett). It's their attempts to consummate those romantic feelings that form the backbone of the film, although time, inevitably, works against them. Make-up and state-of-the-art CGI special effects show Pitt's journey from old age to youth, but what's remarkable here is that the computer wizardry doesn't overshadow the heartfelt story. Scripted by Forrest Gump writer Eric Roth, the film shares some similar themes — loss, love and the unstoppable march of time — but feels unique. Best of all, the central relationship between Benjamin and Daisy offers a touching, yet never cloying, emotional warmth to this truly curious case. JR
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Tell us what you think
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Running time
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159min
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Country of origin
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US
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Genre
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Romantic Fantasy Drama
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Original language
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English
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Screenplay
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Eric Roth, from a story by Roth, Robin Swicord, from the short story by F Scott Fitzgerald
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Theatrical distributor
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Warner Bros
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UK cinema certificate
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12A
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UK cinema release date
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February 2009
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| awards information |
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Award |
Category |
Name |
Nominee/Winner |
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| Academy 2008 |
Actor in a Leading Role |
Brad Pitt |
Nominee |
| Academy 2008 |
Actress in a Supporting Role |
Taraji P Henson |
Nominee |
| Academy 2008 |
Best Picture |
Céan Chaffin |
Nominee |
| Academy 2008 |
Best Picture |
Kathleen Kennedy |
Nominee |
| Academy 2008 |
Best Picture |
Frank Marshall |
Nominee |
| Academy 2008 |
Directing |
David Fincher |
Nominee |
| Academy 2008 |
Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) |
Eric Roth |
Nominee |
| Academy 2008 |
Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) |
Robin Swicord |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 2008 |
Best Film |
Céan Chaffin |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 2008 |
Best Film |
Kathleen Kennedy |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 2008 |
Best Film |
Frank Marshall |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 2008 |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role |
Brad Pitt |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 2008 |
Best Screenplay (Adapted) |
Eric Roth |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 2008 |
The David Lean Award for the Best Achievement in Direction |
David Fincher |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2008 |
Best Director Motion Picture |
David Fincher |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2008 |
Best Motion Picture Drama |
Céan Chaffin |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2008 |
Best Motion Picture Drama |
Kathleen Kennedy |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2008 |
Best Motion Picture Drama |
Frank Marshall |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2008 |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama |
Brad Pitt |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2008 |
Best Screenplay Motion Picture |
Eric Roth |
Nominee |
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Film certification logos reproduced by kind permission of BBFC |
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