Benjamin Button just gets more curious as the film progresses. He is almost Forrest Gump-like, and his life story keeps you transfixed till the end. Yet, there’s an undercurrent of tragedy that runs right beneath the surface, and it is hard to ignore. In the end, you can’t help feeling extremely sad, but you can’t decide whether that’s good or bad.

The film is an adaptation of a short story by F Scott Fitzgerald. It is definitely more realistic than its source, and more imaginative as well. The backwards clock in the beginning of the movie is enrapturing, and this tone of intrigue and mystery surrounds the rest of the film. As far as the story is concerned, Benjamin Button is top notch.

Brad Pitt does a decent job of living up to the role of a man aging backwards. His emotional range switches from confused to dazed. However, there’s no glimpse of the frustration a teenaged old man feels. Cate Blanchett, on the other hand, is marvellous in her depiction of the feisty Daisy and Taraji P Henson will steal your heart from the word go. Jason Flemyng also shines in his two-minute role, but Julia Ormond is simply wasted.

Ten points are given to characterisation of these roles. Growing younger is not all it’s made out to be, and this message rings straight and clear by the time the credits roll. Yes, the film’s a bit long — but whose life isn’t?

Namratha Iyengar/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication