I know it sounds a little over the top, but The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has changed my life. Never in a million years did I think that a film could have such an impact on me. It is a little hard to define in words the true scale of this as both a motion picture, and a work of art but I am truly, breathtakingly staggered by it.

So, you guessed I liked the film? Well where do I start? Firstly, David Fincher has done a remarkable job and this film marks him as one of the truly great directors. It is visually stunning, from the lighting and colours that depict the warmth of Benjamin’s elderly childhood, to the brightness and clarity of the world as he grows younger in it.

The acting is superb, with both Pitt and Blanchett shine as the two age confused lovers, and we see an immaculate spectacle of virtually seamless special effects throughout. Literally, you are left wondering how did they do that? The film is the cutting edge of technology, but never once does it oppose the story telling. As a viewer you have to pinch yourself that you are not pointing out artefacts of digital processing – there is just very little to indicate that this is predominantly computer generated. Fincher’s shrewd use of light and shadow always leaves room for the audience’s interpretation, taking the pressure off the effects slightly, and making them all the more believable. But there is nothing I can say that hasn’t been pointed out by other reviews so Google them…

(Check out Andrew Chan’s excellent review here… but only read this link if you want to hear from a soulless fish wife who cannot say anything constructive.)

Brad Pitt deserves all the awards you can throw at him. Always the consummate actor, in this role his ability reaches new heights. The look of wonder on his face as he witnesses an early father figure reciting a play to the look of horror on his face when he fears a scolding from his mother are marks of genius. You believe Benjamin is experiencing a life of wonder in his eyes, and Pitt plays it perfectly.

Now this might seem a little over the top considering the main protagonist is ageing backward – a silly contrivance of a plot device in some people’s eyes. However, this can in some ways be ignored as the soul of the film – and I mean that literally – exists in the characterisation of Benjamin Button. Some reviewers have criticised the film for not having enough character development but I really thing they are missing the point. Benjamin is on the edge of the world in most respects, told that he is going to die any day now, surrounded and exposed by friends and strangers to the passing of life and waiting for the impending end. This gives him the perspective to look with bright, inquisitive eyes each and every day – to relish in the wonder of being the best you possibly could be no matter how short of time you are.

There is strong character development throughout, especially in Cate Blanchett’s Daisy. We see her grow from a precocious child to a promiscuous young woman that is sometimes extremely unlikable. As I watched her path cross with Benjamin as the years progressed, I sometimes ached for things to go right for them even when it was obvious they could not. One of the key strengths is that the film is very heartfelt. There is chemistry between all the principal cast members that gives a level of realism in sometimes unrealistic circumstances that I think is unrivalled in cinema history.

This film has been remarked as being Fincher’s most mainstream film to date – almost as if he has sold out slightly but this is too easy a stick to poke at him. All of his films have focussed on strong aspects of humanity from the extreme’s of Fight Club and The Game to the primal fears portrayed in Panic Room. And maybe he had become pigeonholed for more aggressive storytelling traits, but I think that his approach is 

very similar with Benjamin Button – the only difference is the carefully crafted script by Eric Roth which ultimately has a lighter tone. Well maybe not lighter…but different. The tools are the same and Fincher tells this story about humanity as it should be told. Any other director would have had problems, and I think that the pitch would have been significantly different if Ron Howard had developed this years ago as originally intended (reference the saccharine!).

But the main thing I want to say about this film, is how I have utterly been knocked sideways by it. It was an extremely special experience for my wife and I, and I can say in all honesty that we sat in the cinema together and fell in love with it. The core of the film is the passion and soul that makes the vast majority of other films look cold. It is a film that teaches you about love, and loss. About overcoming adversity and living a life as fully as possible. I have been lucky never to go through the pain of mourning a loved one and from this film I think I can appreciate that feeling somewhat.

Now why would that be a good thing? I am not sure to be honest, but I feel alive because of it. They say you don’t appreciate them till they’re gone, but the experience of this film has shown that the prospect of saying goodbye to my wife and daughter is unbearable, and seeing Benjamin say goodbye to his family had incredible emotional impact. The inevitable end of his life was extremely hard to watch, and bordered on being harrowing due to the poignancy that strikes to the very core of your being. Quite simply, if you are not moved by this film, you cannot have a soul. I just feel as though I have more of a life to live, more of the world to see, and a longing to spend more time with those I love. All because the film’s repeated theme that “you never know what’s coming to you” rings true.

In many films that seek to shed tears there is usually something that tips it slightly, that brings the feelings of guilt for falling for the climax only to be pet down by poor acting, trivial dialogue or soppy music. But never once does the story descend in saccharine as the drama is precisely sculpted by David Fincher almost to the point of perfection. Tension is alleviated with a laugh or joke here or there when required, and the music frames the picture excellently. The pacing of the movie flows like the tide, always appearing to be natural and never forced. Fincher has raised the bar of cinema very high indeed.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is part love story, part adventure, part feel good movie and part fairy tale. It is beautifully sad, but makes you appreciate your life in a way that I never thought possible. In the days since seeing Benjamin Button, I have thought of little else. I can say on reflection it is one of the best films I have ever seen and maybe could be the greatest film. This is not because it is perfectly made, but because it has a perfect heart. The only shame is that we will not see any more of Benjamin’s adventures, or his life with Daisy – the three hours of the film could never be enough in my eyes even though I felt that I have lived a complete life with him.

Go see this film and revel in its beauty. I cannot wait to see it again.