As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that my taste in movies has dramatically changed. Gone are the days when I only pursued movies with high octane action scenes and/or sophomoric toilet humor. Don’t get me wrong, there are many movies that contain those things that I would consider to be good movies. It just now seems that actual quality in the content, story, acting and overall effectiveness of a movie is what I look for now. I’ve grown to become picky when choosing a movie to watch on the big screen. The rising prices of cinema tickets have played a big role as well.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is quite simple even within the complexities that the characters face in their lives. Benjamin Button was born unlike any other person. He may have been a baby in mind and heart, but he had the physical characteristics of an old man with a body that is failing him. By now, most people know what the general story is about. Button’s predicament is that he ages backwards physically. He was an old man during his childhood and a child during his senior years. It’s safe to say that the movie is about Benjamin Button. Of course it is. But it is also about the people he meets and involves himself with that shape his outlook on life. His relationships, especially with Daisy and his “mama”, are what makes the movie truly shine. It’s a movie about love, but more importantly, it’s a movie about life itself.

David Fincher is one of those exceptional directors with a great eye not just for detail, but for getting the appropriate emotions out of his actors. I believe that this is his third time working with Brad Pitt and you can see that there’s a comfort level that Pitt has with Fincher at the helm. Fight Club and Se7en were exceptional movies, and it seems that the third time is a charm as well. Fincher paces the movie with ease, allowing the audience to get wrapped up in the environment that Benjamin Button finds himself living in.

The acting was superb. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett have great chemistry together. Cate shows great versatility showcasing a young woman still finding her way and later aging into a woman that is comfortable in her own skin. Brad Pitt does a fantastic job without having to chew scenery with over the top acting. He finds ways to emote what Benjamin is feeling with subtle facial expressions and perfect timing. I used to think that Brad Pitt was in the same category as Tom Cruise. A decent actor with a pretty face and big box office draw. As each movie passes, he proves me wrong. He’s a fine actor. This film, along with Babel and The Assassination of Jesse James prove that. The casting was pretty much near perfect. The supporting cast may even be stronger than the main characters. That’s saying a lot.

With that said, the movie is not perfect. There are a few awkward scenes that could have either been shot differently or scrapped altogether. At this point, that really is just nitpicking. Overall, this is definitely a film worth watching. Personally, it was one of those movies that has stuck with me even days after viewing it. It has potential to affect people in that manner and possibly have them think about their own lives. They aimed for a more mature audience whose attention spans aren’t bound by a leash. I truly believe that the only ones who will be disappointed in this movie are those that are seeking out high octane action scenes and/or sophomoric toilet humor.