At the Movies with Fatwayne

Alas, where to start?  This wonderful movie brings you to the heights of joy and almost to the brink of sorrow. It is a wonderfully told story of one man’s peculiar life and all of the heart warming characters who help to make it up.

Benjamin Button is played by Brad Pitt who is taken from birth (80 years old) to the end of his life as an infant. Yes, you read me correctly!  Benjamin’s life is exactly the opposite of  yours and mine and everyone who is connected to him. It is amazing to see Pitt’s physical transformation during his lifetime in this film. As my wife Sharon, said, “he looked good to me as an old man” and believe me, she is not an old gal!

Poor Ben is a sight to see as he is birthed as a rickety old pint sized baby.  Suffice it to say, he is immediately orphaned since his mother did not survive his birth and his father having taken one gasping look at him decides to abandon him. Fortunately for Benjamin, his is taken up by Queenie (Taraji Hensen) and raised as her son. Now this is happening in New Orleans in the early 1900s and Queenie is black while little Benjamin is white and very ugly! Do you start to see  the kind of woman Queenie is? Her character is both warm and caring and she is portrayed with award-winning flair by Ms. Hensen.

It is interesting to observe this story because it is so unusual in its context.  We watch as Benjamin first learns to walk since his limbs are so frail and become fascinated as he grows taller and stronger while those around him suffer a much different fate.

When Ben first meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett) he is an old man and she is a child. They come together again when they are about the same age although she is growing up and he is growing younger! This is a most intriguing premise and I promise you that you will enjoy this juxtaposition.

As Benjamin’s life progresses we are treated to a cadre of interesting people who come and go as he becomes younger. This is one of the joys of this film as practically everyone who has a role does a sublime job of making us remember them. It should also be noted that Benjamin had a most interesting life which led him to work on a tug boat, to a World War adventure and to a family man and beyond.

I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the grand old gals of this film.  It was shot in New Orleans in late 2006 and 2007. If you recall, she had a most unwanted visitor in August of 2005 called Hurricane Katrina that all but decimated her. I am here to tell you that all of her splendor is showcased in this movie. It is beautifully filmed and does not pander to the usual bad accents and Mardi Gras shots. The parks, street cars on St Charles Ave., Jackson Square, the French Quarter and lake front are all there to give you a real feel for the essence of this great American city.

The actors, script, cinematography and location all add to the magical influence this film will have on you. It is one hell of a ride – one that I hope you take because this movie has the potential to run away with all of the awards.

Rating  – PG 13  -

Fatwayne’s rating :