I Know Everybody Still Talks About Fight Club And Se7en, But Why Doesn’t Anybody Still Talk About This David Fincher Gem?

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When people think of David Fincher and Brad Pitt working together, films like Fight Club and Se7en usually come to mind – and that makes sense. Fight Club is still considered by many to be Fincher’s greatest work.

Beyond that, Se7en is widely considered one of the greatest horror films ever made. Because of that, when people think of Brad Pitt and David Fincher working together, Se7en often comes to mind. However, they actually collaborated on a third film, 2008’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and I wish more people remembered it.

It’s surprising, considering how much praise the film received when it first came out. Thankfully, Fincher and Pitt are working together on another project, a sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but before we get to that, can I just say how much I love this movie?

On The Surface, It Doesn’t Seem Like A Dark Film, But It Is

I started reading the short story that the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on, but I couldn’t get into it and stopped after just a few pages. Based on what I read, I think the movie is actually better than the original story. The reason I didn’t finish it was simply that I didn’t enjoy the writing style.

Look, the premise – a man literally growing younger – sounds ridiculous, I’ll admit. And from what I understand of the original Fitzgerald story, it wasn’t exactly played straight. But honestly, that’s where this movie surprised me. Director Fincher takes this wildly improbable idea completely seriously, and that’s just what you’d expect from him. He doesn’t wink at the audience; he dives right in and treats it as a genuine, dramatic situation.

The film centers around a baby born looking like an elderly man who then begins to age in reverse. This means he eventually learns to walk using crutches. He forms a close friendship with a girl named Daisy, played by Elle Fanning in her youth and Cate Blanchett as an adult, because despite his appearance, he’s still a child at heart.

While the story doesn’t initially seem gloomy, it definitely is. Benjamin and Daisy do find love, but it happens late in life, highlighting all the years they missed together. The film culminates in a heartbreaking scene where Daisy cares for an elderly Benjamin who suffers from dementia, and the overall sadness can be quite overwhelming. It’s a wonderful movie, but be prepared – it’s deeply depressing.

Brad Pitt Gives The Performance Of A Lifetime

While The Curious Case of Benjamin Button isn’t usually considered Brad Pitt’s best film, it’s definitely not a bad one. I think a major reason people don’t often discuss it is that, although the acting is strong, it’s quite understated.

This movie doesn’t feature showy, over-the-top acting like Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood or Johnny Depp in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Instead, the characters are subtle and reserved, and Brad Pitt delivers a convincingly melancholic performance.

Even when Benjamin is joyful, a hint of sadness lingers around him. He always carries a weary look, as if he’s lived a long life – and this doesn’t change as he gets younger. Surprisingly, he seems to grow more tired with time, which is strange considering he’s aging in reverse. This story follows a man who will eventually be a teenager, but with the mind of someone nearing the end of their life.

Brad Pitt delivers a surprisingly effective performance. It’s a subtle and restrained portrayal, and it leaves you feeling emotionally drained by the film’s end. He avoids the flashy, over-the-top characters he’s known for, and this role feels like a real challenge – perhaps even his best yet.

Cate Blanchett Is Also Wonderful

It almost feels unnecessary to point out, because Cate Blanchett is consistently amazing, but she truly shines in this film. I was actually surprised she didn’t receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination, especially considering the movie earned 13 Academy Award nominations and won three, which I’ll discuss shortly.

Her acting might actually be more heartbreaking than Brad Pitt’s, because her character is central to the whole movie, which is a romantic and fantastical story. As we’ve seen, her character, Daisy, and Benjamin are never quite in the right place in their lives to be together. Daisy pursues her dream of becoming a dancer, but a terrible accident ends her dancing career. Even then, the timing isn’t right for her and Benjamin, and they spend many years apart.

They share a brief, intense connection, but the timing isn’t right for a lasting relationship. Although they have a child together, Benjamin, fearing he won’t be a good father, leaves Daisy and provides for them financially. Despite this, the story suggests Daisy would have preferred to work through their problems and stay together as a family.

The performance is deeply moving, and Cate Blanchett delivers it with remarkable ease – a level of skill we’ve come to expect from an actor of her caliber.

Its Visual Effects Are So Good They Make Me Want To Cry

I was surprisingly disappointed when Godzilla Minus One won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, and it might sound strange, but here’s why: I thought it deserved to be nominated for – and win – Best Picture too. I still feel strongly that it should have been considered for that top award.

The movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button also primarily received awards for its technical achievements, winning three Academy Awards for Art Direction, Makeup, and Visual Effects. While I believe it deserved more recognition – Taraji P. Henson’s performance comes to mind – the special effects truly enhance the emotional impact of the story, and are genuinely moving.

It’s still amazing to see Brad Pitt appear to defy aging in the film, but the real marvel is watching the other characters grow up. The difference is striking – seeing a child like Daisy transform into an adult and then an older woman, while Pitt seems to get younger, feels very strange.

The movie relies heavily on its visuals to tell the story, and the makeup, in particular, adds a significant layer of narrative – something you don’t often see in other films.

Over The Years, This Almost Feels Like Fincher’s Hidden Gem

Most acclaimed directors have a lesser-known film that stands out as special. For Martin Scorsese, I believe that film is After Hours, and for Stanley Kubrick, it’s Barry Lyndon. When it comes to David Fincher, though, I think it’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button—which is surprising, considering it received thirteen Academy Award nominations.

It’s frustrating that people have largely stopped discussing this film. It feels forgotten, and I believe it deserves more attention. It stands out from the rest of Fincher’s work, offering a surprisingly calm and thoughtful experience.

This film is truly exceptional, and it’s not just the central idea – the performances, visuals, and music all come together to create a timeless classic. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen it, definitely revisit it – Fincher really outdid himself with this one.

What do you think? Have you seen it in a while? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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2025-10-29 03:10