The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)
Name	The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Director	David Fincher
Producer	Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Ray Stark
Writer	Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Starring	Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Tilda Swinton
Music	Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography	Claudio Miranda
Editing	Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall
Studio	Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures
Released	December 25, 2008
Runtime	166 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$150 million
Gross	$333.5 million

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film) is a 2008 American romantic drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord. The film is based on a short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which was first published in Collier's in 1922. The film features an ensemble cast, including Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, and Tilda Swinton, and was produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Ray Stark. The film's score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, who has also worked on films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and Argo.

Plot

The film tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who is born with the physical appearance of an elderly man, but ages in reverse. The story is narrated by Daisy Fuller, who is played by Cate Blanchett, and is based on the diary of Benjamin Button, which she finds in a nursing home in New Orleans. The film follows Benjamin Button as he grows up in New Orleans during World War I and World War II, and falls in love with Daisy Fuller, who is played by Cate Blanchett. The film also features Mahershala Ali as Tizzy, a friend of Benjamin Button's, and Jared Harris as Captain Mike, a ship captain who becomes a mentor to Benjamin Button. The film's plot is also influenced by the works of Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner, who were both known for their literary fiction.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast, including Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button, Cate Blanchett as Daisy Fuller, Julia Ormond as Caroline Fuller, Jason Flemyng as Thomas Button, and Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth Abbott. The film also features Mahershala Ali as Tizzy, Jared Harris as Captain Mike, and Phyllis Somerville as Granny Fuller. The cast also includes Taraji P. Henson as Queenie, Elias Koteas as Monsieur Gateau, and Ed Metzger as Theodore Roosevelt. The film's cast has also worked on other notable films, such as The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix.

Production

The film was produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Ray Stark, and was directed by David Fincher, who has also directed films such as Fight Club and Seven. The film's screenplay was written by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, who have also worked on films such as Forrest Gump and Memoirs of a Geisha. The film's score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, who has also worked on films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and Argo. The film was shot on location in New Orleans, Montreal, and British Columbia, and features a mix of practical effects and computer-generated imagery.

Release

The film was released on December 25, 2008, by Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures. The film premiered at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles and was released in United States theaters on December 25, 2008. The film was also released in United Kingdom theaters on February 6, 2009, and in Australia theaters on February 12, 2009. The film's release was accompanied by a marketing campaign that included trailers, posters, and television commercials.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the film's visual effects, cinematography, and performances. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 71% and a Metacritic score of 70. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $333 million at the box office. The film's success can be attributed to the work of David Fincher, who has also directed films such as Fight Club and Seven, and the performances of the cast, including Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The film's reception was also influenced by the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote the short story that the film is based on.

Accolades

The film received several awards and nominations, including thirteen Academy Award nominations and three wins. The film won Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, and Best Visual Effects. The film also received Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director. The film's cast and crew also received awards and nominations from the Screen Actors Guild and the Critics' Choice Movie Awards. The film's success can be attributed to the work of David Fincher, who has also directed films such as Fight Club and Seven, and the performances of the cast, including Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The film's accolades are also a testament to the work of Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Ray Stark, who produced the film.

Category:2008 films