When I studied film writing under Professor Ken Jones at San Diego State University in the 80's, he always told us that 'your main character needed to be a different person at the end of your story than when he started out.' Jones also said that 'your main character needed to discover something about himself that gives him a direction and purpose for his life'.
Seems that the writer of 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' hasn't heard Professor Jones' points, although this may the fault of F Scott Fitzgerald's original short story on which the film is based.
In any event - whilst the premise of the film is intriguing, a man is born old and gets younger as he 'gets older' - Benjamin Button seemingly has no moral base in his life, no direction and simply reacts to the situations and opportunities presented to him. He falls in love with the Tilda Swinton character, then moves on to Daisy, played by Kate Blanchett then leaves her.
Certainly he changes - and what a masterpiece of make-up and special effects as he gets younger and younger, but these is nothing redeeming about his character at all. In fact he seems entirely amoral, which gives the film a very bleak outlook.
Sad - because the potential for the Benjamin Buttons character to reveal something positive about the human condition was certainly there in the premise.
Maybe next time?
Happy New Year.
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