The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Movie Review)

The story starts in Louisiana on an evening ofunder the watchful eye of Daisy who asks him to
celebration following victory in WW1. Mr Buttonpromise to write from wherever he travels. True to
returns to the family home in New Orleans to be athis word Benjamin writes; she in turn returns
his wife's bedside as the trauma of childbirthcorrespondence.
unfortunately takes her life. The crying new bornThe tug boat 'Chelsea' is commandeered for service
draws his attention, but he is alarmed to find ainto WW2 where Benjamin sees active service at
monstrous looking child with the appearance of asea. He returns to his family home in 1945 where the
wrinkled, deformed old man. In folly he flees theinevitable meeting of two souls occurs, as his
house to abandon the child leaving him on the stepschildhood sweetheart Daisy returns to Louisiana at
of an elderly care home with a small stipend of cash.the same time. His more youthful appearance is
Discovered thereafter by his soon to be adoptedbarely recognisable to her, and he is astonished how
parents, the baby's appearance although alarmingthe girl he left has turned into a beautiful woman.
does not prevent the coloured couple taking intoThey soon part company as their individual lives and
their care what they perceive to be a 'child of god',differences pull them in opposite directions. They
albeit an ugly one. A doctor's diagnosis reveals thatalways remain in the thoughts of one another.
the child is akin to a very old man seemingly on hisIn 1962, Daisy returns to Louisiana and any
way to the grave. He advices that the baby be putdifferences between the two are reconciled. Their
to sleep, believing he has little time to live. Againstblossoming love and cohabitation leads to a new baby
the doctor's advice, his new mother 'Queenie'daughter. They both conclude they are meeting in
considers the child special and names him Benjaminthe middle of their lives and things happen when they
with every intention of caring for him.are supposed too. However, after several happy
Benjamin shows signs of a remarkable recovery andyears together Benjamin becomes increasingly
his elderly appearance fits perfectly into his newconcerned that they are growing in opposite
surroundings at the care home, but his old exteriordirections. For the sake of Daisy and his daughter, he
belies an adventurous youthful energy that residesdecides to leave, wanting them to have a normal life,
within and he is soon getting into trouble. Contrary towith a normal father that they can grow old with.
medical belief, Benjamin observes daily changes to hisYears later, Benjamin looking adolescent returns to
body from one day to the next, feeling that he isher life momentarily. The widening age difference
getting younger, which doesn't go unnoticed by otherbetween the two is now very apparent, and they
inhabitants at the home.reconcile they were right to part ways for the sake
In the spring of 1930, Benjamin meets Daisy a sixof their daughter, who for the first time Benjamin
year old girl visiting her grandmother. Benjamin nevergets a fleeting view. They part company once more.
forgets what beautiful blue eyes she has. In theTime moves on considerably before Benjamin now a
ensuing years they develop a very close friendship,boy and Daisy an old woman are reunited for the last
Daisy proclaiming 'your odd, your different to anyonetime. In a reversal of his beginning, the boy now
I have ever met'.suffers dementia but outwardly has a youthful
Benjamin's progress continues over the years. Fromappearance. Daisy nurtures the boy, as he regresses
his early arthritic wheelchair bound state he nowto a baby, where before one final moment of
walks freely albeit with gait of an old man. A forayrecognition he dies in her arms.
to the docks brings employment with 'Captain Mike' aThe story is read by Daisy's daughter as her true
tug boat owner and he subsequently leaves homeidentity and beginning come to light.