Before you go into the movie, go.
A.O. Scott, the NYT’s movie reviewer writes that Brad Pitt has mastered the art of reticence as Benjamin Button. I have to agree here. Pitt never really lets himself go, really go, as he did in Burn after Reading. In BAR, Pitt became the perfect gym rat, married to his iTunes. In Benj Button, Pitt never seems to be totally involved. His co-star, Cate Blanchett, on the other hand, gives herself totally to the movie. By now everyone knows the story line: Pitt, as Button, gets younger, Blanchett, as Pitt’s lover, gets older. Taken from a 1920’s short story by F.Scott Fitzgerald this is a great story and beautifully photographed with terrific music. Blanchett may have an award due her. The whole package is most worthwhile but the run time of 2:48 requires some planning. So do go before you go.
