Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett star in the Academy Award-winning drama, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a story about a boy who ages backwards.

A baby is born with all the typical signs of old age – arthritis, severe hearing and vision impairments, white hair, and wrinkly skin – yet he is a newborn.  The baby’s mother dies shortly after giving birth.  His father, appalled at the appearance of his newborn son and grief-stricken at the thought of having to raise him alone, steals away with the baby and leaves him on a stranger’s doorstep.  That stranger takes him in, calls him special and decides to raise him as her own; she calls him Benjamin.

Growing up so obviously unlike any other child, Benjamin is often left to play by himself not only because he is different, but also because he is in a wheelchair at first… such is his life, until he meets a beautiful little red-haired, blue-eyed girl named Daisy.  Daisy and Benjamin have a wonderful time playing together despite her mother’s attempts to keep them apart because of Benjamin’s differences.

They grow up and grow apart, each leading their own separate lives, until one day circumstances reunite them, giving them an opportunity to rekindle their friendship – and maybe more.  

Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett do fantastic work in this film.  Some would say that Blanchett’s performance may even outshine Pitt’s in this project, but I disagree…  Pitt’s ability to tiptoe around the spotlight plays perfectly into his character of a timid, insecure child who’s very aware of their differences and therefore unsure of their place in the world.  Blanchett, conversely, handles the spotlight with confidence and grace as her character grows and develops from an adventurous little girl into a talented, vivacious woman.

The story line of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is well-developed and leaves nothing to be desired.  You’ll walk away from this film with a deep appreciation for the time you have here on earth, a hunger for adventure and a compassionate heart for those less able than yourself.

5 stars.  Watch this movie if you haven’t already, it’s intriguing and outright fantastic.