Today’s screening was held in the swanky Paramount theater. In attendance for the Q&A was director David Fincher, screenwriter Eric Roth and most of the heads of the tech departments. I don’t want to jinx the movie by going overboard and I don’t want to have the next few words haunt me for the next decade, nonetheless – if I had to name the film that would probably have the best shot at winning Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Costumes, Art Direction it would be this one. There are several reasons, which I’ll go through after the cut.
The first and probably most important reason is that this is a film that works on every level. It is an authentic bit of writing, straight from the heart of Eric Roth, who admitted during the Q&A that he’d lost his parents while writing the script. That kind of sentiment and heartbreak cannot be faked. That kind of inspiration is rare. Unfortunately for him it came at a great cost. Perhaps this is why the truth here, bare as it is, cuts as deeply.
Combine Roth’s emotional output with David Fincher’s exactitude and you have something nearly perfect. With so many limbs, emotions and ideas the film shouldn’t work at all, but somehow it does. Much credit is due to Brad Pitt, whose Benjamin Button is a soul-shattering creation. Cate Blanchett, who bursts forth like her own hurricane. Taraji P. Henson as Queenie is the heart of the film.
Funnily enough, though Eric Roth felt that the source material, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story, influenced him minimally, I felt both F. Scott and Zelda throughout this, as if her spirit was haunting the film as much as his. And again, Roth barely acknowledges Fitzgerald in his own writing process – yes, it’s all him, but seeing as how they chose to set the film in the South how can anyone not think of Zelda? After all, wasn’t it Zelda who is said to have inspired many of Fitzgerald’s characters and in fact may have written some of his short stories, maybe even this one? Zelda wanted to be a ballet dancer around the age of 50 and she was just too old. Age afflicts us all but dancers especially. That Blanchett’s Daisy is a dancer reminded me so much of Zelda. And her name is Daisy, the same name as the beloved icon in The Great Gatsby.
Benjamin Button is about the beauty and privilege of aging. We think of it, especially in our culture, as something wicked, a disease that we must fight tooth and nail and disguise. Youth is the be all, end all. But Benjamin Button, who ages backwards, doesn’t get the benefit of having such a disease. Because he can’t have the same experience as everyone else he is destined to be alone. Loneliness from death is one of the strongest themes. If you’ve had someone die that you treasured beyond words this film will slice right through your exterior. If you’ve ever held a baby and watched a child grow up, this movie will devastate you.
I don’t want to say much more before the film opens because too much hype can kill any movie; although it must be mentioned that Benjamin Button had a lot of hype going in and managed to withstand it so perhaps hype is beside the point.
The film is a visual delight — though it’s oddly cold in its scenery. A warmer, cozier world wouldn’t have made it a Fincher movie. The truth is that it works with Fincher as the director. It is stranger than it would have been if, say, Spielberg had directed it. Nonetheless, with Spielberg it might have tipped too far into sentiment and been mush as a result, no offense.
I did not feel a detachment to it at all and I fully expected to. I didn’t think that Fincher could pull off something overly sentimental. I thought it would be a few steps removed and all about the effects and the gimmick. It turns out, though, that this film is about the human experience. It’s about, as Roth and Fincher said, the people who make dents in you, who impact your life. Most of those who teach Benjamin about life are women, older women who have the benefit of wisdom. His life is shaped by them, which is probably the reason I fell so hard for the film. Too often women get the short shrift in films. They aren’t given the credit they’re due as whole human beings. I was touched by the female presence in this film, quite moved by it, I must say.
So far, for me, this year is about three movies: The Dark Knight, Revolutionary Road and Benjamin Button. Wall-E in animated, Captain Abu Raed in foreign. I have yet to see many films: Milk, Slumdog, The Reader, Defiance, Australia, Rachel Getting Married, The Wrestler, The Visitor. So take it for what it’s worth.
80 Responses for "Benjamin Button Screening and Q&A"
THIS FILM SOUNDS F)CKING INCREDIBLE. Is Blanchett really the surefire Best Actress nominee for this as some are saying? She kind of came out of no where with this one, but I guess we can never underestimate her, huh?
She’s incredible. With Winslet in Revolutionary Road it feels to me like a career-best performance. Blanchett has the more likable character, which is a good reason to fear her – it’s hard to say if this is a career best – she is always good, isn’t she.
Wow, Sasha! This sounds amazing. Your writing here is wonderful, too. I always trust your opinions.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Blanchett squeezes Jolie out of the race like she did last year.
Can we expect Pitt to be nominated too?
do you think brad pitt deserves/will get a nomination?
Taraji P HENSON (spelled it wrong on your review there) is finally getting some attention here and l couldnt be happier
l always knew she would be the most interesting
I wonder if this will get an effects nomination?
I am sooo excited that we have a lot of very good movies with very good performances. Last year with a few exceptions everything was pretty much known. This year It seems it will be a much moreexciting year.
Is it just me, or does the Best Actor category seem ULTRA packed/competitive this year? Even moreso than the Lead Actress category.
Can we expect Pitt to be nominated?
What type of role does Tilda Swinton play?
Possible nominations for Pitt? Swinton?
Probably not a nod for Swinton, although she’s great. She plays one of the many influences/teachers in Button’s life. I don’t want to spoil it. She’s really great, though. Best actor is so crowded. I don’t know if Pitt will get nominated – add to that he’s CG’d a lot of the time and people might figure that it’s not enough of him acting. He was so good, though. I hope they do nominate him. I also don’t know who you bump if you add Pitt. Its already too packed to fit any more.
Sasha, thanks. I’m so jealous you got to see this and I have to wait until Christmas.
i suppose that feels ok for now. im gonna lose my shit if he gets a bunch of precursor respect and then gets bumped a la his other half last year
Sasha: I wonder who will end up having more screen time–Winslet in Reader or Blanchett in Button?
I loved reading your eloquent review Sasha. I can’t wait to see it now. I understand your reluctance to say more because I am getting the same vibe from this review as your “Into the Wild” review last year, a film which many of us adored.
I have never enjoyed Brad Pitt onscreen as much as in this film. For once he wasn’t trying so hard to act–he was just acting. I was very impressed.
Nancy, I hope it does better than Into the Wild, lol. And thanks. I rushed it because I knew people wanted to read something about the movie. I like to ruminate on them a bit more. I really LOVED Into the Wild and was sad to see it snubbed. I think BB could be the frontrunner at this point.What do you think Paul?
When will you be posting a fuller review of Revolutionary Road? Like you did for Benjamin Button. Or did you already, and I missed it?
I’m working on one for RR – I am afraid to overhype it because it could send out the kind of buzz critics want to debunk. But since others have written reviews I might as well – I’ll post it tomorrow-ish. I needed time to think on it and let it settle in and since there was no embargo on this one I could just put something out immediately.
Sasha, from what I have seen so far, Button is definitely the frontrunner. I think it goes like this:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
The Dark Knight
Milk
followed at a distance by Doubt, Frost/Nixon, and Rachel Getting Married.
I have a feeling after I see Australia tomorrow I may have to reconsider everything. Then again, it may not even make it into my top 10. Who knows?
PS. Thanks for posting that pic. One of my favorite scenes.
@ Paul,
I second your list. I think thats the list to beat.
Ok, looking forward to your thoughts on Rev. Road. Particularly Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance.
i am really hoping that this year different movies and actors will win different awards before Oscars. So we will have a real competition and surprises at the Oscars…
Everyone’s final five basically looks the same at this point. I think we have reached consensus ladies and gentlemen. Oh, and Sasha, I hate you so much right now!!!!!! I NEED to see this damn movie.
Wonderful write-up, Sasha. Thanks for posting this.
This is one of my most anticipated movies this year. I can’t wait to see it.
Sasha, Winslet is better in RR than she was in Eternal Sunshine? Wow, I must see this film immediately.
About Leo in RR – I’ve never seen him go so deep and reveal so much as he does in this.
Sasha, you are killing me! I’m quite jealous you have seen these highly anticipated films. If RR is Leo’s best performance, I’m really hoping he can make the lead actor cut. Like, really, really hope.
I like your list too, Paul. I’ve liked it for weeks. It also matches up perfectly with our November 3rd BP Poll (with the order juggled around a bit.)
14% The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
14% The Dark Knight
13% Milk
11% Revolutionary Road
9% Slumdog Millionaire
The next five were:
8% Australia
6% Doubt
5% Frost/Nixon
4% Wall•E
3% Rachel Getting Married
(so kudos to the 8801 people who voted)
Next time we poll, instead of 25 choices, I’ll cut that down to 12 or 15, and we’ll see how things shift around in a more narrow field — and in light of Sasha’s spectacular reviews.
With the list of dozen top contenders we’ve been talking about all day, and now after two extraordinary screenings in a row for Sasha (with Milk maybe completing the trifecta tomorrow?), I think we can safely set aside the unease some of us might’ve been feeling just a few weeks ago that 2008 would be a weaker year than 2007.
In fact, to me, it’s already looking stronger. Because I thought a couple of the eventual top nominees last year were somewhat weak. From Sasha’s list of 11 and my list of 12 today, I only see risk of disappointment in 2 or 3.
If we’re therefore drawing from a pool of 9 brilliant movies, what a year this will be, yeah?
Thank you for the rich and descriptive review, Sasha. This commentary is not only the first I’ve read for this film but probably will be among the best when all is said and done.
Paul Outlaw’s list of probable nominees looks good to me. I have to admit, however, that the Revolutionary Road trailer leaves me unmoved; hopefully the film experience will be different, as sometimes turns out to be the case.
If BB racks up nominations, Pitt may benefit from coattails and see himself be nominated, as well.
Take the list that was already posted, throw out “The Dark Knight” and replace it with “The Reader.” There’s your Best Picture lineup.
Excellent news! The new international trailer blew my socks off. This was already my most anticipated film of the winter. (It would be The Wrestler, but I’ve already seen it; I found it quite Oscar worthy and am hoping the buzz picks up.) Anyways, I’m about to die with anticipation of this one…wow wow wow.
I think officially Blanchett has put the nail in Angelina Jolie’s coffin…I love Angie to death, but with the likes of Kristin-Scott Thomas, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway, Sally Hawkins, now Cate Blanchett….it’s gonna be a tough road for her…
…but I can’t wait to see this movie! Like others, it’s my most anticipated title all year! Thanks for posting, Sasha!
I am incredibly excited for TCCOBB. Fincher has always been great (you enjoyed Alien3 and you know it!…okay, maybe not) and this looks like his masterpiece. It’s great to see that he was able to make it a more human story than some of his others and that the performances are all incredible. I’m really hoping it does well come Oscar nominations (night, too). So Fincher, Blanchett, Roth, Henson, techs, and picture all seem like locks, right? Pitt is close but could be bumped?
I just dont see BB doing any serious Oscar business.
But hey, I liked SPEED RACER. what the hell do I know?
@ RRA is a Curious Case
We know you made up your mind about Benjamin Button 6 or 8 months ago, but you should leave a little wiggle room to back yourself out of the corner as more informed opinions begin to prevail. If you keep repeating things like this it’s gonna become harder and harder to eat all those words.
Speed Racer? Oh dear. Bet you can hardly wait for Crank Racer Reloaded and Meth Racer Revolutions. Like I said back in May, CAUTION: Do not insert acid-laced eye-candy directly into eyeball.
now that Blanchett is a major contender, i’m thinking MERYL is no longer as safe as we think…to me, it seems like the only thing SECURE for DOUBT is Philip Seymour Hoffman and Viola Davis in supporting. best actress is WAYY too crowded, so i wouldn’t be surprise.
Anyhoo, i’m going out on a limb and predicting some shockers:
Cate Blanchett
Kate Beckinsale
Anne Hathaway
Sally Hawkins
Kate Winslet
Wow, this is such good news. I can’t wait.
After reading your praise of Blanchett, Sasha, I think best actress will most likely go like this (in no order)…
Cate Blanchett
Meryl Streep
Kate Winslet
Kristin-Scott Thomas
Anne Hathaway or Angelina Jolie
Meryl Streep still looks like the least doubtful thing about Doubt to me, Winston, but I like that you’re not playing it safe. I have someone different in mind for my wild-card slot:
Cate Blanchett
Kate Winslet
Meryl Streep
Anne Hathaway
Kristen Scott-Thomas or Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams is a sturdier limb for me to climb out on than either Hathaway or Hawkins.
What Sally Hawkins does is fascinating (like those Mentos in Diet Coke explosions), but “Poppy” is the type of person I’d avoid like the perky plague in real life. It was a relief when that movie ended.
What Williams does is mesmerizing. Her “Wendy” is someone I want to hug and hang out with.
I’ll be writing more about Wendy and Lucy soon. Don’t forget Melissa Leo is a force to be reckoned with, as well.
The picture looks a bit ridiculous.
How so?
Thanks for this great passionate review!
Benjamin Button was the movie I was looking forward to desperately since I saw the first trailer a couple of weeks ago.
My only fear was that it could turn out as a secong Forrest Gump, which I thought was way too cheesy… But you are right, David Fincher can´t really direct a sentimental movie, that´s not him…
so Sasha do you think Taraji is going to get nominated? If so do you think she stands a strong chance at the win?
Sasha’s words are some of the most reliable ones (except that many of us knew 3:10 to Yuma was never going to make it), so this film is definitely in and probably will be the most nominated one cause it’s Oscar gold technically as well (comparisons to Forrest Gump are justified here). Benjamin Button will get 9-11 nominations then.
Can’t wait to hear about Milk and RR soon.
Indeed, Tero – I was wrong about Yuma, Kite Runner, King Kong, etc. I don’t think BB is one of those, though. LOL. Nobody’s an automaton. I still think Kite Runner was kind of robbed. The Oscar race is so strange. It is so rarely about the film itself but about “the story.” Fincher’s time to be let in the club appears to have finally arrived. But here are two other reasons – Eric Roth is an Academy member. The themes of BB shoot straight into the heart of your average voter. BB has all of those things going for it that can make a blockbuster too – dazzling visual effects, love story, period piece, etc. It just has it all. And yes, there is an element of ridiculousness about the story of a guy who ages backwards but since they don’t try to make us believe it is real but stick to the deeper meanings of what it would mean to age backwards –that’s why it works.
The film isn’t about aging so much as about death, time, friendship and love – you know, the big things. And holy fuck, thinking about this morning I started to tear up again. So it’s got the whole tearjerker thing going for it too. The women around me were all weeping. I don’t know if men will cry (”strong men also cry”) or young people will get it – my ten year old thought it was good but a bit boring, lol. For me, at 43, it got me right where I live.
p.s. yes and double yes about Taraji P. Henson – she almost steals the movie. Every time she says “good night, baby.” My only beef with the film and it’s a slight one is that, though I greatly admire Cate Blanchett as an old woman, the hospital scenes pulled me out of a story I didn’t want to leave. It is sort of like Titanic that way.
I’ve said time and again that Henson should get nominated, it’s long overdue. I’m glad that Sasha sees some potential
Now, with Henson and Voila davis and Winslet ( for The Reader), all hopefuls for supporting actress, I’m left between the devil and the deep blue sea. All women are talented and deserve to win. If Kate doesn’t win best actress, which might go to Meryl, I would like Winslet to win supporting but then I’M IN AWE OF THE ACTING CHOPS OF Henson and Davis. ….to further make matters worse, I think its time for Meryl to win another oscar,….for best actress.
BB needs to make like 300 million worldwide to break even so it better be a blockbuster.
This year has given a few good films that cost almost 200 million (looks like two of them will make it to the short best picture list), usually they are not even worth mentioning at these kind of websites.
At least, that’s what I’ve heard. That the film cost like 160 million. How long is the final cut, btw? Some early version was like 165 minutes.
Kate won’t win this year….everyone is expecting her to top herself again. At least, that’s how I see it. I see it going to Henson…though Penelope’s buzz might grow again, but I doubt it…
Funny. I had written Blanchett off months ago. Shows what I know.
I JUST WISH ONE MIRACLE HAPPENED ON THE 22ND OF FEB: BB WINS ALL FIVE BIG OSCARS: PICTURE, DIRECTOR, ACTRESS, ACTOR, SCREENPLAY!
I GUESS THIS IS WHERE I HEAR “DREAM ON!”
Hey Sasha,
This is well written–and couldn’t agree more with your statement about Captain Abu Raed, which I’ve long been saying is good enough to be in not just the Best Foreign Film race but the Best Picture race itself.
I do, though, think it is really inappropriate to say:
“If I had to name the film that would probably have the best shot at winning Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Costumes, Art Direction it would be this one”
and then admit that you have yet to see virtually any of the other serious Best Picture contenders:
“I have yet to see many films: Milk, Slumdog, The Reader, Defiance, Australia, Rachel Getting Married, The Wrestler, The Visitor. So take it for what it’s worth.”
I know we all do that, to some extent, early in the season, but at this point I can’t understand how someone who hasn’t seen the films can speak with such certainty about anything in the race.
Let me be clear: I don’t fault you for not having SEEN some of the films–people get busy or whatever. But, with respect, I think you must admit there is just no conceivable way that you are in a position to proclaim a definitive frontrunner or anything when you have yet to see those others.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will suffer from the backlash and
bandwagon being unfairly orchestrated due to the already existing
unfounded hatred by Team Aniston which is going into overdrive because
of Jennifer Aniston’s cruel, cutthroat, conniving campaigning in which she incited a large amount of articles making false claims of a confession from Angelina. She continues to brainwash the people into
wrongly believing they betrayed, wronged, mistreated, and victimized
her when nothing could be further from the truth. She serves the media
and the media serves her. Why can’t the majority recognize what the
dynamic is? She sells their spin and they sell her spin. Now the media is behaving as if the torrid affair stories are a proven fact that Jolie confirmed when the complete opposite is true. For the record, Angelina denied having the illicit affair in the Vogue Interview that Jennifer deviously referred to and was merely trying to describe her friendship and bond with Brad at the time. The interview itself was a distorted, inaccurate version of what Angelina said but it was clarified that she said their romantic relationship began afterwards. They have both maintained their truth and denials of the piece of gossip that created this madness and misportrayal in the first place, this entire time and there has been no change. It is confusing because the media fabricates quotations and claims they said & did things they did not. The media is contradicting everything to cover up the corruption they created. I thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse but it has because of this new spin within the spin about a confession. It hasn’t been this bad since 2005. It was in an awful and extreme state but it was stagnating and now it is increasing to an unforseen level.
Thank you Jasmine and the few other people who stood up for the truth. I couldn’t have explained the truth better, Jasmine. I am using some of her phrases because they described the circumstances perfectly.
Visit the responses on the Brad and Cate on Oprah post. The people
who speak the truth are being dismissed as crazy and deluded when the
truth is that most of the world was sucked into living in a delusional
world of lies. The media is trying to 100% destroy the truth and is trying to manipulate everybody into jumping on that terrible bandwagon. They know the minority who are the fighting the good fight will be incapable of defending this couple from all of the lies and exposing the cycle of corruption and manipulation that Jennifer is in control of, if the majority is convinced that Jolie confessed. They have
too much class and maturity to lash out but they really need to respond
and clarify their stance. They lead busy lives and have more important duties to peform. They are struggling with their emotions right now and
don’t know how to handle this situation. They know the situation has
become hopeless knowing most of the world believes that lie anyway,
claims of a false confession or not. They are not fighters. I love them but
they have made a lot of mistakes in how they have dealt with Team Aniston. I’m am afraid they will make the mistake in keeping silent,
using the wrong approach in which their comments will be misportrayed
by a biased media, or when they respond it will be too late. A lot more
than The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is at stake, everything is at
stake. They would never confess to anything that is not true. Their
tragic existence has been wrongly defined by this accusation. The media
feels it has full reign to fabricate any outrageous and inflammatory accusation they want to because now they are operating on the false
premise that there was a confession of guilt and their misportrayals have
been right. The accusations regarding a special deal with PEOPLE are
completely fabricated and there was no extra money paid for favorable
coverage. The media has tried to pull those accusations before. Galina,
the editor, is on Team Aniston and PEOPLE has passively shown their Team Aniston stance many times. They are less biased and try to appear neutral because they know those few exclusives of the baby photos bring higher sales and are the most sought after photos. Brad
and Angelina are forced in a position where they have to do this, Jasmine summarized it well on that older Oprah post. The media is doing
everything they can to prevent accurate and favorable coverage of this
couple. Most of the media operates like a tabloid rag when it comes to
Brad and Angelina. It is this depraved community effort and loyalty to
what is wrong because of a bizarre groupthink that developed at the
result of that rumor. They want to isolate them completely and have
all of the coverage be operating on that misportrayal and villification.
The media wants it to be Team Anistonized 100% of the time and I guess the media feels like it is capable of doing that with the new lie that they confessed.
A lot of Team Aniston had softened and quit boycotting their films. Now
the ugliness has strengthened with tons of them planning to boycott
the film. I am praying for a miracle. The movie had a budget of over
150 million and there is no way the movie’s BO numbers will meet that
amount. Brad’s films usually met budget because his international appeal and draw always made up for the lack of domestic gross but
Team Aniston’s negative influence is worldwide. It is actually worse in
England and India, two countries that formerly had a large Pitt fanbase.
I would not be suprised if this movie is a huge flop. Pitt will be viewed
as a larger liability than he already is and that will drastically limit his
career options. Their production company has already lost a lot
valuable vehicles because of the backlash because most industry members don’t want to take the risk. The critical rating will probably
much lower than it should be, though I am sure it should at least pass
the fresh test and meet the mininum standards for Best Picture consideration. I think the movie’s quality will overcome a lot of the bias.
I bet a lot of critics might try to dismiss or downplay Brad’s wonderful
performance. I think Cate Blanchett should go for supporting and not for
lead. Taraji B. Henson should not be discounted but I think she has a lesser chance. Brad deserves to be nominated for Best Actor. It was his most impressive performance yet. Next to Fight Club, this is my favorite Pitt film. The Changeling was also a masterful work that didn’t deserve
to be panned…the irony and parallels between Angelina and Christine
Collins are astounding. Strong woman being perscuted by institutional
corruption and etc. However, I think TCCBB is a superior film and will
be less negatively affected by the bias. This is the best movie I have
seen so far and I have seen most of the award contenders through
advance screenings. It is shame when good things have to overcome
unfounded hatred and prejudice due to the unfounded bias and wrong
viewpoint towards two wonderful people , who if not for their wrecked
reputations, could have had such a positive impact on our society.
My picks for Best Picture: TCCBB, Slumdog Millionaire, Australia,
Milk..the 5th slot I leave open to either Valkyrie or The Dark Knight.
My picks for Best Actor: Brad for TCCBB, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn,
Phillip Seymour Hoffman and the last slot will be open to Mickey Rourke,
Tom Cruise, Hugh Jackman or Richard Jenkins. I know my wishes for
this category are the least reasonable.
My picks for Best Actress: Angelina deserves to be nominated but
the chances are looking more unlikely. She was snubbed last year
due to Team Aniston’s efforts and nasty campaigning behind the scenes
with academy members. Kristin Scott Thomas, Kate Winslet, Michelle
Williams, and I leave the last slot open for Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, or Nicole Kidman.
….
Really, Violet?
@Scott Feinberg,
Sasha said, “If I had to name the film that would PROBABLY have the best shot at winning Best Picture . . .”
She’s saying that it is a film that is good enough to win in each of those categories, so good that it would be really tough for any other movie this year to be better than it. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
@ Violet,
“the irony and parallels between Angelina and Christine
Collins are astounding. Strong woman being perscuted by institutional
corruption”
WHAT!? How can you even compare the two? How is what Jolie is going through even close to what Collins had to endure and the scars it must have left her with for her entire life?
Really, I don’t mind Jolie sympathizers that much. But to compare a famous, beautiful woman with a beautiful husband and beautiful children and a huge number of fans and amounts of money most of us could never dream of obtaining and who gets a bit of a bad reputation sometimes from foolish haters to a poor, single mother whose only son was (*SPOILERS*) lost and/or murdered while so many people she should have been able to trust denied the fact that it had happened, causing her to be persecuted to a great extent and institutionalized wrongly, etc… that’s just wrong
Seriously, who in Hollywood really gives a flying **** about Jennifer Aniston’s publicity team? When has she ever made a good movie with serious Oscar-bait? (Unless you count the terrible Good Girl, which I don’t) Jennifer Aniston does not have THAT much power in Hollywood!
“I know we all do that, to some extent, early in the season, but at this point I can’t understand how someone who hasn’t seen the films can speak with such certainty about anything in the race.
Let me be clear: I don’t fault you for not having SEEN some of the films–people get busy or whatever. But, with respect, I think you must admit there is just no conceivable way that you are in a position to proclaim a definitive frontrunner or anything when you have yet to see those others.”
Uh. I did make the disclaimer at the end. Somehow I doubt any of the other movies can be anywhere near as good as Benjamin Button – what do you think? What movie is stronger? Perhaps The Reader? I haven’t seen it yet – maybe it will be better. But this is how I feel right now, pre-Thanksgiving. I might change my mind and guess what? The earth won’t stop turning on its axis as a result. I promise you that.
*I liked Speed Racer too.
Wow, so much excitement about TCCBB.
I guess I’ll have to see the movie.
Lovely review, Sasha, lovely writing. You walked that fine line of inspiring without saying too much. And I’ve loved Taraji P. Henson’s work since I first saw her in Something New. She rocked Hustle & Flow, and was fantastic with the always wonderful Don Cheadle in Talk to Me. I hope she gets nominated.
Ryan Adams – Oh please you ignorant beefcake.
I think BB will probably be a terrific picture, considering the cast/crew involved.
I just wonder if the Oscars will eat it up as much as some think it will, considering how ZODIAC got not one fucking nomination in any deserved category like Supporting Actor (Downey) or Editing or Cinematography or Best DIRTY HARRY reference or something.
As for SPEED RACER, considering how it crashed harder than Dale Earnhardt’s death wall hit, don’t worry about any sequels.
Wow, I want to add my voice to those celebrating the eloquence and analysis of your review Sasha. Taken together with Ryan’s judgment that it is the best script he’s read of the major contenders, I’m left feeling ever more excited about the prospect of seeing what promises to be an exceptional film by a great director.
[...] אן תומפסון. סשה סטון. וכריס [...]
[...] · “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button represents a richly satisfying serving of deep-dish Hollywood storytelling. [...] Much of the film’s romantic and philosophical posture hinges on Benjamin and Daisy getting together at the right time, and they do so in an entirely satisfying way; by the time of consummation, with Brad Pitt now in full physical glory and Blanchett at her womanly peak, they — and the audience — are more than ready for it. [...] In all his physical manifestations, Benjamin is a reactor, not a perpetrator, and Pitt inhabits the role genially, gently and sympathetically. [Cate] Blanchett’s Daisy is the more volatile and moody one and, after bluntly revealing the selfish impetuousness of Daisy’s youthful self, the thesp fully registers both the passion and insecurity of the mature woman.” — Todd McCarthy, Variety · “[T]his is a film that works on every level. [...] I didn’t think that Fincher could pull off something overly sentimental. I thought it would be a few steps removed and all about the effects and the gimmick. It turns out, though, that this film is about the human experience. It’s about, as Roth and Fincher said, the people who make dents in you, who impact your life. Most of those who teach Benjamin about life are women, older women who have the benefit of wisdom. His life is shaped by them, which is probably the reason I fell so hard for the film. Too often women get the short shrift in films. They aren’t given the credit they’re due as whole human beings. I was touched by the female presence in this film, quite moved by it, I must say.” — Sasha Stone, Awards Daily [...]
[...] Stone of Awards Daily: “If I had to name the film that would probably have the best shot at winning Best Picture, [...]
[...] with Karger is Sasha Stone of Awards Daily: If I had to name the film that would probably have the best shot at winning Best Picture, [...]
Can’t stand the excitement.
Your review makes it worse Sasha, but thank you for taking the time to share your impressions.
I do hope that all concerned are acknowledged for their work, but I have to say I don’t hold my breath for Pitt. The others maybe!
He is a good actor and can be fantastic, the clips and trailer promise that this role is one of the latter performances. However his work is always under appreciated.
[...] Stone of Awards Daily: “If I had to name the film that would probably have the best shot at winning Best Picture, [...]
Thank you Sasha for your informative review of BB. I have been waiting very patiently for a more indepth understanding of this movie. It sounds most interesting and thank GOD! This year has been very boring for the most part. As for Violet’s most, hmm{ lengthy commentary? While I do agree the Pitt-Jolie’s recieve some negative press (I use this term loosely), I would like to think the populace can think for their own and make their own judgements on how good an actor and movie might be. Most of us can see thorough the self-serving and sly, negative publicity that protrays her as the injured victim (old news). Violets ramblings actually could have the opposite effect that it seems she is try to get across. If one didn’t know better one might think she works for the Anistin’s publicity team. Sly….. Thank you again for your honest and forthright opinion. The concept of the movie is very different and refreshing. I agree with your top five.
[...] pm Filed under: Academy Awards | Tags: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Sasha Stone’s extremely eloquent write-up of Benjamin Button this evening got me very, very excited for the film. I usually hate setting things up as a constant [...]
[...] Stone’s extremely eloquent write-up of Benjamin Button this evening got me very, very excited for the film. I usually hate setting things up as a constant [...]
[...] gott och blandat Brad Pitt as Gollum meets Robert Redford Fincher wants to make FERTIG with Pitt TCCOBB screening and Q&A La Times – The Big Picture Theatre of the [...]
Hey, this is a crazy message board. Really looking forward to BB it looks fantastic and am a big fan of Finchers past works. I have read up on the film and apparently Pitt had to re-enact every move the actor (playing BB at a certain point in his life) made so they were able to key his face onto the body in the correct position/light. If its as great as it looks from the adverts then there shouldnt be a reason for Pitt not being put forward for Best Actor. Wow, next year seems to be a nail biting year in the industry, its been a while! I dont think the improvements of technology should neccecarily rule out all artists who have worked extensively with CGI. Im not a huge fan of all things green and CGI but it has put some landmark films on our laps over the past decade! hope everyone enjoys the film , fingers crossed!!!
[...] Stone of Awards Daily says flat out “if I had to name the film that would probably have the best shot at winning [...]
[...] concept was drawn from an F Scott Fitzgerald short story. Check here for trailers and here for a thorough review of this [...]
[...] concept was drawn from an F Scott Fitzgerald short story. Check here for trailers and here for a thorough review of this [...]
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