The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
David Fincher's visually stunning epic follows a man who ages in reverse, weaving a sweeping tale of love, loss, and time across the 20th century.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: David Fincher
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 2h 46m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 25, 2008 (Canada - 14A), December 25, 2008 (United States - PG-13), February 6, 2009 (United Kingdom - 12A), January 27, 2009 (Germany - 12), February 4, 2009 (France - 12), February 13, 2009 (Italy - T), February 6, 2009 (Spain - A), February 12, 2009 (South Korea - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Benjamin Button (US), 返老还童 (CN), Podivný prípad Benjamina Buttona (SK), l'étrange histoire de benjamin button (FR), ベンジャミン・バトン 数奇な人生：2008 (JP), Ciekawy Przypadek Benjamina Buttona (PL), 奇幻逆緣 (HK), 벤자민 버튼의 시간은 거꾸로 간다 (KR)
- Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, The Kennedy/Marshall Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Plot
Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flits in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer. Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Benjamin Button's extraordinary journey unfold:
Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments.
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David Fincher
Main Cast
- Brad Pitt
- Cate Blanchett
- Taraji P. Henson
- Julia Ormond
- Jason Flemyng
- Tilda Swinton
- Mahershala Ali
- Jared Harris
- Elias Koteas
- Phyllis Somerville
Writers
- Eric Roth
Producers
- Frank Marshall
- Ceán Chaffin
- Kathleen Kennedy
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - FAQs
Where can you stream The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is available to stream on Paramount Plus (including Premium, Essential, Amazon Channel, and Roku Premium Channel tiers) and fuboTV. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Free viewing is available on YouTube Free (with ads) and Kanopy.
Is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button based on a true story?
No, the film is not based on a true story. It is adapted from a 1922 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which is a work of magical realism and fiction. Screenwriter Eric Roth substantially expanded the narrative, relocating the story to New Orleans and adding entirely new characters and storylines not present in Fitzgerald's original tale.
Who are the main actors in this film?
Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button, with Cate Blanchett as his lifelong love Daisy Fuller. The supporting cast includes Taraji P. Henson as Queenie, Julia Ormond as Caroline Fuller, Jason Flemyng as Thomas Button, Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth Abbott, and Mahershala Ali as Tizzy Weathers.
What is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button about?
The film follows Benjamin Button, a man born with the physical appearance of an elderly person in 1918 New Orleans who ages in reverse throughout his life. As he grows younger while the world grows older, the story centers on his enduring love for Daisy Fuller and his extraordinary journey through the 20th century.
Did The Curious Case of Benjamin Button win any awards?
Yes. The film won three Academy Awards at the 81st Oscars: Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, and Best Makeup. It received 13 nominations in total, including Best Picture, Best Director for David Fincher, and Best Actor for Brad Pitt, making it one of the most-nominated films of that awards season.
What is the age rating for this movie?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is rated PG-13 in the United States, meaning parental guidance is suggested for viewers under 13. The film contains some sexual content, brief war violence, and thematic elements related to aging and mortality. In the UK it carries a 12A certificate, and in Germany and France it is rated 12.
How long is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has a runtime of 2 hours and 46 minutes (166 minutes). Its extended length allows the film to trace Benjamin's life across multiple decades, from post-World War I New Orleans through the late 20th century, giving the epic love story and period drama ample room to unfold.
How was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button received by critics?
The film earned strong critical praise, holding a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics lauded its breathtaking visual effects, Alexandre Desplat's score, and the performances of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Some reviewers found the pacing leisurely, but the film was widely celebrated as a visually stunning and emotionally resonant achievement.
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