Time Warp Done Right

David Fincher takes a leap in his directorial career with “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” an examination of life at a distance, from end to beginning.

Brad Pitt, in the title role, opens the movie with the narrated confession: “I was born under unusual circumstances.” Here, Fincher reaffirms his fascination with the abnormal as seen in his previous films (“Fight Club,” “Zodiac”).

Loosely based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of the same title, the movie follows Button, a New Orleans man in the unique situation of living from old age to infancy. He experiences extraordinary things in between, not least of which is surviving World War II. But his pure affection for his lifelong friend Daisy (Cate Blanchett) is offered as the most remarkable facet.

Screenplay writer Eric Roth’s storytelling is at its best both fantastically and historically as he utilizes events as long past as World War I and as recent as Hurricane Katrina. A number of anecdotes and time jumps serve as augmentations to the tale, not interruptions.

Fincher’s direction lessens the noir of his earlier films, finding delicacy for the material and content of “Benjamin Button” when he is known for edgier work.

The high point of the film, besides stunning and imaginative cinematography, is the cast. Pitt successfully tackles what is perhaps one of his most challenging roles, impressively reconciling physical and mental acting. Blanchett delivers a relatable, inevitably tragic performance as Daisy, whose chronology clashes with Benjamin’s longer than it converges. Supporting actress Tilda Swinton provides emotionally endearing realism.

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” lacks any moral to inscribe on its audience, and some may find this a waste of three hours in their normally advancing lives. Others may appreciate the film – undoubtedly on the Oscar short list – for this truth: life, going any direction, has points worth a closer look.