The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button reviewed by Mark Kermode

[professor4444]

thumbs up for mork

[mypalsatan]

Hopefully a bit of a hyperbole.

[mypalsatan]

The Great Gatsby as the greatest novel ever written? Really? 

[wcjones451]

@mypalsatan I disagree with the statement, but its not THAT ridiculous...

[mypalsatan]

@wcjones451 Well, I suppose he could've cited something much worse.

[JOSKE123100]

it's a very good film, i thought. it could have done with half an hour being cut out of it, but i found it oddly profound. Not as profound as Mr Pitt's greatest performance in easily the best film of the noughties, 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford', though. Now that film was a masterpiece...

[terratrema]

@JOSKE123100

I actively despised both films. Although I'm certainly glad that American cinema tries new things every now and then, even if some of those things should be artistic failures, like these two pieces of skat.

Hey, it's just an honest exchange of opinions here.

[supersatanic]

I agree.This movie sucks. It's staggering that Fincher followed up a masterpiece like 'Zodiac' with this.

[Maloperverso]

8:52, who else lived backwards!?

[thecolorunknown]

I think Slumdog is so overrated.

And the retarded dance scene at the end was cringeworthy..

[trexguy]

It was better than Slumdog Millionaire.

[changehope9662]

hmmm everybody's a critic.....

[TheHitherto]

I think Mark was being way too merciful here. This movie was nearly three hours of toxic waste, camouflaged as a laughable attempt at making a profound and meaningful statement about life. There are no acts of extreme violence strong enough, no swear words bad enough to describe what I think about it.

That it was made by the same guy who's made movies like Se7en and Fight Club just makes it even more absurd.



[ogfunk187]

spot on review.

[77Fortran]

mayo sucks

[SimarilRL]

Slumdog Millonaire is one of the most over rated movies of all time, its cheesy as hell... Benjamin Button was for me a master piece.

[ogfunk187]

@SimarilRL noob

[terratrema]

The movie was boring. For many reasons. I only have 448 characters left so I'm not going to get into all that.

I will say this. The movie was exasperating because no one really seemed to notice Benjamin's condition, or whatever it was. People might say to him "You're unlike anyone I've ever met." But no one ever said "Hmm, I wonder why it is that you are aging backwards. That's quite unusual, isn't it?"

How the fuck was I supposed to take this movie even fractionally seriously?

[RedSandStudios]

@terratrema You aren't because it's FICTION. Get it?

[terratrema]

@RedSandStudios

Oh yes, you're right!

I walked into this movie knowing fine well it was directed by David Fincher, starred Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, cost $200m of a major Hollywood studio's money, yet I was still expecting a documentary.

Silly me. You really put me in my place.

SERIOUSLY THOUGH, why should I be expected to emotionally interact with a movie when the whole premise of the movie, and they way the premise is handled, is unutterably stupid?

Answer me.

Well, go on, answer me!

[RedSandStudios]

@terratrema Then why even bother watching any movies - there aren't many you can take seriously.

[terratrema]

@RedSandStudios

Mmmn, you may be taking what I say a little bit too literally.

Look, Toy Story 3 is about as non-believable as a film can get - it's about small toys that magically come to life when there are no humans watching, and oh, by the way, it's entirely computer animated. Yet I was sucked right in from the word go - I quickly and easily found myself believing in the alternate universe in front of me.

Not so with Benjamin Bumhole. You don't have to agree, but surely you understand?

[maldoman23]

@terratrema Are you serious? They mention it numerous times. Watch the movie again

[terratrema]

@maldoman23

I don't want to watch the movie again. It bored the living Christ outta me.

I already pointed out that the characters mention Benjamen's condition or whatever. But that's all they do, mention it. No one tries to understand or comprehend or come to terms with it.

Yes, the film is a fantasy. But so is Jurassic Park. At least in Jurassic Park, the method by which dinosaurs were brought back to life was explained to us, and characters were well aware of how amazing their situation was.

[NedsMissingTeeth]

It's telling me nothing at all!

[TheEvilelvis89]

David Fincher is seriously my favorite director of the last 20 years. He's just such a perfectionist and he knows what he's doing every step of the way. Much like Stanley Kubrick.

[andymc24]

1:24

[ec123456789able]

i liked this movie. it was quirky but interesting. i was still interested at the end.

[pionicor]

It's a story about his life. He is basicly complaining that Life doesn't have a meaning. Guess what. It's not the movies fault.

[Colt2571]

@pionicor i dont want to pay ten bucks to see a story about somebody's boring ass life that doesnt have meaning.

[damselwithadulcimer]

"If I'd been awake more, I would have laughed." That about sums it up.

[JimBobTheFrog]

@chinahands100

I think in any art form, there has to critisism from a neutral figure, otherwise one will never progress artisitcally and make films/plays etc and believe they're the best films/plays in the world

[KronantheBarbarian]

Did he suggest that F. Scott Fitzgerald stole the idea from Mork *.* I know he didn't but what a really stupid comment.

[chinahands100]

it always goes back to critics..why dont they ever direct or a screen play?

as they know so much..as for kermode i think he's like most critic's to full of themselves.

[51yourtimeisup]

he really hates films that say "hey... you know... where all a bit... arn't we?"

[jamchew1982]

LOL "it's all the points of the compass, spectacular"

[kustomkure]

well maybe I am an ass but I wasn't impressed by the movie at all

[calicocutlass]

7:25 lol.

[agentblackacid]

I love Mark's reviews and even when I disagree although the point he makes about Benjamin's life story doesn't make sense "Where is he going? Why is he going there and when he gets there is there actually going to be any point in it?" Erm.... isn't that just like life? Do any of us really have the answer to those questions about our own lives? So why should a film about someone's life be any different & make sense? "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon

[ehmazin]

@agentblackacid

Is he not talking about the structure of the film?

No reasons given or buildup to situations

[nightwatchman86]

i want my money back for watching this

[che2233]

One word: PAEDOPHILE

[ROCKYMARCIANOXX0]

If you enjoy this, or any other movie, you shouldn't give a flying fuckedy fuck what anyone say's about it.

[jequierh]

it seems he doesnt like anything

[crusadah]

@jequierh he doesnt

[tyruk]

@crusadah

You're slightly off-base there, boss. He does in fact like something.

Twilight.

Which tells you everything you need to know about him, lol. Go figure.

[binstig]

@tyruk Just because he wasnt afraid to stand out and say what he liked about it doesnt make him a bad critic. He also likes many films which I would myself regard as some of the greatest of all time (ie Pan's Labyrinth, Mary Poppins etc)

[TulseLuper]

@tyruk Yeah but he also likes There Will Be Blood, The Assassination of Jesse James, No Country for Old Men, and other recent great films.

[tyruk]

@TulseLuper

So do I -- so do most people.

[TulseLuper]

@tyruk Right, I'm just pointing out that he doesn't hate every movie he sees.

[drplbiftin]

@crusadah actually he does

[bluelinestudios]

Before babbling nonsense, you should perhaps watch all of Kermode's reviews and then you will see there is quite a number of films he likes, or even passionately loves. What he dislikes is pointless and bad films, and while I'm not a devout follower, I do agree in about 98% cases.

[Nigelwest930]

The only problem with the Benjamin Button movie is that it was ever made. I fell asleep several times during the movie, and was tearful each time I awoke to find it still running.

[gibboanx]

Kermode is my favourite critic. I agree with him 60% of the time and disagree with him 40% of the time. Benjamin Button is the later

[SuperEightWriter]

You're an idiot.

[gibboanx]

damn, well that statement proves me wrong. bravo chap

[SuperEightWriter]

"bravo chap"? ok so I really am dealing with an idiot.

"There's no denying the sheer ambition and technical prowess of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. What's less clear is whether it entirely earns its own inflated sense of self-importance..." The Washington Post.

"The movie's premise devalues any relationship, makes futile any friendship or romance, and spits, not into the face of destiny, but backward into the maw of time." Rodger Ebert.

Not that any of this will mean much to you chap.

[gibboanx]

well chap, let me respond with a review in my own words, not other peoples. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an elegant, understated epic which proves to be Fincher's (a genius, see Se7en, Fight Club and Zodiac) most accomplish film to date. You probably hate it because it's overly sentimental or maybe you just don't like Brad Pitt. Well I love Brad Pitt, if i had to fuck one man it'd be him.

Benjamin Button is intelligent, beautifully shot and is acted superbly.

Also it's Roger Ebert!

[SuperEightWriter]

Ok I should have known from the whole "chap" thing but that last comment has made it very clear... You're just a weirdo.

[Transformers217]

It was some great acting and cinematography. But it's emotionally stale, and has some bad writing with a distracting plot hole that was built to manipulative the emotions of the audience.

[etocadet]

im the same I either agree completely or disagree completely

[gibboanx]

thank you, same here

[4gearkier]

I hated this film. But I really like David Fincher.

[Apathesis0]

How can he claim it is not original because of Mork and Mindy when the short story preceded that show by decades?

[Ruffleswolf]

Because he's talking about a film and not a short story?

[keflar5]

they should of just done the film all about the boat captain, it gets a little bit emotional at the end but it really is boring and uninvolving, i was hoping there would be some racial aspect to it that wasn't there. the only good bit is when he meet his childhood sweetheart and shes a bitch

[rachelbell100]

( i want to see how many thumbs up i get)mark kermode is the king

[KingOfTheShrews]

@rachelbell100

You're almost at a hundred ;)

[djmattcarter]

I read the story in about 15 mins & I was really looking forward to seeing the film. However, I have to agree with Mark, it dragged on and on and turned out to be pretty pointless. What a shame

[bazza0173]

I loved Monk n Mindy!

[AuthenticPunkDance]

I disagree - the seemingly pointless directions Benjamin travels, such as the boat, the war, the old people's home, hurricane katrina, etc. are there to add to the realism, to ensure that Benjamin is seen to live an 'ordinary' life, and drive home the point that life is the same whether lived backwards or forwards.

[larma7]

Yeah, but that's a pretty uninteresting idea when drawn out for 3 hours.

[busenlilly1]

who lived life backwards?

[Graynven]

I thought that the taxi bit was meant to be a relief from her being mean.

[bigtittyv1]

i hated this movie it was really a waste of money

[larma7]

Such a great review!!!

Yeah, the effects are great . . . . but who cares???

The film is empty. A shell of a film, and seemingly entirely pointless!!!

[Nopperabou]

She actually just walked in front of the taxi.

[canvoodoo]

pure shite

[tylerdanielblack]

I must have smoke in my eyes as well.

[reservoirdog666]

slumdog = 1000 times better movie

[larma7]

So is The Wrestler . . . what a shame that this movie was nominated for Best Pic but not The Wrestler!!!

[Wittmann73]

kermode is right

[Snarg3000]

What does Kermode mean when he says Danny Boyle saw Forrest Gump for exactly what it is?

Does that mean he liked or disliked?

[TulseLuper]

Well Kermode praises Gump in this review so it would follow that Danny Boyle liked it. Apparently Boyle defended the film by saying that no movie in which a mother tries to seduce a school principal to get her son into a school that she can't afford is as conservative as it seems.

[B1ggu5]

It's a compliment I believe.

[bluebirdsin]

This guy is an idiot. Benjamin Button was absolutely brilliant. He probably thinks Will Farrell is a great actor and Jim Carey is funny too. Dumb ass.

[xsilentxxseabreezex]

You clearly have never listened to Kermode before.

[TheConciseStatement]

You're one letter short of making any sense whatsoever.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Thank you.

[Bhuvano]

Kermode simply nails it!

[milicbul]

what the fuck is wrong with this guy?! i saw about 10 of his reviews of excellent movies like benjamin button, watchmen and very funny movies like tropic thunder and he pissed on each and every one of them. i think a movie critic should like other movies besides citizen kane. he shits on every movie and every director! would really like to beat the nerd shit out of him, pretentious motherfucker

[badhead]

He's one of the few critics who tells it like it is. I dont always agree whith him. But he's not pretentious and arty talking about symbolism. He gets to the point. There is a lot of films he likes as well.

[milicbul]

maybe i'm wrong, but still, some movies that he reviewed are considered to be excellent by the public, and when one person shits on it, it's kind of his mistake and bad taste

[glycerine139]

He's a film critic- the point is for him to give HIS opinion of films, not say what other people think about them... that would be kind of dull, don't you think, if he was like I'm not gonna be negative about this film, yknow, because it seems that the public like it.

Also, some pretty crap films have been very popular eg pirates of the carribean 3, marley and me, so lots of people going to see it hardly makes it a great movie.

[Gaalsien]

Critics are always supposed to side with public opinion?

[Cacophonaut]

@badhead actually I imagine he does talk about symbolism, just not on a more populist platform like 5live. Dude has a PhD, he will have studied concepts (such as the auteur, mis-en-scene, generic codes & conventions, intertextuality) that you would almost certainly consider "pretentious", but are in fact part of the essential toolkit for film analysis. In my experience, most people use the word "pretentious" to dismiss something they find intellectually intimidating.

[Johnny6666]

@Cacophonaut Eloquently put, Sir.

[Kick17]

oh god i think i must be the only person who liked this film and personally i dont really see anything wrong with a film being simmilar to another. Anyway its not like forest gump was the first of its kind

[RighteousBrother]

Well you're clearly not the only one who liked this film considering it was one of the best reviewed films of the year.

[JimmypinJimpin]

Sounds like one of the most drawn out, nonsensical premises for a film ever.

[Redondo]

You are wrong about The Watchmen but I totally agree with you on this. One of the most overrated films of all time!

[SpeedFreakNO]

Watchmen, not The :P

I like both movies btw..

[captain07234]

Don't always agree with him, but when he is right, he is right. He absolutely right about this pretentious dribble.

[bluebird0892]

yea it was a shit pompous film.

next!

[bluebird0892]

couldnt agree more, wanted to like it but couldnt actually stay awake, shame.

[partycats]

i hated it and was quite glad when she got hit by the taxi !!!! that film was 3 hours of sheer hell !

[sulijoo]

BB was a thinly disguised "Give me an award!" movie, like '7 Pounds'. It was a lame ego-trip for Brad Pitt, nothing more, and I'm glad it was ignored at the Oscars. It's especially thrilling to see a low-budget rags-to-riches British flick about the slums of Mumbai wiped thew floor with the lot of them, though that probably has more to do with Hollywood trying to woo Bollywood than any artistic merit.

[richandiben]

I'll give it a go.

[Guedingen]

The music's enough...

[6000mphx]

I saw this film, it was gloopy trash. Kermode is spot on.

[trexguy]

Benjamin Button is the best film after

Wall-E, Be Kind Rewind, and Leatherheads. Its too bad those films were not nominated.

[trexguy]

Oh Mr Kermode I cant disagree with you more. Out of the 5 films nominated BB is the best one! I must say that you still made me laugh. Love your show!

[amalmavani]

completely spot on review - i saw ben button before seeing this and as i listened to kermode i realised that i thought exactly as he did while in the cinema. slumdog better win the director/film awards at the oscars this film is shocking!

[puzZzlewithpans]

oh i always agree with kermode (apart from breaking the waves) this was terrible. it showed pitt and blanchett weaknesses as actors. one minute longer and i would have eaten my own hand off!

[BigBoss7777777]

This guy is a douche but I do agree with his review.

[ELCNUmorFnaMehT]

Why do you think he is a 'douche'?

[lbvedj]

mark kermode is so full of shit!!!!

[richandiben]

Button is the Worst film I've seen in a long time, I saw Slumdog the week before - now THAT is a brilliant movie!

[Chick6517]

that was so funny i really cant believe you guys did that and have de guts to put that stuff out here for the public to see gotta give u props.

[Sapphonouveau]

'She dances hither, she dances thither..' rlol!It's the death of narrative cinema, and she comes wearing a tutu.

[tomwhitaker]

I really wish he'd start respecting his listeners a little more and not chucking out spoilers for comic impact. He seems to assume that once he's slated something, no-one else is going to want to see it and therefore plot details that should be kept under wraps don't need to be.

[DoctorHello]

The film isn't that bad. I enjoyed it actually. The better film I've seen coming out of mainstream Hollywood. The film captures and covers the life of the odd and unique individual, Benjamin Button, who experiences life - the world, death, love and time - differently from normal human beings.

[DoctorHello]

Though I agree it could have done more to explore and show the dilemmas and consequences of a human being who ages backward on philosophical and psychological levels, the film does touch the subject to some degree.

[DoctorHello]

My favourite sequence in the film was when he was in his teen age and traveling the world as a backpacker. In that seq, he speaks about the human condition, life and change. It'd been nice to hear more about his inner thoughts as he experiences life differently.

[welshuser]

I went to see this yesterday afternoon, while this was being broadcast. He's so right! What should have been magical and facinating, turned out to be cold and shockingly dull. I usually love Fincher's work (I even like Alien 3!), but he really shot himeslf in the foot here.

[slimjimpui]

Nanoo Nanoo!

[Gnomeslair]

Ahhh, that was hilarious. Especially that dancing bit...

[pimpinspartan]

man he should review the love guru its like the worst movie ever made

[DanielMumby]

You clearly haven't seen Titanic: The Animated Musical...

[TulseLuper]

He is so, so right. I love Fincher's previous films, and I think Brad Pitt is a terrific actor, but it's like everyone working at their best for nothing. It's three hours of gorgeous emptiness. I'm glad Slumdog Millionaire is taking all its awards; it's a far superior film.

[jacko12345]

I think Kermode was spot on as usual. Although this film spanned a lifetime, it never seemed to go anywhere and got me sleeeepy.. All a bit pointless in the end.

[pypeworld]

Brad Pitt suffers from the curse of being a really excellent actor, who just happens to also be a strikingly handsome man, shame most people can't except his acting skills above his looks.

[Jellyform]

I liked the film but I didn't really care about any of the characters. It certainly inst deserving of any of the awards its nominated for.

[BrotherJosephus]

I have been encouraged to watch 'Benjamin Button' as part of my scriptwriting module, see how it turns a short story into a three-ish hour film.