Eric Roth, the writer of the screenplay had the gift of adapting a short story by one of America’s great writers, F Scott Fitzgerald.

This short story evolved into an almost three hour motion picture. Nevertheless, it held my attention throughout ... no napping in this film!!

The story addresses serious life questions that have faced people throughout the ages. In the promotional brochure, the producer, David Finchers, says "It’s about mortality and life and the people and places we meet along the way, and the way we’re touched and affected by those people. And I do think it is scars that they leave, these impressions that remain. And the way you’re changed for better or worse by those around you."

In our house we watch a lot of vintage movies – early talkies (1930, 40, 50). We’ve noticed that in these older films, we understand every word. We never have to rewind to get the dialogue. Not true today. For some reason today’s actors frequently ‘throw away’ lines. It was accentuated in this film because there was a dying elderly woman telling part of the story. It’s a crime to ‘throw away’ an F Scott Fitzgerald line.

The intriguing concept Fitzgerald uses to throw light on these issues is to have his protagonist be born old and grow younger throughout his bazaar lifetime. In "CAMELOT", King Arthur would say (as he does regarding Merlin) he ‘youthens’.

Taraji P. Henson as Queenie presents a deeply touching performance, a definite Academy contender. Brad Pitt’s work as Benjamin Button is solid - and a definite step forward from the light-weight action material he is usually associated with. And of course, Cate Blanchett is stunning and as genuine as ever playing a character who ages over decades.

Overall, a strong, sensitive, thought-provoking motion picture.

Screenplay by Eric Roth
Screen Story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
From the Short Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Ceán Chaffin
Directed by David Fincher

Cast:
Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, Tilda Swinton

Rated PG-13, 164 minutes