the curious case of benjamin button

i first heard about this movie from kuya a few weeks ago after he chanced upon its trailer. i could not fully recall what he was saying except that he kept repeating how beautiful cate blanchett was in the movie (he knows i'm a fan) and how interesting the plot of the story was. i didn't even recall what the title of the movie was even after i personally saw the posters plastered all over Davao when i went to visit last month. by that time however, my attention had already been captured since the title of the movie carried a very mysterious lure to it, coupled with that fact that cate blanchett (kasi fan nga ako, diba!?) was also a main character, for truly, the curious case of benjamin button was indeed, curious.

watching the last full show last night at greenbelt was a bit too indulgent if i may say so but i sincerely could not prolong the wait any longer. risking the ire of a dotting, over protective mom for inconveniencing ourselves and others for coming home so late just for a movie... i bought the tickets anyway for the 11:15 screening.

people i knew had already seen it when it came out on thurday and from their strained looks, i also knew they were just DYING to tell me the story and how much they loved it. at the risk of instantaneous DEATH by decapitation with my machete, i have forewarned them all about spoiling it for me. i am very protective of my movie viewing, more so since i have no other "vice" besides that. the escape movie watching provides for me is one that i relish with gusto, a guilty pleasure, though not as guilty as having *toot* inside the *toot*, it serves it's purpose still as i come out of the theater, fully satisfied. it of course needs to be said that i become even more excited when the experience involves majestic cate blanchett and hearing uber thick voice. some of my friends laugh at my misplaced fervor... then i show them my machete. hehehehe.

the movie was as how i had expected it to be.... simply beautiful. it was sweet, tender, lovely, touching, and just riveted with great acting! from beginning to end i was captivated. brad pitt was superb, though i have always thought he simply gets by with his looks, his performance in this movie was definitely spectacular. cate blanchett was impeccable as always, i knew this much already. her style, her grace, her presence was utterly mesmerizing, even if buried in heavy make up! i just wished i could have heard her beautiful diction again. i missed it in the movie. tilda swinton, though her part was short, was equally magnificent. i recall keanu reeves saying once how he wanted to play opposite her in constantine... this is why. she won an academy award last year, this is why. i know only so few actors who by simple exercising a brief stare could freeze you in your seats. tilda can execute such a stare. the talk, the walk, the way she handles herself on screen was just perfect.

as the credits rolled after the movie ended, i found myself dumbfounded and speechless. a few moments later as kuya started to stir in his seat, equally awed, the words "oh... my... GOD!" finally escaped from my mouth. i swore if i wouldn't have looked like an idiot for doing it, i would have clapped and whistled (even if i don't know how) when the lights went on after the movie. i was in ecstasy! it has been a LONG time since i have experienced watching a well made movie. it has been even LONGER since i have seen one made as well as this, the english patient was the last one.

apart from the great acting, the superb actors, the cinematography and all the other technical aspects of the film, what i liked probably the most was the story. despite the complex plot and rather intriguing premise of a child being born old, who grew younger as he aged, the story felt surprisingly simple to digest. it was a story about people, everyday, ordinary people (yes, i bump into pygmies regularly!) and about the lives we lead. it told the story of our joys; our pains; our hopes; our regrets; our dreams; our realities; our loves; our losses; our humble beginnings, and our eventual ends. it was a story about the earnest pursuit of living.

ahhhh, lovely.