"Button" buzz
Speaking of David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Paramount, 11.26.08), a longtime HE reader and sometime correspondent wrote a few days ago about a very early reaction to this adaptation of an F.Scott Fitzgerald story which costars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton with a script by Eric Roth:
"A friend of my wife's who is a costume designer was back in Pittsburgh visiting family over the holidays. During her visit we were discussing interesting projects she is or will be working on, and she said she's unequivocally excited about her latest film -- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
"Top to bottom she said the set and production was a dream, that both David FIncher and Brad Pitt were consummate professionals, and that the script was top-notch -- the only script she can recall making her cry, she said. She added that the look and scope of design of the film while ambitious is also intricate and exacting
"Furthermore, she mentioned that some of the sequences they saw that had been edited were absolutely stunning. Her desciption of the mood of those who worked on it is that of bated breath -- a near universal belief that they have made an outstanding and moving film, one that transcends and one they wish not to jinx by too much loose talk.
"I take this with more than a passing interest as she has worked on Traffic, all of the Ocean's movies, Solaris and Miami Vice
"My point is that she has been on top-notch productions and is not prone to be star struck or taken aback by every project she works on. However, in this case, she thinks this will be one of the highlights of her career."
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM
comment #1
Rod32303
says ...
Here's more star fucking for you - my best friend's cousin is an attorney in St. Thomas, where some of the movie was filmed. She also (the cousin) works at a marina, and was in charge of driving the mini-yacht boat thingie that took Blanchett and Pitt around the island.
She said Cate Blanchett was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen - even more beautiful without make-up, and that Brad Pitt was not only a total pro, but "hilarous." Great laugh, and couldn't be nicer. She said they were "cool peeps" and just very positive, hard working folk.
Posted by Rod32303
at January 1, 2008 6:38 PM
comment #2
lazarus
says ...
I loved this Fitzgerald story when I read it about 15 years ago, and though there's certainly some visual gimmickry involved, it's nice to see Fincher doing something that looks like more of a human story. High concept-wise it sounds similar to Forrest Gump, minus the Boomer-pandering soundtrack, subversive conservative moralizing and eye-rolling "moments in history" gags. I don't think it's a stretch to say that come this time next year, we could be looking at a serious Oscar run for Pitt, and perhaps Fincher's first acknowledgement from the Academy.
Posted by lazarus
at January 1, 2008 6:40 PM
comment #3
JD
says ...
Fincher interviewed Jake Gyllenhaal for Interview magazine when Rendition came out and he (Fincher) certainly wasn't shy about raising expectations. He said that he felt Benjamin Button was the best work of his career.
Posted by JD
at January 1, 2008 7:12 PM
comment #4
Jay T.
says ...
Fincher is in my eyes the best director to receive almost no credit when it comes to awards. Maybe this will change that (unless Zodiac pulls an upset of some sort).
Posted by Jay T.
at January 1, 2008 8:24 PM
comment #5
actionman
says ...
Fincher will get his due down the line
Posted by actionman
at January 1, 2008 8:44 PM
comment #6
Redmond
says ...
After washing off the stink of Panic Room with the outstanding Zodiac, Fincher has my money for Benjamin Button.
Posted by Redmond
at January 1, 2008 8:51 PM
comment #7
MAGGA
says ...
So Fincher gets passed over for Zodiac this year despite being regarded by many as one of the years best, and releases a more emotional film next year? If Button works it will be very strong come Oscar time
Posted by MAGGA
at January 1, 2008 8:53 PM
comment #8
le corbeau
says ...
Get ready for three solid years of pumping up Benjamin Button.
Posted by le corbeau
at January 1, 2008 9:06 PM
comment #9
PerfectTommy
says ...
If you haven't read "Benjamin Button" - here it is:
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/f/fitzgerald/f_scott/jazz/chapter7.html
This sounds to me like Fincher's Burton film, which is much more intriguing than that Scott/Cameron film he did that I really hated.
Posted by PerfectTommy
at January 1, 2008 9:34 PM
comment #10
PerfectTommy
says ...
Do my eyes deceive me or was that an ad promoting Amy Ryan for best supporting actress at the top of the page?!? I would have thought Wells would have told those PR people to keep there white trash promoting blood money.
Posted by PerfectTommy
at January 1, 2008 9:41 PM
comment #11
PaulKolas
says ...
I already regarded this film as the one absolute must-see of 2008 before reading these enthusiastic comments, and now my fervor has reached even loftier heights. The only other film that even comes close for me, and only because Richard Yates' novel is an underappreciated American masterpiece, is Sam Mendes' "Reservation Road".
Posted by PaulKolas
at January 2, 2008 6:37 AM
comment #12
Breedlove
says ...
I can't think of a movie I'm more excited to see next year. I could see this winning Best Picture. I don't understand the Scott/Cameron reference...what are you talking about? Fincher's never made anything like a James Cameron movie...Tony Scott? Ridley Scott? Don't get it...but I certainly expect Benjamin Button to be much, much better than anything Tim Burton has ever made. Fincher and Burton shouldn't be mentoned in the same sentence.
Posted by Breedlove
at January 2, 2008 9:50 AM
comment #13
cobhome
says ...
this film has a lot of fingerprints on it - Spielberg considered doing it - and before Fincher got it - Burton had it - gave it up to do Sweeney Todd - personally - I am thrilled Fincher did it - and can't wait to see it - but based on Blanchett's comments about it - seems like it is a sad sad story -
Posted by cobhome
at January 2, 2008 10:21 AM
comment #14
PerfectTommy
says ...
Breedlove, I was talking about Alien3, a film I really hated. In fact, it took me along time to give Fincher's other work a chance because of it. I happen to like Burton (esp. Pee Wee to Ed Wood) but I am very happy Fincher is doing this rather than Spielberg or Burton. I don't think either of their takes on this story would surprise me but I'm hoping Fincher's will.
Posted by PerfectTommy
at January 2, 2008 12:12 PM
comment #15
Breedlove
says ...
I remember when Spike Jonze and Travolta were going to do it...And I actually like Alien 3. Not near the level of the first two, but a very watchable movie...
Posted by Breedlove
at January 2, 2008 12:54 PM
comment #16
Rod32303
says ...
You should give "The Game" another go...Douglas does really fine work in it, and Penn is a hoot, all loose cannon and running around, and Deborah Kara Unger is sexy as hell.
Posted by Rod32303
at January 2, 2008 1:39 PM
comment #17
Jay T.
says ...
Alien 3 - pass, he was learning. But since then it's pretty impressive...
Seven - actually quite underrated, one of 1997's best films.
The Game - quality thriller all the way, and has really held up well.
Fight Club - was underrated at the time at least in terms of critics awards, but has ended up having a huge cultural impact that sort of gave Fincher the last laugh IMO.
Panic Room - for a popcorn movie it's impressive.
Zodiac - also underrated, but I think respect for this will grow over time (it may take a few years).
While I'd like to see Fincher make a few more movies in the next decade than the last, his resume is damn impressive and remarkably consistent. There's not a single throw-away film in the bunch.
Posted by Jay T.
at January 2, 2008 3:26 PM
comment #18
Jay T.
says ...
Yes, I know Seven was released before 1997 - no need to correct me.
Posted by Jay T.
at January 2, 2008 3:27 PM