This film was, well, curious.
The actual story that is narrated by Benjamin is embedded into a frame story that takes place in 2004, in New Orleans during the time when Hurricane Katrina is coming towards the city. A dying mother asks her daughter to read her from a diary. This diary is that of Benjamin Button's and this is how his story is told. I don't really want to write anything else or go into details why his story is curious because I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
Other than being interesting the movie was quite long. It's more than two and a half hours. I wasn't bored of it, though. As I mentioned, it is narrated by the title character. I like movies that are narrated, it makes them a bit more real, I guess. This narrator is also a really wise man, so it's like there are a strings of truths said there but in the simplest way possible. He's not trying to be smart or anything, it is just the way he sees the world.
One thing that I don't really understand is the frame story. Why did it have to take place during the hurricane? I can only think of it serving to reflect the inner conflicts of the daughter and the mother during they read/listen to the story, but even then I don't think it was necessary. In my opinion it didn't really add to the story. As for me, it would have had the same effect even if it had taken place on a bright and sunny day. I might miss something, though.
Nevertheless, I very much liked this film. If you have three hours and don't have problems with essentially sad stories, then this is your movie.
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