The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

[Brad Coelho]

I think of this story in this way:

Old people always complain that they want to be young again, asking "What if I could wish to be young again? Oh, how I wish I wouldn't suffer!" Well, this story's lesson is this: we are only young once: time is a constant strand, and we can't cheat death, no matter what. So, even though Button degressed in age, he still died. So, either way, young or old, death is coming. Also, old people should enjoy being old, as Button didn't even really got to accomplish anything -- as he wasn't "wise."

Be careful what you wish for on the surface, there are underlying consequences to even the most seemingly blissful fantasies.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I found this to be a poor story. It was a wonderful idea, and I think Fitzgerald could (and should) have done something more with it. I just commented about Fitgerald's prose that he is a master of exemplifying the idea of "show, don't tell" (as in Tender is the Night and Great Gatsby), but in this he seems to just throw it on the page. I also remember not feeling much of anything for Benjamin; he seemed so underdeveloped emotionally.

The movie was okay. The first hald was great, the ending amazing, but man, did it drag. I also saw the movie first, which may have changed how I would've found the book had I read it first, since the movie was so grand and emotional.

[Brad Coelho]

Is it just me or do short stories make for a more satisfying film experience?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Oh, definitely. With a short story, the film version can actually cover everything that happens in a short story, or in the case of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, add to it. When it's a novel, there just isn't any way to put all of it into a film without taking parts out, with exceptions (Fight Club comes to mind). I think that's also why TV mini-series also work better for novels.