Poster art for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

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Avg. Critic Score: 70 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 Iffy for 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt

    Superbly made and winningly acted by Brad Pitt in his most impressive outing to date. Read full review

  • 91
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    A curious case indeed: an extravagantly ambitious movie that's easy to admire but a challenge to love. Read full review

  • 80
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    This odd, epic tale of a man who ages backwards is presented in an impeccable classical manner, every detail tended to with fastidious devotion. Read full review

  • 80
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    Above all, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a triumph of technique. Read full review

  • 75
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    Worth seeing just for the superb prosthetic makeup and seamless computer-generated effects in which Pitt's head is digitally imposed onto older bodies. Read full review

  • 75
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    What Button shows is that Ben is ultimately not the hero of his own life or his own movie. He gets inside our head, that's for sure, but, frustratingly, we never get inside his. Read full review

  • 63
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    The movie's premise devalues any relationship, makes futile any friendship or romance, and spits, not into the face of destiny, but backward into the maw of time. It even undermines the charm of compound interest. Read full review

  • 50
    Washington Post | Ann Hornaday

    Often astonishingly beautiful, but in a way that's the problem: You wonder what visionaries such as Tim Burton or Michel Gondry might have done with the material. As it is, "Benjamin Button" is little more than "Gump" by way of "Dorian Gray." It plays too safe when it should be letting its freak flag fly. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    As enervating as it is long -- and at 2 hours and 47 minutes it is quite long -- this version of the F. Scott Fitzgerald fantasy short story is a baffling project, an endurance test of a movie that feels like it was made on a dare. Read full review

  • 25
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    The movie's excruciating length is without dramatic or thematic justification. Read full review

View more reviews for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 13+ Compelling drama takes on big life questions.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this moving, memorable film is a compelling exploration of life, death, and the enduring power of love. Despite such weighty subjects, older teens -- whose interest may initially be piqued by star Brad Pitt -- will likely find it engrossing, and even touching. Younger viewers, on the other hand, could be overwhelmed by the mature themes. Expect some sexual innuendo and nonexplicit clinches, swearing (including infrequent use of "f--k"), a sequence that includes a bit of bloody violence, and period-accurate smoking and drinking.
  • Families can talk about the movie's messages. What is it attempting to say about life, love and death? Are these messages relatable, even though the basic premise is pure fantasy?
  • Do you think this movie could have been made without advanced special effects and computer techniques? How is this movie different from other Hollywood films, especially those that rely on more obvious effects?
  • What do you think it would be like to grow up with the zest of youth masked by an aged body?
The good stuff
  • message true2 Positive messages: The movie's unique premise is ultimately used to convey messages about the flexible nature of family, the importance of approaching life with curiosity and enthusiasm, and the joys -- and pains -- of true love.
  • rolemodels true1 Positive role models: Because of his unusual upbringing and unconventional family, Benjamin grows up with much compassion. He's also very curious about the world and the people in it. He and Daisy have a rocky relationship, but it's clear that they care deeply about each other. A man abandons his baby on the steps of a nursing home, but a young woman rescues the baby and raises him. Some characters tease the child for his condition, but for the most part, people are kind and accepting.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence: A tugboat happens upon a battle at sea. Dead bodies are everywhere, with the water bloody from the corpses; the enemy fires at it. The captain is shot, and blood oozes from his chest. Some characters fire guns; there are also loud arguments.
  • sex false2 Sex: A man stands in his skivvies in front of a mirror. Some non-explicit scenes of a couple making love; in one segment, they appear to be naked under a sheet. A boy, who looks like an old man, visits a brothel filled with scantily clad women. After some time alone with a woman (not shown on screen), he appears to have enjoyed himself thoroughly. Lovers kiss passionately. A young woman discusses having casual sex.
  • language false3 Language: Some cursing, including "bastard," "goddamn," "ass,""s--tless," and, infrequently, "f--k."
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some drinking, a few times to the point of inebriation. A kid, albeit one who looks older, gets drunk. Some smoking (mostly era-accurate).
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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