Film Analysis Story vs. Film - Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Film vs. Short Story Analysis– The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
In reviewing the Paramount film adaptation of The Curious of Benjamin Button, directed by David Fincher and screenplay by Eric Roth, with the original story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, one may conclude that there are more differences than there are similarities. The film version does maintain the main premise of the story, in that, it tells the tale of a man born old that grew up to be young, a story on aging. I will attempt to provide you with my view of the two mediums regarding their characters, settings and elements in the film that enhance or distract from the story.
First, let’s review the characters in the main story, of which there are few in the literary story numbering about 17, where the film contains over 50 characters plus the extras. We will stick with core characters of the film and start with the main character, Benjamin Button, who was born old and aged to his youth that was portrayed by Brad Pitt in the movie. The story version of Benjamin has more humor about him whereas the movie version was more of a romantic with only rare glimpses of the humor that is portrayed in the original story. An example of the humor found in the story is when Benjamin was born his father needed to get him home but the hospital only supplied a blanket. So the father was forced to run and get him men’s clothing, when he was leaving to go shop for his son Benjamin shouts out as he leaves, “And a can, father. I want to have a cane.” (Fitzgerald p.163) I had to chuckle because how does he know he needs this, he was just born. Though both versions were old men that grew up to be young men, their starts were very different. The film portrayed Benjamin as a baby that was aged like an old man but in relevant size, whereas the story had Benjamin the size of an old adult. Again, the humor of a woman being able to carry a child of that size is just absurd. The men grow up to work but the two versions are
In reviewing the Paramount film adaptation of The Curious of Benjamin Button, directed by David Fincher and screenplay by Eric Roth, with the original story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, one may conclude that there are more differences than there are similarities. The film version does maintain the main premise of the story, in that, it tells the tale of a man born old that grew up to be young, a story on aging. I will attempt to provide you with my view of the two mediums regarding their characters, settings and elements in the film that enhance or distract from the story.
First, let’s review the characters in the main story, of which there are few in the literary story numbering about 17, where the film contains over 50 characters plus the extras. We will stick with core characters of the film and start with the main character, Benjamin Button, who was born old and aged to his youth that was portrayed by Brad Pitt in the movie. The story version of Benjamin has more humor about him whereas the movie version was more of a romantic with only rare glimpses of the humor that is portrayed in the original story. An example of the humor found in the story is when Benjamin was born his father needed to get him home but the hospital only supplied a blanket. So the father was forced to run and get him men’s clothing, when he was leaving to go shop for his son Benjamin shouts out as he leaves, “And a can, father. I want to have a cane.” (Fitzgerald p.163) I had to chuckle because how does he know he needs this, he was just born. Though both versions were old men that grew up to be young men, their starts were very different. The film portrayed Benjamin as a baby that was aged like an old man but in relevant size, whereas the story had Benjamin the size of an old adult. Again, the humor of a woman being able to carry a child of that size is just absurd. The men grow up to work but the two versions are
Cited: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald (Handout). Collier’s. 27 May 1922. Fincher, D., Roth, E. & Swicord, R. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Paramount Pictures. 2008. Viewed November 7, 2010.