Benjamin Button Is Forest Gump Part 2

Hollywood Still Running Out Of Ideas

December 26. 2008

Critics and bloggers are complaining that Brad Pitt's new film “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button” (Paramount) which is adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1921 novel of the same name, is too much like the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump” (Paramount as well).

This is where it gets fuzzy. Both movies were adapted from novels by the same Hollywood screenplay writer, Eric Roth and released by the same studio, Paramount.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at the premiere of "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button”

It is being stated Eric Roth strayed from Fitzgerald's 1921 novel "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button” and poached items from Andrew Sean Greer's book “The Confessions of Max Tivoli.”

Roth and co. are claiming earlier drafts of the script for “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button” were written before the book “The Confessions of Max Tivoli” was published. However, the public would require copyrighted proof of that and the exact contents of what was previously written, to confirm that claim.

Angelina Jolie

“Forrest Gump” was adapted from the 1986 novel of the same name written by Winston Groom. It has been stated that it too is much different from the book upon which it was based.

Jennifer Aniston

Either way, F. Scott Fitzgerald did it first.

Either way #2, Brad Pitt has more important things on his mind, like the beatdown he just caught at the box office on Christmas Day from his ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston. Angelina Jolie's lips can't save you now, pretty boy. No wonder Aniston did well in a dog movie. She was married to one for years.

Is Benjamin Button a Forrest Gump remake? Fincher and critics speak

Critics have a lot more to say about the film "The Curious case of Benjamin Button" than comparing it with the legendary "Forrest Gump."

Despite great expectations for the film which took five years to make, critics are not unanimously satisfied…

The movie has also been compared to Robert Zemeckis' "Forrest Gump" starring Tom Hanks attributing many of its ideas to the 1990's film. Fincher, the director, in comments addressing the comparison says that while Forrest Gump was an ordinary character in an extraordinary context, Benjamin Button is an extraordinary character in an ordinary context, he told MTV in an interview.

http://www.ibtimes.com

2008 Christmas Box Office Records Set by Marley & Me and Benjamin Button

However, despite complaints that it is too much like Forrest Gump and Brad Pitt's Benjamin Button is too passive, Benjamin Button is set to make a lot of money. With all the other Oscar contenders being small indie films, being a box office favorite could ensure that Benjamin Button is heading for the Oscars.

If Benjamin Button becomes the token box office hit Oscar nominee, the Academy may have less of a need to nominate The Dark Knight along with it. Big box office could make Benjamin Button a threat for a win again, despite few critical awards so far.

http://www.associatedcontent.com

‘Benjamin Button’ is ‘Forrest Gump’ redux

Screenwriter Eric Roth is no doubt hoping that you won’t notice how many of his ideas from “Forrest Gump” have made it into his adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novella “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” And even fans of that earlier film may find themselves overburdened; “Gump” director Robert Zemeckis isn’t exactly known for his light touch, but next to “Button” man David Fincher, he’s practically Ernst Lubitsch.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com

Were Benjamin Button and Forrest Gump separated at birth?

But elements of the movie about reverse aging are unmistakably like another Paramount movie that was once of the most original and poignant movies to come out of big-budget Hollywood in a long time.

There are, as we and others have noted, some obvious comparisons between "Button" and "Forrest Gump" -- the blank-slate main character whom big events seem to find, the Southern setting, the screenwriter Eric Roth, the sweep through history (especially wars).

http://www.riskybusinessblog.com

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: A Clarification

To borrow a line from Lou Lumenick: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is this year’s Forrest Gump. This is not really arguable.

http://blog.spout.com

'Benjamin Button' a grown-up Forrest Gump

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is curious, indeed. Not just his case, though it's curious enough -- a man is born old and ages backward -- but the film as well. Director David Fincher is known for such edgy, dark movies as "Se7en" and "Fight Club." Here, he's made a Forrest Gump for grown-ups, with Brad Pitt as his Tom Hanks, a simple, decent fellow who forges ahead in life despite obstacles in his path.

http://www.floridatoday.com

Movie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

There's a lot of "Gump" in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." This meandering parable about a man born old who ages into adulthood, then youth and finally infancy, is a film that meditates on love, aging, death, each to its season. Since it was written by the same fellow (Eric Roth) who adapted "Forrest Gump," "Button" has many "Gump" characteristics.

http://www.military.com