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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Date: Feb 04 2009

Themes: History, Romance

Grammar: Be Able To

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

If you think about it, being really old is pretty similar to being really young…but it’s not as cute. You need the most help taking care of yourself, you have the hardest time moving, and your mind is weakest when you are a baby and when you are very elderly. In many ways, we leave this world in the same state in which we enter it.

Brad Pitt’s latest movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, is about a character who is born an old man and ages in reverse. He gets younger and younger, until he becomes a newborn baby, and then he dies. Cate Blanchett plays his love interest, a woman who ages the normal way. Even though they love each other and are meant to be, they can only be together for a short time, when they both reach midlife and their ages finally match up.

Benjamin Button was nominated for many awards. Marni loved it, but Mason isn’t sure he agrees with all the rave reviews . Listen to them talk about it.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  I just recently saw Benjamin Button. The curious case of.

Mason:  The curious case. You know, what I find to be a curious case is the many parallels between that and Forrest Gump.

Marni:  Well, written by the same writer.

Mason:  Oh. Well that would explain it.

Marni:  There you go. It had a very Forrest Gump meets Big Fish feel.

Mason:  Forrest Fish. Big Gump.

Marni:  Well, a beautiful film. I mean, visually stunning. And, just, a very sweet portrayal of this man, and his life. And the whole concept of aging in reverse…I find it very fascinating.

Mason:  Right. I kinda liked what they were able to do with the relationship between he and Cate Blanchett. And it’s like, you hear so many times in relationships that it’s bad timing and stuff like that. It was a really interesting way to kinda carry out that sorta thing.

Marni:  Yeah, absolutely. Well, the writer based it on the premise of that saying that “youth is wasted on the young.” So, he just toyed with that idea and wrote this script.

Mason:  So all of that said, I mean, I really enjoyed the film, but it didn’t really get me that much. I mean, I don’t really think it’s worth all the praise.

Marni:  Really? Thirteen Oscar nominations?

Mason:  No, I think that’s kinda ridiculous, I mean, I don’t know. What, did it do something to you?

Marni:  I cried. A lot.

Mason:  A lot? Like just, not just at the end?

Marni:  A lot.

 

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Discussion

Mason and Marni both saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Mason thinks it has a lot of similarities to Forrest Gump. Marni points out that the same writer made both movies.

Marni thought the movie was beautiful and interesting. The most interesting part for Mason was the relationship between Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt. They had bad timing in their relationship because for most of their lives, they weren’t the same age.

Even though Mason liked the movie, he doesn’t understand why it’s gotten such rave reviews. He thinks 13 Oscar nominations is too much. But Marni disagrees. She was really moved by the film.

Are you a fan of Brad Pitt? Can you think of other ways that being old is like being a child?

 

Comments

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graceodol

Senegal

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03:11 PM Apr 07 2012 |

sabynette22

Algeria

i haven't seen it but it's a gr8 movie

03:48 PM Dec 07 2010 |

sara.tarek

Egypt

i love it very much its very nice Smile

12:25 PM Jan 22 2010 |

mbarbi11

Hungary

I also think that this film was very very amazing. The idea to reverse life-time was interesting to see:-)

It is a very nice film!

09:51 AM Aug 08 2009 |

xingyun weng

China

yeah,it is great

09:19 AM Jun 07 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

Humm…In a way,yes…The both cases needs special cares and the both,in a way,are dependents! ;)

06:55 PM Feb 10 2009 |

yukkimin

yukkimin

Japan

Forrest Gamp is impressive film to me.

I haven't yet watched this movie.

but  after reading the article,I have a sense that this movie is worth watching. 

06:41 PM Feb 10 2009 |

yukkimin

yukkimin

Japan

Forrest Gamp  is impressive movie for me.

 

04:24 PM Feb 10 2009 |

dengchunmeimerry

China

How great the love is!I`d like to see the movie next time!

10:52 AM Feb 10 2009 |

romeo0555

romeo0555

Ukraine

Bratt Pitt is the greatest but I expected more from this film.

12:53 PM Feb 09 2009 |

justecho

justecho

China

I was touched by this emotional!

04:24 AM Feb 09 2009 |

danichikis

Brazil

This movie is really fantastic! I enjoyed it very much!

06:59 PM Feb 08 2009 |

anastasia.h

China

I like the way that you guys write articles.

'Being really old is pretty similar to being really young…

but not it's cute.' :)

Good job!

01:01 PM Feb 08 2009 |

siberian tigger

Mexico

Well. You know when a man likes a special woman, he would be honest with that person in order to mantein their relationship.

Thanks a lot.

Have a nice days.

05:07 AM Feb 08 2009 |

ElyMoore

ElyMoore

Colombia

i loved the film, I think it worth it…...

10:47 PM Feb 05 2009 |

Billie joe

Colombia

I´m desagree with 13 nominations Benjamin buttom  film have winning, because even though the film is moving there is nothing especial, just "the curious case" that looks like Forrest Gump film… 

One thing is true and I agree with the writer, "Youth is wasted on the young"

03:50 PM Feb 05 2009 |

wcjwcj2008

wcjwcj2008

China

maybe It tells more than that we have same state when we are young and very old.

12:49 AM Feb 05 2009 |

nour_2

nour_2

Syrian Arab Republic

i’m eager to see that movie…...

09:32 PM Feb 04 2009 |

maloud

maloud

Poland

It's gonna be massive. I must see it. It's David Fincher's movie- he is my favourite director.

08:05 PM Feb 04 2009 |

carlosblack

Brazil

 13 nominations is too much for that movie,it doesn't deserve it that much…just because Brad is in it,it sounds like overprotection

03:12 PM Feb 04 2009 |

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