Although I have yet to watch the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, after stumbling across /this\ particular trailer I have become a great deal curious about how original the film idea for this movie was.
For someone such as myself who has only seen Forrest Gump, my initial reaction to this movie trailer was not only amusement but also a strong feeling that the producers of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button copied off of Gump’s original plot. However, I was shocked to later discover that the book Benjamin Button was based off of was produced in 1921, 65 years after the novel Forrest Gump was published.
As just another member of the audience I truly don’t know who copied off of who, or if anyone copied at all. It is quite possible that this entire cycle of confusion began with Winston Groom (writer of the book Forrest Gump). However there also could have been a problem with how the books were interpreted by the film directors that resulted in the existing “clone-like” similarities between the two films.
After a small amount of research I was even further intrigued that both Forrest Gump and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button were tagged with exactly 13 academy award nominations each. To me though, this is just a prime example of how originality can fail entirely without the majority of the public even taking notice.
On a side note, I am not certain of how long this link will continue to work for. After the producers of Benjamin Button discovered the origin on this parody, they have been cracking down everywhere to destroy it in order to keep their ratings up. I’m hoping that “The Curious Case of Forrest Gump” will remain online, particularly because of how amusing it is; although I worry it may be terminated.
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I have not watched that link and will not because I have no sound on my computer. I will tell you, however, that I have seen both Forest Gump (like...12 times? It was basically my freshman civ class curriculum to play it on loop) and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
ReplyDeleteThere are exactly two differences between these movies:
#1-They both use the literary device flashbacks. They have scenes from current times and then flash back to the story. This is not unique to these two films/books, however. Saying that this is a serious similarity is like saying that every book, play, movie, or essay that uses a metaphor is the same.
#2-Neither movie has a steady plot line of girl loves boy. The lead girl comes and goes in both movies.
Now, saying that, you may say 'hey, they both have boats,' or 'hey, they both have weird family situations.' Well, I can name 20 other movies that have boats and weird family situations, but are all 20 of those movies the same? No.
To say that every movie or book that uses a red balloon, or a television, or a cat is the same is to say there is no such thing as originality.
Now, might I point out that Forest Gump the book was written in 1986 and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was written in 1921. F. Scott Fitzgerald could not have copied an author that came 60 years after he wrote his short story.
May I also point out that "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a three hour movie based off a short story. A short story bey definition is less than 100 pages. Any similarities drawn between these two movies can ONLY be drawn between the movies, and not the books. Benjamin Button was a lot more condensed: purely about a man who ages backwards. Gump, on the other hand, is just as much about overcoming the difficulties of social retardation, the turbulent 60's, the fabulous 70's, and the malicious 80's as it is about a love interest. Button maybe, maybe touches on the 70's and 80's for a few minutes out of three hours.
So yeah, in conclusion: nothing alike. The person who made that comparison is on crack. ._.
Also- Button's a good movie. If you can spare/sit through 3 hours, see it before you make the comparisons.
^two similarities. Sorry, fail.
ReplyDeleteOriginality in American film making is dead in my eyes. Yes, I do believe Ben Button was inspired by Forest Gump. The trivial part is that I did read what you said about it being based off a book produced in the 20s. This leads to, well it wasn't based solely off Gump, but still had a backbone not created for the sole purpose of itself. I really don't appreciate films now a days due to the fact that movies are all pop culture and monetary gain. As long as movies like Meet the Spartans are at the box office, my respect for them isn't. Originality may not be dead, because once in a while a wonderful film is produced. Gran Torino was released and it blew me away, but for the most part you are correct. In reading Moon's comments, I am amazed at how in depth you got with this comparison and I agree firmly. I do hope though, that most producers take a step back to the older days and create masterpieces for the intent of dropping jaws, not filling their wallets by copying off others or having no creative drive except that to gain cash revenue.
ReplyDeleteAs was pointed out above me, there is basically no similarities between the two movies. Although I did find the College Humor video slightly funny, it also made me angry. I feel that people who see this video before watching Benjamin Buttons won't see the movie, which would be a shame. I can assure you it is one of the best movies that has come out in years. On the topic of originality in modern movies, I do agree that there are a lot of sequels and remakes coming out now. However, I don't think that this is always a bad thing. The modern remake of Oceans 11 is way better than the original, which was extremely slow paced and seemed to drag on for hours. Every year, countless bad films are released, while only a few good ones make it into theaters. This isn't a new phenomenon, however, as bad movies have existed for as long as movies have. Every year, movies are criticized for being unoriginal and bad. However, every year new, unique films are also released. This is how it has been, and how it always will be. I think it's just important to take every review you read with a grain of salt, and make your own opinions.
ReplyDeleteI also saw this link, I actually watched it before I saw the movie Benjamin Button but after seeing Forest Gump multiple times. I then viewed Benjamin Button and I will say that it was hard to ignore the differences between the two. There was the typical go to war, meet the girl, and learn the lesson plots that we seem to find in all of these epic movies. Although I agree the similarities are obvious we have to keep in mind that ideas are constantly recycled. Both are great movies and deserve recognition. If we expected to find all original ideas within media we would never be satisfied. So I think the point here is just to take it for what its worth, purely entertainment value. Movie makers know what type of dramatics we want to see and they are just responding to the common culture of American film.
ReplyDeleteI just finally got around to watching that link and I've gotta say--wtf. There was absolutely no real similarity. WWII/Vietnam, yes. Meet the girl, have her leave, have her come back, have her leave, have her come back, yes. That's it. Even the time on the boat can't be counted as a similarity because they're both so different.
ReplyDeleteAnd I mean, the endings are also very different, as are the ways both men go through their lives between major, tramatizing events.
If every idea in today's world had to be origional, we'd all stop thinking right now. There's a reason why the greatest authors are also the greatest bibliophilies.
:)