The child is discovered by Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) and her boyfriend Tizzy (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali). She takes him in and raises him like her own son. It doesn't hurt that she is also the live-in help at a home for old folks, a place where Benjamin fits right in and it is also easy to keep his secret.
No one really knows why Benjamin was born this way, or what will happen when he grows older and older, and the film makes no attempt to explain why his life is the way it is. It is probably for the better. It moves forward in such a way that you have no choice but to accept it and move on. Forget about the utter implausibility of the device and see the device for what it is trying to accomplish. What it is trying to accomplish is the hard part. Frankly, I am not quite sure. There is something to be said for its look into life as a series of vignettes, watching the world pass you by without ever being truly a part of it.
The first act of the film follows Benjamin through his formative years. He seems perfectly adjusted to his state, moving slowly like an old man, but having an inquisitive mind that wants to learn and wants to play. Still, he is astute enough to restrain himself from getting in too deep in most cases, although occasionally succumbing to the desire to explore. It is here that he first meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett), the woman with whom he falls in love, yet who he only spends limited time with as life takes them along different paths that only converge for mere moments.
The second act sees Benjamin strong enough to live on his own and curious enough to leave the old folks home in order to explore the world. He finds work on a tugboat and serves on it through World War II. He also experiences intimate love, having an affair with a British woman (Tilda Swinton) living in Russia. It is an experience that has an effect on Benjamin, but does not last.
Article comments
1 - kate washintogon
i loved the story and the movie it was relly cool how the made him look rellay old
2 - robert blass
i loved the story i read it to my kids you reads it to them seles now it was relley cool, and i loved to read over and over again.ilove to listin to my kids read it because i know they can enjoy something i enjoy.
3 - Amy Will
If you ever contemplate life, you should see this movie. It was very well done. The story sticks with you for the rest of the day. It is never too late to change who you are.