Movie inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story.
Voters for the 81st Annual Academy Awards were apparently dazzled by the journey of a man who ages backward in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” When the Oscar nominations for 2008 were announced bright and early in Beverly Hills today, this film was mentioned 13 times — more than any other. For some 13 is an unlucky number; not in this case.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is inspired by a short story written in the 1920s by one of the 20th Century’s best known writers, F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film was nominated for best picture and best director, along with “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Frost/Nixon,” “Milk,” and “The Reader.”
Brad Pitt who stars as Benjamin Button was nominated for best actor with Richard Jenkins “The Visitor,” Frank Langella “Frost/Nixon,” Sean Penn “Milk,” and Mickey Rourke for “The Wrestler.” Best actress nominations went to Anne Hathaway for “Rachel Getting Married,” Angelina Jolie “Changeling,” Melissa Leo “Frozen River,” Meryl Streep “Doubt,” and Kate Winslet “The Reader.” Streep has won two Oscars, Jolie one Academy Award.
“The Dark Knight,” a favorite with many moviegoers, picked up 8 nominations, but only one in a major category. The late Heath Ledger who gave a remarkable performance as the Joker scored a nomination for best supporting actor. Ledger is up against Josh Brolin “Milk,” Robert Downey, Jr. “Tropic Thunder,” Philip Seymour Hoffman “Doubt,” and Michael Shannon “Revolutionary Road.”
For best supporting actress: Amy Adams “Doubt,” Penelope Cruz “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” Viola Davis “Doubt,” Taraji P. Henson “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and Marisa Tomei “The Wrestler. Tomei won an Academy Award in this category for her performance in “My Cousin Vinny” (1992).
Best adapted screenplay: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Doubt,” “Frost/Nixon,” “The Reader,” and “Slumdog Millionaire.” Best original screenplay: “Frozen River,” “Happy-Go-Lucky,” “In Bruges,” “Milk,” and “Wall-E.”
The Oscars will be handed out to the winners during a live broadcast at the Hollywood Kodak Theatre on Sunday, February 22, 2009.
