David Fincher’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story about a man who ages backwards is certainly a fantastic film. Best picture? Quite possibly. Fincher’s best film? I would say no. This is a very complicated story that filmmakers have tried to tackle for generations. Fincher took it on because technological advancements of digital video have made it possible to finally do these sort of aging effects justice. He succeeded and there is no doubt the effects are stunning. No one will be surprised if this cleans up in the visfx categories, but I do have to say that I was not a big fan of the digital cinematography. The most beautiful scenes are the ones shot by Tarsem on film during a travel interlude towards the end. They look gorgeously imperfect after watching the crisp digital throughout (I saw it on digital projection and would be interested to know how the film transfer differs). The acting is superb and both Swinton and Blanchett have shots at Oscar Noms. I would guess Pitt is a bit more of a long shot with such a crowded field this year for actor. Last year’s Zodiac may not have been the most entertaining film of the year, but I was so impressed by Fincher’s direction. I left the theater feeling he had not made a single misstep. I wish the same could be said here. The flashback narrative device is distracting (those fluorescent lights in the Hospital made me cringe) and the digital effects for the vignettes bothered me too. Why go so heavy handed with these techniques when you have such strong material? Take all those bells and whistles out and you have probably one of the best stories ever told on film… except, without the film.