1. Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Dr Steve Gaunson
RMIT University
2. Analogy
These are often 'inspired by' or 'based
on' adaptations.
• Inspired by in theme — man living life backwards
• “If words and images do not and cannot
translate, and if form does not and cannot
separate from content , then what remains to
pass between prose and a film in adaptation”. —
Kamilla Elliot
• For BB:
– form (from short story)
– Content: adapting to society
– Theme: aging
3. Expansion
• Entirely different stories
• Short story to film (166 minutes)
• Uncommon for David Fincher
– Gone Girl
– Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
4. Revision
• The short story Benjamin is a much more
complex character.
• This comes through by what is NOT shown
• Story: ALL about Benjamin
• Daisy — Cate Blanchett
• Love story
• Road movie
5. Imitation
Updates certain aspects of the source
while refusing to change others.
• Updates the story — to 2005 Hurricane
Katrina.
• Makes it more topical and less timeless
• Narrative is a mess
6. Colonisation
• Eric Roth (story and screenwriter)
• Forrest Gump
• Like Roth’s other screenplay, Forrest Gump,
Benjamin Button covers a person’s entire life
• In 1998, Ron Howard was set to direct, with
John Travolta in the lead.
• Fictional biopic — biofic
7. Questions to consider
• What are the benefits and limitations of
adapting this short work of fiction?
• How are short work adaptations marketed?
• What are the contextual and cultural issues of
updating this classic work for new cinema
audiences?
• What sort of narrative conventions does the
film apply to short works of fiction?
