How apt that you're discussing Benjamin Button, because I just saw it this afternoon.
I can see how the "boring" description could be applied to it, but I did enjoy it very much. I like movies that tell a story gradually, taking time to savor their characters and settings, and that aren't afraid to dwell on moments that other movies would rush through. I guess that's the reason "Barry Lyndon" is one of my favorite films.
I've been wondering why Benjamin's character was so unremarkable in itself, and the reason I came up with is that he's there to allow the people who choose to care about him to be their best selves. He listens to, empathizes with and loves them unconditionally, making no demands, just accepting what is offered. He seems to be storing up everything about them. Why does he go from old to young? It's an interesting idea to explore, I guess. It's his own particular pain--never to fit in, always to be going in the opposite direction to the ones he loves. It gives him a certain clarity but keeps him apart. Far from worshiping youth, he fears its helplessness as others fear the infirmities of old age.
I thought Brad Pitt was lovely in the role. Yes, his eyes could be more alive, but I thought the same thing about Christian Bale in "The Dark Knight." The compensation is physical beauty and an aura of sweetness that fit the character well. To a large extent, it may have been simply a choice; anyone who's seen him in "Twelve Monkeys" knows his eyes can take on a mad, penetrating look. I often think of Brad Pitt as a younger Robert Redford; he's another one more known for his looks than his emotive ability. Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actors, and she was terrific as usual. But she wasn't given any real scenery-chewing opportunities either, which makes me think the director made a choice to keep histrionics out of the film.
I failed to catch the original reference to the humming bird, so every time one showed up I was clueless as to its meaning. Can anybody enlighten me?