Those are the final words of the burly, heavy-drinking Captain Mike (Jared Harris), whom Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) meets when he takes a job at sea aboard the Chelsea tug boat.

It is one of many scenes in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which depicts how fleeting life can be. And, despite his misfortune, what an extraordinary life Benjamin Button leads.

Button’s life is upside-down. He comes into the world as a wrinkled, aged baby, whose bones gradually grow stronger, his hair grows thicker and his face more taut and youthful.

The longer Button lives, the younger he gets.

The film is ultimately about Button’s journey through a life filled with romance, hardship, grief and an unwavering ability to hold on to hope despite the hurdles he must try to overcome.

Pitt fits the role perfectly. His Button is a wide-eyed, innocent old man in early life, eager to make the most of his time, which he has been told is not very long.

Button grows up in a retirement home in New Orleans and befriends many of its residents. He soon comes to realise what may be the most difficult aspect of his life – everyone is growing older without him.

Button also befriends the granddaughter of one of the residents, Daisy (Cate Blanchett), who is undoubtedly the love of his life.

Button and Daisy’s relationship blossoms when they both hit middle age and for this short period, half-way in their lives, they are the perfect couple.

But Button and Daisy are heading in opposite directions, one to the cradle and one to the grave, and their brief happiness is a stark reminder that life is made up of moments, none of which last forever.