The curious case of Benjamin Button

I went into the movie with an open mind and hoping for the best. After nearly 3 hours, I was very disappointed in the movie. The characters lacked depth, Brad Pitt didn't breath any life in Benjamin Buttons but walked around cold and detached from everyone and everything as if he was bored with the role (similar to his performance in Meet Joe Black), some scenes went on way longer than necessary to get to the point and the constant introduction of various characters but then no follow up as to what became of them or how they were even relevant to his life. I think if they had cut out about 30 minutes out of this nearly 3 hour movie, it might have been better. I understand he was trying to show how people are connected and at the same time subject to random acts, but his presentation of it was so random, it got lost in the translation. In addition, one must have an understanding of when important historial events happened because he does not provide any kind of indication as to what year you are in or how old he is. I sat there trying to calculate how old he is and how many years he had left, but by the time I figured out what year they were in, it was already another 10 years (more or less) into his life. I know they shouldn't have to put little subtitles about what year it is or how old he is, but since his age is a primary factor, you tend to think about it and constantly wonder how old he and how much more time he has left and how much more time I had left watching the movie. I wanted to give this movie at least 3 stars, but after thinking about it, I could only muster 2 due to how annoyed and disappointed I was by the end.