The Fountain

Rated PG-13 for: some intense sequences of violent action, some sensuality and language
Running Time: 1 hr., 35 min.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz

Rating: Three stars [out of four]


There are weird movies and then there are weird movies, films where you're not even entirely sure what you just saw or if you even liked it or not. The Fountain, the new film by Darren Aronofsky [Pi, Requiem For A Dream] definitely falls into the latter category.

Aronofsky mined some pretty strange territory in his previous two films, especially 1998's Pi. But this thing takes the cake. I can honestly say that this is probably the strangest film I have ever seen.

Now, is that good or bad? The honest truth is, I really don't know. I can objectively look at the film and say that there were aspects I liked and disliked about it, but as far as my personal, overall emotional response to the movie was? Did I enjoy it? It's kind of hard to tell. I'd have to give it at least one more viewing to try and determine that [as well as completely grasp the plot.]

So, instead of telling you that it's a good movie or a bad movie overall, I'll instead give you a summary of the film, discuss things I did and didn't like about it, and hopefully give you a better idea of whether or not you'd like to see it yourself. This movie, more than anything in recent memory, really is so subjective- some people will absolutely love it, some will hate it, and some won't be able to decide. So instead of trying to convince you one way or the other, let me just put everything out on the table.

So, for those not familiar, the film stars Hugh Jackman [probably best known as Wolverine in the X-Men films]as Tommy, a research scientist whose wife, Izzy [the beautiful Rachel Weisz] is dying rapidly. Tommy's only hope for saving her is a mysterious substance found in an ancient tree that seems to be a miracle cure. In other words, the tree is basically symbolic of the fabled Fountain Of Youth.

That story takes place in modern times, but there are also two parallel stories going on as well. Izzy is busy writing a novel, also called The Fountain, about a Spanish conquistador [also played by Jackman] who is asked by the queen [played by Weisz again] to retrieve sap from a mysterious tree [there it is again] that can restore life.

Then there's the really strange one: Tommy, bald and very zen, hurtling through space five hundred years in the future with nothing but the aforementioned tree to keep him company.

In the present, Tommy races against time to try and find a cure for his rapidly fading love. As Izzy moves closer and closer to a calm acceptance of her fate, Tommy runs desperately away, trying everything in his power to avoid what appears to be inevitable and pull off a miracle at the last minute.

As far as the other two plotlines go- well, you'll just have to watch those yourself, for two reasons: A. going into them too much could spoil them, and B. I'm not entirely sure what happened myself [though I have a pretty good idea.] I can't quite say that it all makes sense in the end, but it gets pretty close, and maybe with repeat viewings we'll get a complete understanding.

The movie's message is simple yet beautiful- cherish what you have and appreciate your loved ones before they're gone. Those little moments that you take for granted will only haunt you later if you don't take advantage of them now.

It's also about the finality of death and coming to terms with that inevitability. I've heard it described [from Aronofsky himself] as a "love letter to death" and that seems to be the case. This is finding beauty in that which seems to have none; in ultimately falling in love with your fate, and accepting, with open arms, whatever lies beyond.

I won't lie to you- this movie can be a bit tedious at times, bordering on boring. Then again, as I said ealier [and is really the case with ALL movies, though maybe more with some than others] that's subjective. Some people will love this, others will hate it. The best advice I can give is to go in with an open mind and just absorb the movie for what it is. Trying to piece together the plot as you watch pulls you out of the film. There's plenty of time to do that afterward. Just sit back, relax, and absord the experience.

Visually speaking, the film is a mixed bag. Some of the sets seem way too much like a movie set, and that pulled me out of the film a bit. On the other hand, the scenes in the future are absolutely beautiful; dare I say possibly some of the best shots ever put to film, at least since the advent of the CG era.

Jackman and Weisz are perfect in their rolls, and the chemistry and love between them is tangible. Jackman especially really lets go here, tearing open his heart for all to see. It's a very moving performance.

In the end, The Fountain may or may not go down in film history as a terrific movie, but, even if it ultimately fails the test of time, at least we can say Aronofsky tried. He made a challenging film with some really amazing elements to it- and that's more than we can say for most films these days.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America To Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Rated R for: pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language
Running Time: 1 hr., 23 min.
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian

Rating: Three stars [out of four]

In theaters now


There is a lot of hype right now for the new film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America To Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. Nearly every review I have read has not only said it is an amazing movie, but also has used hyperbole such as this being "the best comedy of the century" and "one of the best comedies ever made."

Ok, let me clarify: in my opinion, that's hyperbole. While Borat certainly has its charms, and while it is innovative and very, very funny, it's NOT going to go down in history as one of the best comedies ever made. The best comedy of the year? Well, it's definitely in the running. Best comedy of the century? I don't think so.

Having said that, Borat is very entertaining- if you're into that sort of thing. For those unfamiliar, Borat is a character created by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, for the HBO show Da Ali G Show which has become something of a cult phenomenon. On the show, Cohen [as Borat] would interview various people for a television in his home country of Kazakhstan and put himself into awkward social situations to not only mine comedy but also expose prejudice. The character is rude, obnoxious, naiive, anti-Semetic [though, it should be noted, Cohen himself is Jewish] and, despite all of that, actually somewhat charming.

When it was announced that this idea was to be transferred into the realm of feature film, the big question was whether or not it would fly as an hour and a half theatrical release. After all, it's one thing to watch this sort of comedy in small doses on television; it's quite another to stretch the concept three times as long and play it on the big screen.

Borat does end up pulling of this feat, however, and manages to evoke quite a few belly laughs from beginning to end. In a time when most comedies barely elicit more than a few chuckles, it's refreshing when a film comes along that can actually have the audience howling with laughter.

The story is this: Borat, along with his producer, Azamat [played by Ken Davitian] heads to America on behalf of the government of Kazakhstan in order to make a documentary about the states and its culture.

While in New York City, Borat has the good fortune [for him, at least] to catch a re-run of Baywatch and has a revelation: Pamela Anderson is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.

Ulterior motive in hand, Borat convinces Azamat that they should take a cross-country road trip to California to "better" their documentary. Of course, his real plan is to find and marry Anderson.

And so the journey begins, and we're treated to a mixture of scripted and unscripted comedy. It's very easy to differentiate the parts of the movie that are fictional and those that are real moments with unsuspecting people.

The genius behind Cohen's comedy is the way that he exposes prejudice amongst the population. You can't help but laugh [and grimace] at some of the confessions he gets from people, and you shake your head in both disgust and surprise as you're reminded that, yes, there really are, in the year 2006, people out there who are ignorant and bigoted to an astonishing degree. For example, Borat, while speaking to an old cowboy at a rodeo, mentions that in his country, homosexuality is a crime punishable by death, an idea to which the cowboy enthusiastically takes.

There's also the culture clash between Borat and his unsuspecting victims, as when he mentions to a group of feminists that, "women have smaller brains than men," or he happily brings a bag of feces to the dinner table during an otherwise upscale party.

Yes, there are moments of crude humor here, but it's done well and cleverly. This is dumb comedy for smart people. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there has been quite a lot of hype about the social commentary underlining the film. While I'm sure that's in there [apparently in spades] I have to admit that, upon first viewing, I didn't really pick up on too much of it. I think it's probably subtle, and I was too wrapped up in the laughs to pay much attention. This seems to be the type of thing to be noticed more upon repeat viewings [or maybe I'm just slow.]

There's plenty to enjoy here, and the film is funny all the way through. Though, again, I wouldn't say that this is, by any stretch of the imagination, "the best comedy of the century," I will say that there are plenty of moments here that are absolutely hysterical [just wait until you see the outragous fight in the hotel room. Not for the squeamish.] Also, it should definitely be mentioned that some of the things Cohen pulls off here is pure genius, and the man has courage to spare with some of the situations he places himself in that the rest of us wouldn't even dream of doing, all for the sake of comedy.

So, my recommendation would be to turn a deaf ear to the hype machine surrounding this picture, go in with an open mind and you'll enjoy. It's a refreshing, funny, bold piece of cinema.