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.