The Fountain (Full Screen Edition)

 

 

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I take to task the various reviewers that lambaste this film due to it's non-linearity and apparently confusing storyline. Aronofsky does not make films that are easy to watch, or easy to figure out the deeper themes of for that matter. The Fountain is purely an abstract hypothesis, or rather three, that are woven together in a glorious cinematic representation that is so beautiful to watch that the need for a defined narrative takes a bow in favour of the visual splendour. If you are so inclined, you can get the general idea of what the character motivations of Jackman and Weisz are in their triptych representations. When peeled back, it's actually not that complicated - love is an engine that if you let it, will drive you to do anything for whom you bestow it upon. This theme is interwoven through three time periods, all photographed by third time Aronofsky DOP collaborator Matthew Libatique. There are enough films out there to fulfill the mainstream's insatiable desire for easily digestible, instantly forgettable, high-carb, low substance genre fare. The Fountain, on the other hand, and other films such as Michel Gondry's The Science of Sleep, Spike Jonze's Being John Malkovich, and the entire catalogue of Peter Greenaway, fulfill a vastly different mandate. These film-makers are artists painting from a different cinematic palette, whose films may work better when played on a white wall in the contemporary wing of an art gallery. A setting such as this would most likely find an audience more in tune to the non-mainstream dynamics that films such as these represent. Not to say the average cinema go-er shouldn't try to expand their horizons every now and then, it's just that The Fountain wasn't made to be an average film for the average viewer, so people should keep that in mind when they view then review it.

Darren Aronofsky has never made movies that were easy viewing. Examples? Just watch "Pi" and "Requiem For a Dream," and you'll see why this underrated director has made one of the most astounding sci-fi movies in ages.

"The Fountain" is basically a sprawling tale that is half "real," half outside the mind -- love, immortality, death, grief and a tangled plotline that may take a few viewings to get right, but is exquisite in its simplicity. Not satisfied with depth, Aronofsky also makes it an absolutely stunning visual experience.

Research oncologist Tommy (Hugh Jackman) is trying to find a cancer cure by animal testing, so he can save the life of his dying wife Izzie (Rachel Weisz), including an unsanctioned test from a mysterious tree. As she hopes for a cure, Izzie has been writing a book about a Spanish conquistador who is seeking the immortality-granting Tree of Life.

As we see in other flashbacks, that conquistador is a version of Tommy (and Izzy as Queen Isabella). And far in the future, Tommy still struggles with his wife's loss, as he travels to a distant nebula to revive the tree. But as he finally gives in to his wife's last wish, he becomes enmeshed in a mysterious rebirth that stretches through the ages.

"The Fountain" got a royal whupping from critics, and was even booed by test audiences, who presumably couldn't understand the three storylines -- or rather, one non-linear storyline, in which the lines between reality and imagination are blurred. Perhaps all of it is true, or perhaps Tommy's mind is creating the 1500 and 2500 scenarios to help him cope.

As befits a movie that tackles so many deep themes, Aronofsky weaves mythology, creation beliefs, religion and the fear of death together, and binds it together with the universal theme -- love that even death can't overcome. The dialogue tends to be more spare than the story, rather than loading it down with unnecessary ponderings.

And he does it beautifully and surreally. The whole movie is tinged in gold -- gold light, gold costumes, gold Tree of Life, gold nebula, gold deserts. The camerawork is filmed poetry: there are sweet moments like planting a seed in a grave, the Tree lit by the sun, and the sight of Tommy inside the nebula. The most exquisite moment comes when Tommy kneels before Izzy, under the Tree, with drops of golden light falling around them.

This is undoubtedly Jackman's best movie, making us feel Tom's love and sorrow for Izzy ("There's no hope for us here. There is only death"), and the lifelong struggle against death. Your heart really breaks for him. Weisz is sweet and wilting as Izzy, and the chemistry between the two leads makes their time-busting love seem entirely reasonable.

Aronofsky has made a story that is pure art, exquisite in theme, and while you might have to watch "Fountain" a few times to really "get it," but you won't regret the experience. Even if you don't like it, in an era of bland popcorn movies, its ambition is worth praising.

I had to write a review after seeing what's already here. The Fountain might be the best movie I've seen. It is both visually stunning and has a very powerful message. It is a cohesive film, but it takes a bit of effort to get into. I was still thinking about it for days after I saw it. If you don't like things on the abstract side, and are looking for easy entertainment, don't see this film. If you're after something a bit more cerebral and artful, give it a try, it is extremely rewarding.

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1.0 out of 5 stars space-faring trees, plights & flights of fancy
non-chick flickers: Head scratching/scathing lunacy & headaches Ahead.

*** possible spoiler alert ***

Movies with exceptional impact, on it's audience... Read more

Published 5 months ago by JW

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving, creative, visually stunning, metaphysical look at love and life
Leave it to me to love this often trashed film even more than Aronofsky's strong
'Requiem for a Dream' . Read more

Published 8 months ago by K. Gordon

5.0 out of 5 stars Permanence vs. impermanence
"Therefore, the Lord god banished Adam and Eve and placed a flaming sword to protect The Tree of Life. Read more

Published on May 18 2008 by bernie

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge this by the first viewing
I have to be honest the first time I watched this movie I wasn't such a big fan. I enjoyed it but I wouldn't think anything special of it at first. Read more

Published on Feb 3 2008 by Grae

2.0 out of 5 stars 90 minutes that feel like 3 hours
Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind when watching it but I thought "The Fountain" to be a tedious exercise in boredom. Read more

Published on Oct 27 2007 by Matthew King

3.0 out of 5 stars Tree Movie
(Based on "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer)

I thought that I would never see
A movie centered `round a tree

A tree whose milky sap can bring
An... Read more

Published on Jun 23 2007 by Amanda Richards

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable movie for those interested in religion and mythology
I thought this movie was very good. There is a degree of abstract to the film that can make it hard to follow. Read more

Published on Jun 9 2007 by J

3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite
I enjoyed this film, but it seemed to be reaching for something it couldn't quite grasp. It reminded me a bit of what I view as pretender films ... Read more

Published on Jun 2 2007 by C. Edwards

1.0 out of 5 stars Read the review before buying or renting this one...
Don't just go by the trailer with this one, read the reviews. I thought this would be something completely different after watching the trailer, but darn was I ever wrong. Read more

Published on May 20 2007 by D. Landry

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