The Fountain (B- or 3/4 stars)
'The Fountain', a sci-fi/fantasy created by Darren Aronofsky, follows one man's thousand-year long struggle to save the woman he loves and find a cure for ... death. It is told, interwovenly, in 3 distinct storylines: In modern day, Dr. Tommy Creo (Hugh Jackman) is desperate to find a cure for the brain cancer that's killing his wife, Izzi (Rachel Weisz). She's been writing a book titled 'The Fountain' in which a 16th century conquistador, Tomas (Jackman), searches for the Mayan 'Tree of Life' (believed to give eternal life to those who sip its sap) with hopes that it can save Spain's Queen Isabel (Weisz) from the Church that threatens her life. And in 2500 ad, a man (Jackman) travels with said 'Tree of Life' to a dying star with the hope of reuniting with a long-lost spirit (Weisz).
A man deals with his fear of mortality; and how fragile life can be. He knows that everyone must eventually expire. But what IF you could live forever? This is the mystery that Tommy is trying to unfold. 'The Fountain' is definitely not for everyone; and while the film is far from perfect ... I am still marveling at its conceptual genius, the sensitivity with which it is acted (by Jackman & Weisz), & the unsettling emotions that still swarm over me.
16th century segment: This segment shows a unique depiction of the Mayan empire as well as various scenes in Spain (including a startling inquisition of various 'supposed' heretics). The colors are deep, lush, & dreamlike. Queen Isabel casts a wordy spell on Tomas declaring that upon his return with the Tree of Life, '... she will be his Eve, and he her Adam'. It's just beautiful. What man could resist that? And a scene where Tomas confronts a Mayan temple master gets your adrenalin flowing. This is the most underdeveloped segment in the movie, but it has its moments.
Current day segment: This is the film's center, & it's depicted quite coldly (lots of gray & blues). Tommy's tired attempts to find a cure while his lovely wife fades is haunting. Two scenes jump out: Tommy & Izzi sit on their roof and star gaze (a rare tender moment on display). And in an equally moving (yet, scary) scene, Tommy realizes her condition is worsening as she begins to lose her senses (feeling hots & colds). Her momentary fear & his teary-eyed exhaustion wears you out.
Third segment, futuristic man in his bubble: This segment is most difficult to grasp. Is it a dream, reality, or something concocted by Izzi/Tommy for her unfinished book, 'The Fountain'? I see it as fact & fiction blended into one. The man is hairless, drifting through outer space, whispering sweet nothings to his Tree of Life. These scenes parallel/repeat other scenes between Tommy & Izzi. The climax resides in this segment; & it conceptually mirrors an earlier emotionally charged scene between our protagonists. Aronofsky creates pure art here. The use of color, texture, nuance, & imagination is scintillating. But it is also difficult to watch because of the mystery surrounding its purpose, intent, & potential realism. We fear the unknown; and Aronofsky does quite a job instilling that fear.
Hugh Jackman is able to show his acting chops here. You can feel his undying love for Izzi and sense his utter desperation to cure her & sustain life for all eternity. Rachel Weisz is captivating as both Isabel & Izzi. You're always wondering what's behind those doe-like eyes; what her next thought is. She's beautiful here. It is impossible to form an immediate opinion of this film. How could you? Like most poems you read (like them or not), the effect of the words comes later. And in 'The Fountain', it takes some time for the movie & its' layers to engulf you. That's not to say this film is for everyone; it's not. At times, it is slow-paced; and it could have been fleshed out a bit more. And it can be difficult to enjoy because you have to be in the mood to watch an 'out there', melancholy film of this existential nature. Nevertheless, its' beauty & uniqueness alone is to be appreciated.
A man deals with his fear of mortality; and how fragile life can be. He knows that everyone must eventually expire. But what IF you could live forever? This is the mystery that Tommy is trying to unfold. 'The Fountain' is definitely not for everyone; and while the film is far from perfect ... I am still marveling at its conceptual genius, the sensitivity with which it is acted (by Jackman & Weisz), & the unsettling emotions that still swarm over me.
16th century segment: This segment shows a unique depiction of the Mayan empire as well as various scenes in Spain (including a startling inquisition of various 'supposed' heretics). The colors are deep, lush, & dreamlike. Queen Isabel casts a wordy spell on Tomas declaring that upon his return with the Tree of Life, '... she will be his Eve, and he her Adam'. It's just beautiful. What man could resist that? And a scene where Tomas confronts a Mayan temple master gets your adrenalin flowing. This is the most underdeveloped segment in the movie, but it has its moments.
Current day segment: This is the film's center, & it's depicted quite coldly (lots of gray & blues). Tommy's tired attempts to find a cure while his lovely wife fades is haunting. Two scenes jump out: Tommy & Izzi sit on their roof and star gaze (a rare tender moment on display). And in an equally moving (yet, scary) scene, Tommy realizes her condition is worsening as she begins to lose her senses (feeling hots & colds). Her momentary fear & his teary-eyed exhaustion wears you out.
Third segment, futuristic man in his bubble: This segment is most difficult to grasp. Is it a dream, reality, or something concocted by Izzi/Tommy for her unfinished book, 'The Fountain'? I see it as fact & fiction blended into one. The man is hairless, drifting through outer space, whispering sweet nothings to his Tree of Life. These scenes parallel/repeat other scenes between Tommy & Izzi. The climax resides in this segment; & it conceptually mirrors an earlier emotionally charged scene between our protagonists. Aronofsky creates pure art here. The use of color, texture, nuance, & imagination is scintillating. But it is also difficult to watch because of the mystery surrounding its purpose, intent, & potential realism. We fear the unknown; and Aronofsky does quite a job instilling that fear.
Hugh Jackman is able to show his acting chops here. You can feel his undying love for Izzi and sense his utter desperation to cure her & sustain life for all eternity. Rachel Weisz is captivating as both Isabel & Izzi. You're always wondering what's behind those doe-like eyes; what her next thought is. She's beautiful here. It is impossible to form an immediate opinion of this film. How could you? Like most poems you read (like them or not), the effect of the words comes later. And in 'The Fountain', it takes some time for the movie & its' layers to engulf you. That's not to say this film is for everyone; it's not. At times, it is slow-paced; and it could have been fleshed out a bit more. And it can be difficult to enjoy because you have to be in the mood to watch an 'out there', melancholy film of this existential nature. Nevertheless, its' beauty & uniqueness alone is to be appreciated.