The Fountain

The first point that must be made about Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain is that it is not for everyone. Like Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, it is a film that makes for a great roundtable discussion and will continue to baffle audiences for generations to come. The director’s original pitch must have seemed impossibly grand: An epic love story set against three different time periods, each involving a man (all of whom are played by Hugh Jackman) obsessively in search of a cure for death. In 16th century Guatemala, conquistador Tomás leads a doomed expedition in the hopes of discovering the Fountain of Youth. In 21st century New York, scientist Tommy races to find a remedy for his wife Izzy’s fatal condition and in doing so stumbles upon a phenomenon of reverse aging. And lastly, in 26th century outer space, astronaut Tom pilots his spherical vessel toward a dying star for reasons that remain unknown throughout most of the picture. Despite the complicated narrative and stunning visual scheme, The Fountain remains much smaller and more intimate than one would imagine. Aronofsky’s focus is on the love between two people, filming both his stars in constantly tight close-ups. Jackman, who recently gave a career topping performance in The Prestige, transcends to a whole new level of acting, giving us one of the most moving performances of the year. Rachel Weisz is also excellent in the dual role of Izzy and Queen Isabel, who sends Tomás on his journey. Are all three of Jackman’s characters one and the same? Is Tomás really a fictional character conjured up by Izzy in the novel she is writing? Is Tom the future version of Tommy, having seemingly conquered death? The film raises a million questions and refuses to answer any of them directly. Such an approach leaves the truth to the interpretation of each individual viewer. For some, it might not resonate. For others, it might have a profound and powerful effect.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
Written by Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel.
Starring Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn, Cliff Curtis, Ethan Suplee, Donna Murphy, Sean Patrick Thomas and Mark Margolis.

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violent action, some sensuality and language. 96 min.

***** so says The Fish