The Fountain

Title: The Fountain
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn
Year: 2006
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of action violence, some sensuality and language.
Date of Review: November 22, 2006

Contemplating death and the pursuit of eternal life are functions of practically every religion and society throughout the course of history. The Fountain doesn’t attempt to answer the questions raised by these issues, but simply provide a concept for people to ponder - what really constitutes “life” and “death”?

In Aronofosky’s film, Hugh Jackman plays Tommy Creo, a doctor looking for the cure to his wife’s brain tumor (the wife, Izzi, being played by Rachel Weisz). The story unfolds in three different time periods, with the main storyline taking place in present day. Simultaneously Aronofsky tells the story of a Spanish conquistador who is ordered by the Queen to travel to middle-America and search for the “Tree of Life”, which grants immortality to any who drink its sap. The audience is also shown a story of a nameless (and hairless) man traveling through space in a bubble sometime around the year 2500, accompanied only by a tree, as he tries to reach a mysterious nebula.

Looked at as a narrative alone, it is a confusing and nearly indecipherable story. However, where the real content lies is in the symbolism and the ideas behind what is being shown. Aronofsky asks that the audience piece the film together for themselves and try to find what it means to them, rather than him shoving something down their throat that they may or may not like. Some might come away from the film thinking it is simply a story of undying love and a man’s pursuit to save his wife. Others might see the beginnings of answers to the questions of life and death.

Hugh Jackman’s performance is - at the risk of sounding hyperbolic - awe-inspiring. He displays what could very well be the entire range of human emotions throughout the course of the film, and the audience is brought through every bit with him. Many scenes focus directly on his face, and it is incredible to see how quickly and subtly his face can change.

The Fountain is rooted deeply in Buddhist philosophy - the idea of death and rebirth, and of some form of life continuing on forever. It is a mood piece, and it definitely does have a very depressing side, but at the same time it is as if the Aronofsky is trying to tell the audience that, since death is inevitable for everyone, it must be embraced instead of feared and rejected. Death needs to be seen as a part of life that is just as important as birth.

Preliminary reviews - including the unanimous “boo-ing” at Cannes earlier this year - have made the film out to be a pretentious, love-it or hate-it mess of a film. There is no doubt that it must be approached with an open mind, and a willingness to forget what was shown in trailers - if there was ever a deceiving marketing campaign, it was for this film. Through watching the film it is evident that Aronofsky holds films like Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey in high esteem, as it takes the same approach of providing an experience rather than a narrative. It really is a misunderstood masterpiece, and surely in 50 years time it will be recognized as one of the truly masterful creations to come from the science fiction genre.

9.5/10