 Millenial masterpiece. Aronofsky is Kubrick for a new generation. |
| Review Date: November 24, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Dave Cordes, Denver, CO |
I was utterly moved to tears by this film. The Fountain is a breathtaking sentimental masterpiece in the vein of 2001: A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray] as it boldly seeks to answer the great mysteries of life, love, death and re-birth transgressing the metaphysical boundaries of the universe. It's epic non-linear narrative spans the centuries with Hugh Jackman delivering an absolutely unforgettable performance as Tomas, a Spanish Conquistador in the 16th century who pledges his loyalty to Queen Isabella (Rachel Weisz) to find the mythical Tree of Life so that Spain will hold the key to the Fourth Paradise, Immortality, denounced as heresy by the Grand Inquisitor. Tomas' quest is interleaved between three converging narratives across time and space. As a modern-day neurosurgeon, Tomas struggles to find a cure for a tumorous disease that threatens the mortality of his beloved wife Izzi who is writing a fable called "The Fountain" chronicling the odyssey of their 16th century quest which can be interpreted as either a fictitious or biographical account of Tomas and Izzi's lives who have endured the centuries together or simply as mythical characterizations of Izzi's unfinished allegorical manuscript symbolizing her husband's obsessive quest to find a cure for her terminal ailment that she has left for him to finish (the past representing Izzi's tale and the future representing Tomas' as he struggles to "finish it") both of which could be argued with equal measure. One of the beauties of The Fountain is its open-ended narrative construct left to speculation and interpretation and can be viewed from entirely different perspectives with each consecutive viewing. Tomas' quest ultimately takes him to the distant 26th century where he has projected himself and the dying Tree of Life across the great void of space in a transcendental bubble to reach Xibalba, the name of the Mayan underworld given to a dying nebula that brings the creation of new life from the wake of its destruction like the yin and yang of the cosmos beyond the confines of this mortal coil. "Our bodies are prisons for our souls. All flesh decays... death turns all to ash. And thus, death frees every soul... "
Darren Aronofsky's poetic film blossoms with rich cultural, biblical, mythical and spiritual imagery that speak the common language spoken by all religions and cultures that have asked the boldest philosophical questions about our place in the universe since time immemorial. For anyone who has ever looked to the heavens and stared in the face of mortality and beyond, The Fountain holds all of the answers to life like a profound epiphany radiating from the heavens. Drink from The Fountain and achieve the knowledge of truth and spiritual enlightenment on the road to Awe. One of the truly great cinematic masterpieces of this century and last, The Fountain will transcend the test of time and eternity. |
Breathtaking . . . But There is a Caveat . . .
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| Review Date: January 4, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Erica J. Dymond, Bethlehem, PA USA |
This film is a artistic masterpiece. Its graceful beauty is does not permit debate. It will be an exquisite experience for any lover of art. The sheer visual originality will transfix the viewer. It is without pretense . . . its message is universal.
Here is the caveat: you need not be "educated" in film to understand this work . . . you need not be a Ph.D. holder to enjoy its majesty . . . you need not have any background in Early Colonialism to follow Aronofsky's thoughts . . . but you do need to be patient. You need to prepare yourself for a visual experience that rivals Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. You need to surrender yourself to Aronofsky's vision. His non-linear approach may initially confuse the viewer . . . his metaphors may initially frustrate . . . . his repetition may initially annoy . . . but try to understand these aspects as essential to the film's glory. Trust Aronofsky to guide you through the film . . . the more you resist his approach, the less you will be inclined to enjoy it.
Some label this film a "tear-jerker" . . . this is a terrible misnomer. Aronofsky's work did not steal one tear from my companion or me. This is not as much a work about two people, but is allegorical. So, if you are concerned that this film is a "romance," you can dismiss those fears entirely.
This film is similar to neither Requiem nor Pi . . . that is Aronofsky's genius. He is gifted with uncommon range. Moreover, this is not the Hugh Jackman with which many are acquainted . . . his acting is sensitive to detail and strikingly stark. Rachel Weisz enthusiasts may be equally surprised . . . but hopefully in positive manner.
Here is the bottom line: this is neither X-Men nor The Mummy, it is neither Pi nor Requiem . . . this film is as innovative as it is spectacular. Nonetheless, if you need a linear plot, if you must have explanations, if you have limited patience, you will find yourself frustrated. But, if you find yourself bored with contemporary film, tired of its predictability, exhausted with its pedestrian qualities . . . if you simply yearn to view a challenging work of art, allow The Fountain to work its uncanny "magic" on you. |
An epic movie
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| Review Date: April 17, 2007 |
| Reviewer: SKOLVK, TUCSON |
| I first heard about "The Fountain" a few years back at San Diego Comic Con. Aronofsky seemed really hyped about it and showed us a few clips. After seeing them I was amazed but confused, and thats how I felt when I viewed the entire film years later, but after thinking about the film and discussing it with some friends I figured it out and I was blown away by its beautiful complexity. "The Fountain" follows three story lines. The first is about a scientist whose wife is dieing of brain steam cancer. He spends all of his time devoted to finding a cure but to no avail. The second follows his wife when she takes up a hobbie and writes a book about a conquistador who is sent on a quest to find the fountian of youth for his queen. Her book is played out in live action as she's writing it and provides a really cool tie in to the film. The third story is the strangest. It basiclly watches the scientist as he floats up through space in a big bubble(Stay with me here)while he meditates by a big tree. These three parts intertwine to make one of the most inovative and visually stunning films I've ever seen. It's hard to explain how beautiful the film is and it's honestly one of those "You have to see it to believe it" cases. Alot of people who say they didn't like "The Fountian" say it's because they didn't understand it. Just because YOU didn't understand dosen't make it bad. "The Fountain" needs consentration and dedication but it's a film that will definitely reward you for them. enjoy. |
For artists and cinephiles out there who appreciate a beautiful and well-thought concept.
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| Review Date: March 8, 2007 |
| Reviewer: DeadBunnyDip, The Land of the Over Yonder |
Around mid-2005, I spotted the cover of a graphic novel through the shop windows in a local bookstore. As an artist, I can't help but judge a book by its cover. The illustration was of a man with his back towards the reader, he had a tattoo of a dying tree on his back, and he was holding a woman in a sensual and loving embrace. And on her face was a look of calm. I felt myself drawn to this book so I walked in and picked it up to get a closer look. To my glee, I found out that it was a creative project from the minds of one of my favorite directors Darren Aronofsky, whose films lay alongside my selection of original DVDs (and I stress the word ORIGINAL) which I watch time and again. At the back of the cover, I read that apart from this novel the movie was also in the works. So, I paid a huge chunk of what I had in my wallet for the book, and went home dying to tear the book free of its plastic wrap.
After three hours, perhaps more, of reading and taking in the beautiful artwork by Kent Williams. I was already ecstatic about the film, but had a sinking feeling in my heart that told me it probably wouldn't be shown here in the Philippines because of the depth and scope of its concept (which I am sure only a small percentage of the Filipino population would appreciate). Late last year, I chanced upon another book about THE FOUNTAIN in the same shop I purchased the first book. This time, it featured still shots and artwork from the movie itself. So, for nearly two years, I waited for a trailer to pop up on the internet just so I could catch a glimpse of the movie until I could order the limited edition DVD (which I hope comes out soon). When that day came, I felt a mixture of excitement and frustration - excited because I was dying to see what visuals Aronofsky was going to pull out of his hat, and frustrated because I was SO sure that the movie wouldn't be coming to theatres near me. I was so revved up about it that I decided to do some promotional vendetta myself, to the extent of giving the graphic novels away for Christmas presents, and e-mailing my friends and loved ones abroad to go see the movie when it comes out.
And then one fateful day, I see the plug on HBO. Suddenly, I felt that there was hope of seeing the movie in the local cinema. If this movie was able to gain this much coverage prior to its release there was a huge chance that the local industry would be interested in picking it up for distribution. I WAS RIGHT! And what a perfect time to release it on Valentine's Day! I almost crapped my pants when a friend of mine told me that it was coming out in local theatres. Even though no one else I knew was as enthusiastic as I was to go see it, I went ahead and continued my promotional vendetta. Finally, after the books, the articles, the trailers and the waiting, I would finally be able to sit back and watch this spectacle on the big screen.
I must say, THE FOUNTAIN is a perfect example of surviving the test of time. Six years in the making, acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky brought this beautiful sci-fi epic love story to page and, finally, to the silver screen. Having captured the admiration of critics and cinephiles around the world with his award-winning debut feature PI and top-listing movie REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, Aronofsky unveils another stunningly visual film featuring the talents of actor Hugh Jackman and actress Rachel Weisz. I think the casting was appropriate as the movie was the perfect chance for them to showcase a deeper and darker side of them that audiences all over hadn't seen.
It is a timeless tale of a man's journey to conquer death and save the life of the woman he loves. THE FOUNTAIN intercuts among three different time periods and follows the struggles of one multiplicitous character. There is Thomas, a 16th century conquistador battling a fierce Mayan army in the heart of Central America seeking the mythic Tree of Life for his love, Queen Isabel. There is Tommy, a modern-day neuroscientists frantically in search of a cure for his dying wife, Izzy. And then there is Tom, a far future space traveler haunted by his past, hoping to uncover the secrets of a dying star that gives birth to new life. All three storylines converge into one painful reality - that he must come to accept the inevitability of death. Deep, timeless, and creatively executed, THE FOUNTAIN is a gripping story about love that transcends death, time and space.
Aronofsky once again adds his magical touch to the artistic aspect of this film. The use of monochromatic themes throughout the movie adds more gravity to the few scenes in the movie that do have color, such as the one where Weisz dawns a red strapless dress and the one where the a plethora of green engulfs the tree of life. By method of experimentation and masterful execution, Aronofsky lavishes this spectacle with wonderful transitions, well-composed shots and notable juxtaposition that would send chills down a film buff's spine.
And being the self-proclaimed cinephile that I am, I was the first person to get in the movie theatre and the last person to get out. Although only half of theatre was filled, it was interesting to see and hear the reactions of the people around me. Some, unfortunately, had found it hard to catch up. Some left the theatre a little confused. But most importantly, some left speechless and in awe. I loved it. I myself, was teary-eyed and at a loss for words. I most certainly recommend the movie to all you artists and cinephiles out there who appreciate a beautiful and well-thought concept. Definitely another addition to my selection of favorite films that I am bound to watch over and over and over... |
A masterpiece
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| Review Date: April 30, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Evermind, Singapore |
One of the few masterpieces of film in recent years. It is many years ahead of its time, and certainly not for everyone. If you have already experienced the sentiments expressed by this film, you'll find them echoed in it beautifully, but if you've never wondered about the kinds of issues the film handles, you'll find yourself bored to tears or groaning at its earnestness. It is too strange, too abstract for the everyman, but that's fine, because it reaches right to the core of its intended audience.
Without any doubt Aronofsky's most mature and well-crafted effort - he has grown leaps and bounds since "Requiem for a Dream" and this is definitely his most intensely personal film to date. He has managed to reach inside himself, draw out and present - for the first time, I feel - some very ineffable and sublime emotional aspects that are a part of every human being. Compared to his two previous films - which felt more like "hey, that's a cool/interesting idea, let me explore it..." - he has truly managed to do the job of an artist, which is to move people in ways they won't easily forget and ultimately have a lasting impact on them.
Art film as art film was meant to be. And did, in the time of the old masters (Bergman, Tarkovsky, Kurosawa, etc): not pretentious, not laden with "emotional pornography" or excessive sex/intellectualism but the most brutally honest expression of people who have studied human psychology/spirituality for years and synthesised it into a narrative. |
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