|
The Fountain
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Hugh Jackman
Genre:
Science Fiction
Run Time: 96 min.
Release Date:
November
2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Okay all of you sci-fi geeks out there. It’s time to drag
your spouse, girlfriend, or significant other out again. They’ll hem and
haw about going to see “yet another” science fiction film with you, but
this time redemption is at your feet.
THE FOUNTAIN is, for all intents and purposes, a love story built around
an SF theme: immortality and the future. But there aren’t any magical
conjurers or any time machines. The story is all too human, spanning
eons as we witness the immortality of ...love. It may sound a bit offish
to some SF fans, but don’t let it be. There are still amazing scenes
shot using bizarre methods (micro-photography of petri dishes?) instead
of the usual CGI, a remarkable coherency between the vast time scales,
and some damn fine acting.
Hugh Jackman (X-Men) stars as Tomas, a man in love with his queen
(during the Spanish Inquisition), his terminally ill wife (present day),
and the symbol of his wife’s immortality (in the distant future). Tomas’
queen/wife/symbol is none other than the amazing Rachel Weisz (THE
CONSTANT GARDNER) known throughout the film as Izzi. Tomas, in the
earliest time of the Spanish Inquisition, is trying to save his beloved
queen by finding the tree of life (something hinted at in many
religions, including Christianity where Adam and Eve eat from the tree
of knowledge causing God to yank away the tree of life and hide it).
We then jump to present day and find Doctor Tomas desperately searching
for a cancer cure in order to save his wife, Izzi. Again, the tree of
life plays a part as he and his research team uncover a strange piece of
bark from a long forgotten tree. It’s healing properties are astounding,
but will the cure come in time to save Izzi?
The most distant time is that of Tomas on an existential journey through
space with a tree as his only companion. Again, the tree of life, but
this time the tree is appropriately a symbol of his wife.
Weaving the conquistador past, with present day medicine, and an
uncertain future, director Darren Aronofsky has really given us a piece
of poetry as art. This isn’t too surprising coming from Aronofsky, the
same director of such mind-benders as PI and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. Don’t
expect a formulaic plot or for things to be spelled out. You know better
than that if you’ve seen any of this director’s work. But that’s part of
the big draw. You move along with the story rather than being forcibly
dragged through it. It flows on its own ethereal plain, never stopping,
never letting the viewers’ eyes rest. Each scene is shot to near
perfection, using dark sets, lighted doorways, and golden globes to
exquisite advantage.
But it’s the love story between Izzi and Tomas that holds the entire
movie together. Their dedication to one another is palpable, and when
Izzi sits near death’s doorstep, you can feel Tomas’ overwhelming need
to save her, his beloved for all time.
So it’s time to haul your spouse/girlfriend/significant other kicking
and screaming into the theater again. And they’ll love you for it later.
Perhaps you might even “get lucky” after the film...
(back to top) |
Image from The Fountain
DVD cost: $25.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? Yes.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Of the 70 extras cast as
Mayan Warriors, 20 were actually real Mayans flown in from Guatemala.
Actor Fernando Hernandez ,who played the Lord of Xibalba, was the only
one who could speak English. Before shooting at the Mayan pyramid, the
Mayan actors blessed the set.
Movie Quote: "A
special tree grows hidden. The tree of life."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Fountain
   |
