REVIEW: The Fountain

Long awaited or long winded. Beautiful sci-fi epic concerning true love, soulmates and transcendence. Or... kaballah referencing nonsensical vanity project of a filmmaker sent mad. Well, to be honest, its a little from both. But what so many have criticised within the film is exactly what makes it such a startling experience to watch. Its a film you have to give yourself to, buy into its philosophy and the storytelling. This is no linear, easy love story like you may see churned out by Hollywood every month or so. This is complex, intelligent cinema to allow into your soul, to let burn into your mind.

The basic story, if there is one, is that two souls' existence cross the Tree of Life and we follow them across a 1000 year love affair, witnessing them as Conquistadors in 16 century Spain, present day couple and future self living in space inside a giant bubble. It all sound crazy but Aronofsky's skill at linking the parts is of fair stature. Having said that, it cannot be denied the utter crushing brilliance of the present day story, following a doctor (Hugh Jackman) and his dying author wife (Rachel Weisz) as he tries to find a cure for the cancer killing her in front of him. Thematically, by blending this with the fantastical exploits of his time-hopping, it aligns itself with films like Pan's Labyrinth, drawing out the inherent sadness in all of life's inevitabilities. Jackman is immense in these scenes, portraying a man obsessed with his one true love and saving her life with grace and intensity betraying his roots as Wolverine.

The critics are wrong folks. Sure, it could have been just astounding had the original budget remained, but with that lesser budget and certain naivety reveals itself, the visuals of the future recalling the flights of fancy from Melies in their innocent beauty. The two leads are incredible, both deserving of Oscar nominations they never got due to the ridiculous mauling of this movie in the U.S. It was unjust. This is brave, beautiful filmmaking that is far from perfect but a truly immersive experience of sadness, loss and love.

Film: The Fountain
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Plattenspieler Rating: 8.7/10