The Fountain
- In theaters November 22nd, 2006
- Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violent
action, some sensuality and language
- Runtime: 96 min
- 3.5 out of 5
COMPLETE REVIEW BELOW
Review by Anne Jackson
Do you want to know what it's like being on a mind-altering
substance, but you're wise enough not to actually eat the
"special brownies?" Welcome to the movie known as The
Fountain. A beautifully made film that will make you wonder if
the mushrooms on your pizza weren't a little bit magic.
There are three storylines in The Fountain. Actually, nix that.
There are three stories in The Fountain. Any sort of formula
including character development, plots, subplots, climax and
resolution don't exist.
Hugh Jackman plays a surgeon trying to rid the world of cancer
and death. And he also plays an ancient conquistador. Oh, and
he also plays a futuristic, bald, yoga-esque man who lives in a
bubble with a the tree of life, floating toward a golden nebula,
light years away.
Rachel Weisz plays Hugh Jackman's author wife (the surgeon
Hugh Jackman) Izzy. Izzy has terminal brain cancer, and we
are taken into the fight for her life. Throughout her illness,
she has written a book called "The Fountain." The book is
about a conquistador (Jackman) sent on a mission by his
queen (also played by Weisz) to find the Tree of Life, hidden
by God after the fall of Adam and Eve. Once he finds the
Tree, the queen and conquistador will live forever.
In between Jackman slicing open monkeys, trying to find a
cure for Izzy; Jackman fighting Mayan priests to find his
Queen eternal life, we can't forget Jackman floating in his
space bubble. The Mayans believed a certain star formation
(Xibalb·) is where eternal life is found. Gracefully and
mystically, he transcends in a beautiful array of stars and
whispers and music.
Are you totally lost yet? Don't worry. I was too. And to be
honest, I'm not quite sure if I understand this film.
Regardless of that, it was so beautifully made, wonderfully
acted and captivating, I didn't mind the fact I wasn't able to
completely understand. Maybe that's the point. The struggle
between death and life and mystery of an afterlife doesn't
have solid answers. But the journey from birth to death and
beyond is a beautiful one.
Some people won't like this film. If you're looking for a good
story and cathartic resolution, skip this movie. But if you want
a divine work of art that will leave you feeling strangely
complete despite the fact there are no answers, The Fountain is
definetely worth your time. I give The Fountain a 3.5 out of 5.
============================
Anne is a writer, artist & coffee addict who lives with
her husband and two emotionally unstable cats in the
Dallas
area. She works at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall
and in
her
free time enjoys badly impersonating foreign accents,
photography, and eating anything chocolate. You
can reach
Anne on her blog at
Flowerdust.net.