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The fountain

Written by Nobuhiro Hosoki

 

The original project was abandoned in 2002, when Brad Pitt dropped out of the film two weeks before its shooting. It has been expanded and cut back in the last couple of years, and this sci-fi saga was eventually chopped down into a version that was less pseudo-intellectual, with a rather compromising modest budget, with Daren Aronofsky's visual repetitons deployed from "Requiem for a Dream."

"The Fountain" is crafted from a biblical puzzle with three interlocking tales that literally spans the generations, with the narrative going back and forth between them.  This highly ambitious epic is about the fountain of youth, the tree of life, the quest for eternal life. In the first story, set in the modern day, Tommy (Hugh Jackman), a brilliant experimental scientist is seeking a cure for a malignant tumor that has afflicted his wife, Izzy (Rachel Weisz). Unfortunately, he devotes all his time and energy to it, rarely spending any quality time with her.

It is Izzy herself who unlocked the secret in a book that she's been working on. Set in the 16th century, it involves a bearded, maverick Spanish explorer (also Hugh Jackman), dispatched by Queen Elizabeth (also Rachel Weisz) who attempts to break into a pyramid in the Mayan jungle to reveal the concealed Garden of Eden's "Tree of LIfe." Though initially outnumbered and defeated by the Mayans, he perseveres in his mission, eventually tackling a Mayan warrior priest who believes that death is just a passage.

Then fast-forward to the 26th century, where Tom Creo (Hugh Jackman, again) is floating around in space in the lotus position in the Xibalba Nebula. He's convinced himself that Izzy is part of the tree and he'll be reunited with her. Jackman portrays emotional and spiritual pain in his performance, while Weisz personifies a somewhat abstract angelic being. Some of the film's contents, such as its lyrical style and spiritual implications, are totally the opposite of the typical Hollywood product and it is sure to be shunned by mainstream audiences.  Although Darren approaches his role with strikingly visual and sincerely poignant moments, the film's sparse theme is hard to grasp. In the end, "The Fountain" is drained.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Written by Mr. Aronofsky
Based on a story by Mr. Aronofsky and Ari Handel
Director of photography: Matthew Libatique
Edited by Jay Rabinowitz
Music by Clint Mansell
Production designer: James Chinlund
Produced by Eric Watson, Arnon Milchan and Iain Smith
Released by Warner Brothers Pictures.
Running time: 96 minutes.

Cast: Hugh Jackman (Tomas/Tommy/Tom Creo)
Rachel Weisz (Isabel/Izzi Creo),
and Ellen Burstyn (Dr. Lillian Guzetti).