What film-making should be striving for...

Rating: 10/10 (24 November 2006)

The Fountain has been a movie many, including myself, have been greatly anticipating and hyping for the past 3 years. Both of Darren Aronofsky's previous films have been indicative of real talent. With Pi showing a nack for thought provoking subject matter, and depending on the viewer, a profound or pretentious nature... I found it profound. Requiem for a Dream proved he could pull of a very compositionally, and stylistically sound film, and also really get our guts churning. The story was fairly simplistic(which isn't exactly a fault in itself), but the characters, cinematography, and acting really made up for this in spades. Therein lies the buildup for his newest film. Being a proved talent with two great features under his belt, he announced his biggest project yet, "The Fountain." My personal reaction to first reading the synopsis three years ago on IMDb were both of excitement and of reservation, was he being too ambitious? Finally, after 3 years in the making, and much trouble production side, the movie is finished... does it succeed? My answer is a resounding... YES! I am of the personal opinion that 2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the greatest films ever made. Its heavy reliance on visual storytelling, and sheer ability to spark the imagination captured me through repeated viewings. In much the same way, The Fountain has captured me. I have only seen it once, so this review may reflect a very sudden, and rash view on it, but a day after the fact my mind is still mulling over the movie's subtleties.
When first starting out, the movie didn't exactly woo me right away... The Conquistador portions leading into a space exploration portion. The Zen Buddhist imagery was interesting, but came off kind of cheesy at first. I kept watching... I allowed it to unfurl before my eyes, and was left with a most satisfying conclusion. Yes, this movie requires one to think, yes this movie isn't straightforward... But it isn't pretentious. I have read in other places that this movie requires one to look into themselves to make sense of it all, and I agree. I connected fully. Now, I will take into account that not everyone will, and while saddened at the idea, I accept this. So, much in the vein of 2001: A Space Odyssey, this movie comes along and captures the imagination, and the mind, and unlike 2001, it also captures the heart. Both Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman put in wonderful, and emotionally charged performances. Also arguably unlike 2001's "trip-out" scene, I felt that The Fountain had more easily understandable visual imagery, and those who are detracting it for being nonsense, are really missing the point. I urge everyone to see it, but they should know before going in that it may not be for them.
Also, even afterward the Zen Buddhist imagery was kind of cheesy, but it served a purpose which made much more sense later on.