A Beautiful Train Wreck

Rating: 9/10 (7 December 2006)

I am of two minds about Darren Aronofsky's "The Fountain". On one hand it was creatively conceived, well acted, and beautifully photographed. On the other it is a dark and convoluted existential mish-mash of huge ideas that are perhaps not as well explored as they could have been. It's a movie that, while spectacular, is not always what I would call entertaining.
I consider "Requiem for a Dream" to be one of the greatest films of our time, so I was absolutely salivating over Aronofsky's long awaited follow-up. Given my astronomical expectations, it's only natural that "The Fountain" would be at least a little bit disappointing. But I also have to respect the fact that Aronofsky aimed very high with this project. If anything, perhaps a little too high. To paraphrase a review I read: I'd rather see a director, or any artist for that matter, aspire to greatness and fail, than have success playing it safe. Not to say that "The Fountain" is a failure exactly, but its far from the great film that it wants to be.
This is not the easiest movie to sit and watch. It is confusing at times, and at times it is so quiet and deliberately paced that the only sound you'll hear is the crunching of popcorn and perhaps a few yawns. That said, I still believe that this is a movie that should be seen. Its originality and scope are exceptional, and, while it may not knock your socks off, it will make you think. There has never been a movie quite like this, and there probably never will be again. If for no other reason than this, "The Fountain" should be experienced.