Trippy Kubrickian fable of timeless love; Aronofsky's labor of love is palpable

Rating: 8/10 (27 November 2006)

THE FOUNTAIN (2006) *** Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn, Mark Margolis, Stephen McHattie, Fernando Hernandez, Cliff Curtis, Sean Patrick Thomas, Donna Murphy, Ethan Suplee. Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky's labor of love finally comes to fruition in this trippy Kubrickian fable of timeless love between eternal lovers Jackman and Weisz (each portraying three versions of one character) linked in the theme of discovering a cure for death and the pursuit of the mythical Fountain of Youth/Tree of Life. Told with unrequited brio and consummate technical skill - kudos to long-time collaborative cinematographer Matthew Libatique's wonderful photography, Jay Rabinowitz's sharp editing , exquisite production design by James Chinlund and the ethereally haunting score by Clint Mansell - the loginess does mire in bits but it is the everlasting triumph of the human spirit that underscores the theme of desire, faith and again, love that really shines in this blend of romance, sci-fi, fantasy and drama.