intriguing, rewarding, & profound!

Rating: 10/10 (25 November 2006)

The Fountain is a wonderful inspiration, and not so perplexing once the segments become clear to the viewer. Despite the initial impression that we are jumping between different time periods (as per the book), it makes more sense to accept that the action actually ALL takes place in the Present. All of the years of 'incarnations' tattooed on Doctor Tom's arms are best depicted as his long spiritual journey to peace with himself and with death.
Doctor Tom, a researcher, is in a frantic pursuit to find a cure for brain tumors before his wife dies from hers. His inspirations, ideas and dreams are made into tangible, fully dimensional creations for us. His scientific work is occurring in the Present, as is his coming to terms with the outcome. The inspiration and ideas appear to be in the Future, yet they are as our own spiritual dimensions might be visually displayed if they were to be unveiled at varying moments in our day-to-day lives. His spirit is maturing through the trials that are his Life.
What at first appears to be the Past, or even a "previous incarnation" are, as we come to see, the book his wife is writing, about the hope and eventual triumph they both will come to have experienced. Yet while we think the movie is about her, it is really her writing about him. It is his fight for her Life, torment, Grief (amazing visual portrayals here, without words) and ultimate Salvation. Even the music is a subtle metronome of time: heartbeats, time ticking
AND he is experiencing regret and guilt regarding how he had not spent his Time in the Present with his wife. As many cancer patients are trained today, visual imagery can be a powerful tool in helping to battle and HOPEfully overcome a diseaseShe writes a book. She has come to Peace in her Journey; only her 'Conquistador' can write the ending on this one. This book represents the Past for Dr. Tom; this is where he has come from spiritually on his journey.
Allusions and symbols abound: the Inquisition, conquistadors, the Tree of Life (also symbolized by the Catholic Eucharistic vessel ), reincarnation, and even a Hugh Jackman that in once instance bears a striking resemblance to Jesus down to the spear in his side, and in another appears as an Eastern holy man. There is a direct visual parallel between living with a brain tumor and a beautiful nebula (a dying yet gloriously Living star); The uplifting (literally!) visualizations incorporate both the Western Christian and Eastern religions as a holistically, universal part of each of us, even though we, in our own Journey, may not "have eyes to see" yet.
Dr. Tom finally comes full circle in his Journey when he finally 'finishes' the book his wife began; he learns to accept the inevitability of death, and thereby becomes able to live. Even if you are not familiar with the Bible or Eastern philosophy, you too can find Inspiration here.