Movie Overview/Interpretation

Rating: 9/10 (7 December 2006)

I must say, the fountain is a visually captivating film with terrific acting. I cannot emphasize how important it is to place trust in Aronofsky while watching this film, and follow his path through this cyclical adventure. This is not a linear story. If you cannot detach yourself from formulaic art you may not like this film. I have read quite a few negative criticisms on the film, and I write this to offer my interpretation to show that it is possible to appreciate this film aside from the gorgeous visuals. I am not saying the film goes without flaws, but what film is perfect? We see Thomas among 3 different landscapes of time. These landscapes could be interpreted as past, present, and future; and among each landscape the themes life, death, and knowledge are represented. In the past Thomas is a Spaniard who takes the mission from Isabel the Queen of Spain to find a cure against the diseased Spanish inquisition. The cure believed to be found in a sort of tree of life, and the sap of the tree is the cure. As Thomas closes in on the source of the cure, he is nearly fatally wounded, and therefore must use the cure on himself. Thomas is rebuilt from the sap. However, this life Thomas thought he was saving, that life being his own, is quickly met with a definition more becoming to the universe rather than to humans. His body is torn apart and reborn with earth. He recovered not his life as a human by the sap, but instead knowledge that there is no death, but a cycle of life. Thomas is not independent of the universe as a human, but instead an integral part of the universe as a tree to its roots, the roots to the soil, the rain to the soil, and so forth. Present day Thomas is a research oncologist who is again trying to find a cure for Izzi. His mission ill fated once again as the cancer's life engulfs Izzi's life. Izzi having cancer was a catalyst for Thomas's research. Though he could not save her life he did reach a break through, and with that knowledge he can prolong life for others. Finally, we see Thomas in the terrarium orb gliding through space. These segments of the film act as a mind's eye as well as another landscape. We see Thomas here traveling through the universe. However, we are moving on the path purposed by the knowledge bestowed by Izzi's book, The Fountain, to find the cure to death. In the end, the extension of life or cure to death is not found in our favor. The universe engulfs Thomas, as he was smaller vessel of energy he is now apart of a bigger energy in the universe. His body dies but he lives in the cycle of life. Explaining life as cyclical is not easy to portray in any medium. Aronofsky is an artist, a good one, and he should be supported. It would be a shame if we lost any future opportunities to see his work. I urge you to watch this challenging film, and let yourself see it. Don't waist your time and money and see it through the eyes of a quick to judge critic. There are many other themes I didn't touch on, but you will have to discover those on your own. If you enjoy this film I highly recommend the film "Slaughter House 5", and if you like these concepts research the symbol "Om".
Best Exploring