A spectacularly beautiful film that challenges the philosophical mind

Rating: 8/10 (27 November 2006)

Coming out of the theater after seeing this film, I found myself thinking that I wanted my money back. One of the only thoughts I had while watching the film was that it is a gorgeous piece of art. At the time, I found myself seemingly unmoved by the experience. I came to understand that it was because I was too busy trying to figure out the story. But I couldn't get the film out of my head (and still can't). Like some sort of brain teaser or a Rubix-cube, I thought and thought about the film from every possible angle. I understood the themes and the thesis of the film, but still I didn't understand the story (from a sequential standpoint anyway). What I found to be the most intriguing aspect of the film was that I could actually contemplate it and have intelligent discussions about it. For that I feel I wasn't ripped off. And the conclusion that I have drawn about the story is that it isn't one that can be deduced in a logical sense. To me, at least, the stories that take place in the past and in the future are metaphors for the story taking place in our time. The book Izzy is writing reflects her inter-most interests in Xibalba, the Tree of Life, and her desire to face death with hope and fearlessness. As Tommy reads her book, he and we, as the audience, are transported into these worlds where he is perpetually questing to save Izzy from death, be it in the form of a queen or as a tree. Throughout the film, Tommy holds on to her almost obsessively. As the events in the present time unfold, the events in the other two time periods evolve, as well. The title, "The Fountain" refers to the book Izzy writes as well as the cure (in three forms) that Tommy hopes will save her. The film is about a man learning to understand and deal with the loss of his beloved wife by delving into what comforted her on her path to death.