An Intelligent Film, A Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (23 November 2006)

I have read through the assortment of comments and I have to be brutally honest in saying: most of them are perfect examples of the mainstream mind. So sorry if that offends anyone, but I do believe that most reviewers have neither the emotional stamina nor the intellectual capacity to thoroughly understand and enjoy Darren Aronofsky's film.
I have been waiting for nearly two years to see this film, suffering through endless uncertainty concerning script, actors, budget, release dates, and after seeing the film finally I will admit it is one of the most beautifully poignant films I have ever seen.
I believe that Jackman and Weisz are much better choices for leads than Pitt and Blanchett. Jackman's intense, extremely personal acting made the character of Thomas believable: the pain you see in his eyes is essential to connecting with his 'eternal' struggle to save the love of his 'lives' Izzy, played by Weisz, who's acting is also another picture-perfect example of poised understatement. Their fragility is effortless and they impart a humanity to the characters that makes them immortal and almost iconic.
This film contains a certain serenity that will completely go over the heads of most viewers. The ability to truly connect with someone and to love them throughout eternity is a rare one and Aronofsky puts forth an interesting example of how two people can live and love forever. We are expected to immerse ourselves into their love and I believe that might be one of the most contentious parts of this film seeing as how the majority of people have not and most likely never will be loved in such a manner.
I will wrap this up by saying Clint Mansell's score with some help from The Kronos Quartet was almost like a third lead actor. The desperation emanating from Jackman's Thomas was translated into a steady stream of muted yet at the same time, brilliant music. The film effects (which are not CGI by the way) are utterly metaphysical and they carry that certain touch of eternity that Arnofsky was aiming for.
If you can release your inhibitions and clear your mind of the expected, this film will be a breath of piercingly fresh air. And if you want fast action, pointless bloodshed, ridiculous sex scenes and reworked dialogue from a thousand other mainstream films, go see something else and leave the intelligent films to those who appreciate them.
Cheers to Aronofsky for breaking the mold and making cinema worthy of the title 'art'.