'Fountain' confusing until well after movie is over, but fantastic visionary ride

Rating: 6/10 (2 December 2006)

Two lovers are followed over the span of a thousand years. What they discover about each other is a story of love, death, spirituality and the essence of hope. I think. Darren Aronofsky's latest visual ride is "The Fountain," starring Hugh Jackman ("X-Men") and Rachel Weisz ("The Mummy"). The story revolves around their love throughout the past, present and future. In the past, Tomas (Jackman) is a soldier of Spain in 1500, sent by the queen (Weisz) to find the Tree of Life. Finding it will save Spain, and as she says it, make the queen the Eve to Tomas's Adam. In the present, Tommy is a scientist and his wife, Izzi, has cancer that has spread to her brain. Tommy is obsessed with finding a cure for Izzi, shutting out everyone and everything to save his beloved. His lab has a sample of the Tree of Life and hopes to eventually use it on Izzi so they can be together forever. In the future, Tom Creo is an astronaut in a ship, taking the Tree of Life to a dying star in order to reunite with his lost lover. The movie itself is confusing. If you expect to go to the theater and see three stories in a row, you are very wrong. The movie switches from all three eras, getting pieces of information throughout each scene to eventually piece together the final conclusion. Before seeing the movie, I researched and saw that most people would not get the movie, and that you should pay attention to everything in order to pick up on what is going on. Well I did, and I walked out of the theater like a six-year-old who was just told to memorize calculus. I was utterly confused. "The Fountain" is a ride that takes massive thinking and attention. Symbolism is everywhere. From the constant colors and camera views, to the meaning of each action in every scene. Anything major event that occurs means something to the rest of the movie and all three eras. The movie involves many different themes and thoughts, especially dealing with spirituality. The story of Adam and Eve, the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge, the Mayan First Father story, the book Izzi writes, the missing wedding ring, the seven deadly sins and so on. Everything in the movie has a meaning. What seems like three different stories ends up being a story that is all woven together by the end with the common goal of love. Characters go through the same experiences in different times, with almost the same outcome each time. But believe me, it is not that simple. 'The Fountain" has a beautiful tone to it. It is shot fantastically, and Aronofsky is well on his way to being one of the most visually intriguing and thought-provoking directors of our time. Aronofsky's previous film, "Requiem for a Dream," is a depressing yet fantastic movie. It was the reason I wanted to explore this film, and it ends up being something completely unique and different. I didn't get this movie until I got home and read the hundreds of posts on the movie. In fact, I still don't have it all pieced together. If you want a film that you can just sit back and enjoy without thinking, do not see this film. It is really hard to get and absorb, and it's one of those movies that you could enjoy more after leaving the theater and discussing it. I hated the movie after it ended, and had to read and read about it before I got what happened. Now I want to see it again to catch everything I missed, which was about 60% of the film. Jackman and Weisz are simply amazing. Originally, Brad Pitt and Cate Blancett were slotted for this film, and I am glad that changed. I can't see Pitt giving the emotion or depth that Jackman gives in the film. The two are simply stunning, and give performances that are more than nomination worthy. It is one of those movies that is enhanced tremendously by the performances of the actors. So, if you give this movie a try, get ready for a complicated ride. Watch for everything, absorb every sentence, statement or action. It is a great movie concealed by visual mystery and story-telling, and definitely worth a second look. So be prepared to be confused, tested, and enthralled. "The Fountain" is a one of a kind film, if you are up for a challenge and a thought- provoking experience. EEe