A Visual and Visceral Feast

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2009)

As a fan of Darren Aronofsky's work since it all began with Pi, i was eagerly anticipating this film; a long time in the making.
Unfortunately for me, it was pulled from theatre's just weeks after it first aired, and the reasons are so painfully clear.
This is not a film for the average popcorn flick cinema goer. whilst seemingly complex the basic premise is simple; "love conquers all". However this theme seemed to elude casual cinema goers with an at first awkwardly strung plot line between what appears to be three different characters.
Upon subsequent viewings one can safely say that the plot line is much more tangible and not as difficult to follow as first presumed.
A man tortured by the memories of a love he lost, and his gradual, painful acceptance of death. Jackman is fantastic and this film really shows off his theatre background. Seldom has a performance moved me like this, the last i can recall is Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Weisz is fantastic in the role of Izzi, she has a certain glow to her in anything she does, and her and Jackman's chemistry is quite unique and above all, believable.
The emerging themes of death as an inevitability coupled with the age old formula of mans struggle against immortality make for something truly special. Visually stunning and emotionally articulate The Fountain delivers something that Hollywood should be striving to do more often.
Clint Mansell's soundtrack is sublime. Working closely with the Kronos Quartet and Scottish rockers Mogwai (a personal favourite of mine) the sound produced from this dream trio is something utterly indescribable and without this musical input, the film would not have had the impact that it had and still has. Even after viewings in the double figures.
A film that i'm sure will become a cult classic in many years to come, but sadly misunderstood and unfortunately labelled "pretentious" by many casual cinema goers.
The Fountain is a film you have to watch as it is difficult to define in words, make up your own mind, and we'll see where this film is in ten years time...