The Fountain [DVD] [2006]

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• This item: The Fountain [DVD] [2006] DVD ~ Hugh Jackman

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• The Prestige [DVD] [2006] DVD ~ Christian Bale

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• Deception [DVD] [2008] DVD ~ Hugh Jackman

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Amazon.co.uk Review
Science fiction and romance collide in The Fountain, the ambitious third feature from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream), who laboured for four years to complete this epic-sized love story that stretches across centuries and galaxies. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky's real-life companion) play lovers in each of the film's three settings--16th century Europe and America (Jackman is a Spanish explorer searching for Incan magic), the present day (Jackman is a doctor attempting to cure his dying wife), and the 26th century (Jackman is a space traveller seeking a gateway to the afterlife)-–who struggle mightily to stay united, only to lose each other time and again. Aronofsky may not have chosen the easiest presentation for audiences to absorb his theories on the lasting qualities of life and the transformative powers of death-–the final sequence, in particular, with a bald Jackman floating through space in a bubble, harks back uncomfortably to "head movies" of the late '60s-–but his leads have considerable chemistry (and look terrific to boot), which goes a long way towards securing viewers' hopes for a happy ending. Critical reception for The Fountain has been nothing short of bloodthirsty, with Cannes audiences booing, but there are elements to enjoy here, even if the premise throws one for a loop. Ellen Burstyn (who earned an Oscar nomination for Requiem for a Dream) delivers a typically solid performance as Jackman's boss in the present day sequence, and special effects (most done without the benefit of CGI) are also impressive given the film's low budget (spurred by a mid-production shutdown after original stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett ankled the picture). And science-fiction fans whose tastes run towards the metaphysical (Asimov, Le Guin) will appreciate the attempt to present the genre in a serious light. -- Paul Gaita

Synopsis
Darren Aronofsky's THE FOUNTAIN is sure to enchant, beguile, and inspire intense debate among his fans. During the gap since 2000's REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, Aronofsky had struggled to bring THE FOUNTAIN to the screen, principally because leading man Brad Pitt dropped out of the project. The complex tale is split into three different time periods, beginning in the 16th century, when a conquistador named Tomas (Hugh Jackman) strives to find the Tree of Life. The second part of the story finds Jackman playing a Buddha-like character who zips through outer space and dreams of a woman named Izzi (Rachel Weisz). And the third part, which consumes most of the film's screen time, is set in the present day and sees Jackman playing a doctor named Tommy, who is married to the terminally ill Izzi. In this third section Tommy strives to find a cure for Izzi's brain tumour, and makes some progress after experimenting on a monkey with a substance discovered in a tree in South America. Meanwhile, Izzi has been writing a book that she calls THE FOUNTAIN, but has left the final chapter for Tommy to write. As Aronofsky pushes and pulls his sepia-tinted film between the three time periods, he weaves a deeply thoughtful, special effects-laden story that touches on themes of mortality and self, and requires a great deal of work from the director's audience. Movies such as Kubrick's 2001 and Tarkovsky's SOLARIS come to mind as Aronofsky gets deep into philosophical waters, and the various story strands of THE FOUNTAIN are as inconclusive and open to interpretation as the films that have clearly influenced it. The film makes for uneasy and sometimes confusing viewing, but will find its audience among intrepid souls who are fully prepared to let go and immerse themselves in Aronofsky's peculiar, daring, and thoughtful cinematic universe.

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86 Reviews 5 star:  (37) 4 star:  (9) 3 star:  (8) 2 star:  (8) 1 star:  (24)           Average Customer Review 3.3 out of 5 stars (86 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   35 of 36 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Unique & Visionary, 5 Jun 2007 By  N. Cannon (UK, London) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    There were as many detractors as those appluading this film on it's release, but you can't please everyone. This film is cut from an entirely different cloth than most of the Hollywood dross out there these days, and shows a certain level of forward thinking from Warners to stick by Aronofsky and his vision for the film. What we get is a tight, well acted piece of filmaking which literally glows and radiates an intense passion throughout the 90min screentime. It may be too open ended for most cineplex viewers, requiring a leap of imagination to absorb the tryptich of narrative as the film jumps between 3 timelines: Past, Present, Future, but for those of us prepared to invest something into the experience( and leave all that 21st century cynicism/ negativity at the door) you'll be rewarded with a beautiful, emotive, intelligent film that leaves you wanting more. Everyone will have their own take on what the film actually means, and where and when the final timeline actually takes place? but that is the beauty of this film, it makes you think, about yourself, your loved ones and our place in the universe. If only more films did this the world could be a better place. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   11 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Small wonders, 3 Feb 2008 By  customer "robp2002" - See all my reviews Certainly this film lacks the itchy paranoia of Pi or the hallucinatory / visceral power of Requiem for a Dream. The triptych of stories doesn't always mesh together and accusations of pretension are pretty difficult to deflect. Yet The Fountain contains much to recommend it, not least the sensuous photography that beautifully captures some startling images. But what really works is the relationship between the two leads. There's a real chemistry between Jackman and Weisz that adds an emotional depth to the film that is lacking in Aronofsky's previous outings. One of those films that will intrigue some, enrapture a few but bewilder many. Worth watching because you may be one of those it enraptures. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   44 of 47 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars You won't see a more beautiful film all year, 9 Jun 2007 By  Mr. Od Smith "d2kvirus" (Coulsdon, Surrey) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    After a long wait, complete with the projects being stopped in its tracks once already, The Fountain finally reached our screens to an occasionally perplexed and/or apathetic audience on one hand, on the other to an audience that it struck an emotional chord with. I fall into the latter, if you hadn't guessed. This was always going to be Darren Aronofsky's difficult third movie following the mind-melting Pi and the emotional assault & battery of Requiem for a Dream, but he pulls it off with an intimate, heartbreaking story that happens to span 1000 years, only it doesn't once you think about it. The three narrative threads (Tommy in the modern day, Tomas the Conquistador, and Tom the spaceman) may appear to jar, but they all fit into the story - not the story of the film, but the book that Tommy's dying wife Izzy is writing as her brain tumour threatens to overcome her once and for all. The Fountain has an air of sadness that seeps from the screen: the repeated motif of Izzy asking Tommy to take a walk with her in the snow plays time and again, and takes on sadder connotations every time, while the Tommy/Tomas/Tom character(s) all face an impossible task in trying to prevent natural following it's inevitable course towards death, and how man is unable to prevent the people he loves succumbing to fate. One scene sees Tommy completely numb by bad news, walking down a street and unable to take in what's going on around him (passers-by, traffic, construction works) and we don't hear a thing until he's almost hit by a car. As always, Aronofsky can create stunning images on screen, and as always accompanied by Clint Mansell's intimate, stripped-back score that enhances the events and the feeling of loss that is preparing to come to the fore upon all three variations of Hugh Jackman's lead character. Indeed, even when he succeeds, it ends up hurting him as he just prolonged the inevitable until it could hurt him once more. It may not be a Friday night popcorn movie by any means, but it is a one of the finest pieces of filmmaking of recent years, and more proof that Darren Aronofsky is an underrated director that is capable of creating cinematic genius out of the meanest of circumstances, and is a film that you should see. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 86 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars The Fountain? More like 'The Tree'! Tommy Creo (Hugh Jackman), a research oncologist, is desparately searching for a cure for brain tumours. Read more Published 21 days ago by J. Fryar 4.0 out of 5 stars A blemished beauty called Hollywood There is no plot to 'Fountain'. Instead, the film is built around a theme. It's a simple theme, but one that all of us have to come to terms with because we have no choice. Read more Published 1 month ago by Hud955i 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, throught provoking, life changing ! I wholeheartedly agree with all the positive comments on this film. It's an amazing piece of work from a visionary director and a stunning performance by Hugh... Read more Published 2 months ago by Ms. L. Valentine 1.0 out of 5 stars Avoid at all costs!! It takes a lot to make me want to write a review. Either it's because something has touched me on some deep level, exciting my senses, and shaping my life in such a way that I... Read more Published 2 months ago by S. Halbert 5.0 out of 5 stars 5 star offbeat film Oh yes! What a gem of a movie. None of your hollywood blockbuster movie hype here. This film takes patience to follow and should appeal to anyone with even a... Read more Published 5 months ago by Rob B. 1.0 out of 5 stars quite deep if you're 5 and a little slow Sorry, but I've never seen so much pretentious and immature nonsense in all my life. This is definately the work of an uneducated mind. Read more Published 5 months ago by seekingthetruth 2.0 out of 5 stars What an odd film? This film is plain and simply 'odd'. The acting is ok, the visual effects are awesome. You can't help feeling someone spiked your last drink on occasions. Read more Published 6 months ago by H. S. Fraser 5.0 out of 5 stars sheer class This works if you let it. I imagine that each viewer takes something different from this film, there is no clear cut narrative that guides you through the story... Read more Published 6 months ago by N. Carley 5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful film! This film isn't easy: it is cryptic, it is illogical, and very broad; it actually requires emotional attachment, and imagination from the viewer. Read more Published 7 months ago by RA White 5.0 out of 5 stars Complicated But Brilliant Spanning over 3 time periods, the Fountain follows the life of Tom (Hugh Jackman) a Spanish Conquistador, a Doctor trying to cure Cancer, and a lone spaceman guarding the Tree of... Read more Published 8 months ago by Omac Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 86 customer reviews...

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