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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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
61 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was seriously impacted by this film! When I saw this film in the cinema I walked out blinking, not quite sure what had happened and I knew some how I had missed the whole film! So upon release I watched it again, then again, and once 2 times on one day, getting a complete difference of viewpoint and reaction completely! I was fascinated by this, some friends who saw it reacted like it was some trash Lady Ga Ga would pump out, others had profound reactions from it, never in the middle! The music, the ending build up! I needlessly go onto the film website where they have captured those emotional points.
Some said the end was sad, others said it was profound with the relisations of todays culture how " Death is a disease lets stop it" and " Death is the road to AWE" the very duality of this film! Thats reflects usually the reaction of the people too, the ones who enjoy the disease perspective were usually the ones that hated, disliked, or didn't get the film!
The extras on this film are brilliant, the closing down of the studios of its original production then huge downsizing or the story and script to get it made. The 3 different times in the making and on some of the dvds there isn't the interview done by Rachel Weiss to Hugh Jackman which is very interesting indeed!
The soundtrack also has the haunting emotional Philip Glass-like hypnotic effect that is only as clint mansell can do.
Some said the end was sad, others said it was profound with the relisations of todays culture how " Death is a disease lets stop it" and " Death is the road to AWE" the very duality of this film! Thats reflects usually the reaction of the people too, the ones who enjoy the disease perspective were usually the ones that hated, disliked, or didn't get the film!
The extras on this film are brilliant, the closing down of the studios of its original production then huge downsizing or the story and script to get it made. The 3 different times in the making and on some of the dvds there isn't the interview done by Rachel Weiss to Hugh Jackman which is very interesting indeed!
The soundtrack also has the haunting emotional Philip Glass-like hypnotic effect that is only as clint mansell can do.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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The Fountain: A story of love, life, death and life.
The Fountain is one of the best, earliest and core films of director Darren Aranofsky. Famous for his artistic flare, mainstream cinema has often been confused by him - as his... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Camalonious
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This film will completely divide people. I think it is one of the most beautiful and lyrical films I have ever seen and was enraptured by it. Read more
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The Fountain
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Published 9 months ago by Davaelaois
Meet me in Shibalba ...
This creation myth melting pot with its themes of eternal life and love carried me on a journey which took me a couple of viewings to really get into with my appreciation growing... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Shrewlord
whats the point?
this film leaves you with so many possible interpretations that ultimately i'm left wondering whats the point in it at all?
Published 10 months ago by Mr. N. P. Hayward
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