THE FOUNTAIN
dir: Darren Aronofsky
"Our bodies are prisons for our souls. Our skin and blood, the iron bars of confinement. But fear not. All flesh decays. Death turns all to ash. And thus, death frees every soul. " - Grand Inquisitor Silecio
Brief Synopsis
Three parallel storylines taking place thousands of years apart tell the story of a man in love with an ill-fated woman. In 1,000 BC Tomas must search for the tree of life for his queen whose power is being threatened. In 2006 Thomas must race to find a cure to his wife's fatal illness. In 3,000 Tomas travels through space with the tree holding the spirit of his wife towards a nebula that he believes will bring her back.
Why It's Here
The brainchild of Darren Aronofsky, The Fountain combines the unique visual style and bizarre ambiguity of Aronofsky's previous films while placing in a new romantic storyline that is unlike any romance ever filmed before it. Aronofsky spent nearly a decade attempting to have this film made, he passed on his chance to make the next Batman (which would become "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight") and instead drove on to complete his passion project. While critics and audience initially dismissed the film as self-indulgent and nonsense, it's strong cult following ensures that "The Fountain" will remain a cult classic long after the critically acclaimed current summer hits have faded from our memories. Aronofsky shows such affection for this project that it is impossible to ignore. A beautiful film which tells the story of three parallel tragedies all with similar ill fated romances. Aronofsky's budget was sliced into pieces after production shut down on the film, but this didn't hurt the film, in fact it likely helped it become even better. The focus is on the characters, their stories and troubles, the only effects are micro-photography which Aronofsky used instead of CGI, this gives the film a far more natural and realistic feel. It's unique and that's what makes it memorable.
The stories are told excellently, connected in small ways, the stories all tell how they believe love and life can live forever in their respective centuries. The most compelling story being the present time battle with cancer, while the most visually pleasing and soothing is the future tale which is quiet, slow, and relaxing.
The film's ending is a bit bizarre, particularly when the future and past stories intersect, however, if you really think about it, the nebula and the story and theory that surrounds it, it makes perfect sense. You just have to go back and re watch the film a few times to get it. By get it, I mean, make you're own interpretation. What's most amazing about Aronofsky's film is the way it can be viewed. There is no answer to the film, there is no definite conclusion or meaning. I have heard the interpretations being compared to real-world beliefs. There is no one faith or religion, as their is no one answer or understanding to "The Fountain". The film is amazing because each viewer walks away with their own interpretation, everyone sees something different and each viewing is unique, something that is nearly impossible to achieve in the world of film.
Though, don't worry about information overload, don't attempt to soak all it all in and make a grand theory. The film is a visual treat, and to focus too much on the logic behind the parallel plots is to miss the entire movie. It's an atmospheric film meant to involve you in it's states of bliss and misery, to feel the emotions that the film spews out, rather than focus on writing an essay about it. The film's goal is to have you talking and wondering, but at the same time affected by it's drama. Some people will never accept it's unclear message, however, if you can allow your mind to take in what "The Fountain" has to offer, you may thank yourself.
The stories are told excellently, connected in small ways, the stories all tell how they believe love and life can live forever in their respective centuries. The most compelling story being the present time battle with cancer, while the most visually pleasing and soothing is the future tale which is quiet, slow, and relaxing.
The film's ending is a bit bizarre, particularly when the future and past stories intersect, however, if you really think about it, the nebula and the story and theory that surrounds it, it makes perfect sense. You just have to go back and re watch the film a few times to get it. By get it, I mean, make you're own interpretation. What's most amazing about Aronofsky's film is the way it can be viewed. There is no answer to the film, there is no definite conclusion or meaning. I have heard the interpretations being compared to real-world beliefs. There is no one faith or religion, as their is no one answer or understanding to "The Fountain". The film is amazing because each viewer walks away with their own interpretation, everyone sees something different and each viewing is unique, something that is nearly impossible to achieve in the world of film.
Though, don't worry about information overload, don't attempt to soak all it all in and make a grand theory. The film is a visual treat, and to focus too much on the logic behind the parallel plots is to miss the entire movie. It's an atmospheric film meant to involve you in it's states of bliss and misery, to feel the emotions that the film spews out, rather than focus on writing an essay about it. The film's goal is to have you talking and wondering, but at the same time affected by it's drama. Some people will never accept it's unclear message, however, if you can allow your mind to take in what "The Fountain" has to offer, you may thank yourself.