The Fountain Movie Review (2006)
A fantastical tale of love and grief, The Fountain, about a medical researcher trying to save his dying wife, includes many layers and epic stories.
When this movie was first released, I remember hearing the mixed reviews. People thought it was confusing or were in love with it; the stories didn’t connect with each other or, ignore the story, just pay attention to the emotional journey. I didn’t watch it at the time, and I have no real reason as to why, but I have finally watched it now, and I think I can help clear a few things up.
The Fountain is about Tommy and Izzi, two lovers who meet each other in three seemingly different stories. In one, Conquistador Tomas fights to find the legendary item for Queen Isabella. In a second, Tommy is part of a research team trying to find a cure for a disease while tending to his dying wife, Izzi. In a third, Tom is in some other dimension where he tends to a tree and is frequently pestered by a woman named Izzi, who is always clad in a coat and hat.
My reactions to this fantasy sci-fi romance drama (you can understand why this might be confusing) landed between curiosity, fascination, and wide-eyed interest. I was in from the beginning, although, I agree, it took a very long time for me to piece together what might be happening.
There are many things at play in this movie, but also, only a few. The film itself is about love, grief, and managing the concept of death. All three of these can be utterly intense experiences, and this film aims to show them in grand and visceral ways, which I think it accomplishes.
There are layers of connected – and repetitive – dialogue through all three stories, and without my giving too much away, the way I understand the film, one story is real life, and two are supplemental, taking place in Izzi’s world and, later, in Tommy’s world. The film is told in a nonlinear fashion.
Both Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz do an incredible job, but it is really Jackman who steals the show. It is his story, and Izzi is a bit more like a nymph, showing up as a constant, but not landing emotionally for the audience. Her story belongs to him, not to us.
Visually, I was impressed with several shots, particularly one that takes place towards the end, where Tomas finds what he is looking for and is consumed by greenery and flowers. It’s a fantastic moment. But, while we had the ability to do amazing cinematic things on film 20 years ago, it did leave me curious what choices Darren Aronofsky may have made for the “other dimension” scenes if he had made this movie today. What exists absolutely works, it’s just a curiosity.
I understand why there is a lot of confusion about this film, so I’d love to discuss the eccentricities at length if anyone has any questions. I’m sure I haven’t fully figured it out myself! But overall, The Fountain is really about Tommy’s love for Izzi and how that emotion ascends time and place. Besides, isn’t grief really love without any place to put it?
Runtime: 96 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? I got choked up
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
