The Fountain

THE FOUNTAIN (2006) - Nov. 15, 2006
Well, that was surprising. After the unpleasant and over-the-top Requiem for a Dream, I didn't think Darren Aronofsky had a movie this good in him, but, well, here it is. Featuring a complex narrative which interweaves three stories in three different time periods, all starring Hugh Jackman. The bulk of the film stars Jackman as a doctor struggling to find a cure for his wife's cancer, but then there is also a story about Jackman as a Spanish Conquistador, and one about Jackman in the future, flying through space in a strange, snow-globe-esque spaceship. The three stories are all linked, though it is not immediately clear how (other than the fact that they all star Jackman and Rachel Weisz); the film is a bit puzzling, particularly the first half, but never in a bad way. It all comes together by the end in a way that is satisfying, if not entirely clear (this is a movie which makes you think, which is not a bad thing). It's all anchored by a really phenomenal performance by Jackman, which is particularly impressive seeing that he plays three characters who are all very different and yet the same. The film is really well directed by Aronofsky, who deftly weaves the three stories together, and features some really stunning cinematography by Matthew Libatique. The ending goes on for maybe a tad longer than it should, but that's a really minor complaint for an otherwise really intriguing, well-made film. ***1/2