“The Fountain” is included in the Disney+ subscription and is today’s streaming tip. You can now discover in detail what it is about and why I recommend the unique mix of sci-fi, fantasy, history and spirituality.
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That’s what ‘The Fountain’ is about
In The Fountain we follow three parallel storylines that are intertwined throughout the film:
The first storyline begins in the 16th century and follows Spanish conquistador Tomás (Hugh Jackman) as he searches for the mythical Tree of Life.
The second story arc takes place in 2025 and shows the reincarnation of Tomas. She works as a scientist to cheat death. He tries to find a cure for cancer in order to save his dying wife Isabel (Rachel Weisz).
In the third storyline set in the 26th century, we finally experience Tomá’s latest reincarnation as an astronaut. He travels the universe to reach the cosmic source of eternal life.
Cinema has rarely been so beautiful
That director Darren Aronofsky likes to deal with themes such as fragility and broken souls is nothing new. “Requiem For A Dream” or “Black Swan” are the best examples. With “The Fountain”, which came out in 2006, he went one step further in terms of emotionality. This is achieved through the repetitive passion story of Tomás. Again and again he chases a possibility to escape death and save the women, who are also reincarnated.
The optics are correspondingly artful, so that the drama takes my personal place as one of the most beautiful films of all time. Mayan temples, starry skies and a transcendent journey through the cosmos using macro photography exude visual aesthetics. But not only that: Clint Mansell, who has already made a name for himself with the impressive leitmotif “Lux Aeterna” in “Requiem For A Dream”, was also present. The included soundtrack, which brilliantly captures the constant melancholy, is like music for eternity.
Beyond space and time
When the credits of a movie roll in and you’re trying to process what you’ve just seen, it’s usually a good sign. “The Fountain” is one such movie, which is perhaps due not only to the optics and soundtrack, but also to the passion story itself. For example, if you only had the story about Tomás as a scientist, the drama wouldn’t work in this form. It is striking because both the characters and the audience have to go through the process of death, mourning and loss several times, however painful that may be.
Aronofsky thus captures a unique atmosphere that extends over a very long period of time. The search for the source of immortality is clearly central and shows a very exciting development over the centuries. Myth and legend are replaced by science, while things look very different again in the 26th century. The urge for immortality, but at the same time the realization that death is inevitable, lasts forever. It is terrifying poetry that Aronofsky presents us here.
No light fare
Aronofsky’s drama is by no means a simple film. With the three parallel storylines, the general challenge of capturing cinematic poetry and the visual design, the director demands quite a lot from his audience. Given the best circumstances to fall into the “overwhelming” category, “The Fountain” resembles a cinematic challenge.
With the world of emotions turned upside down and the story interspersed with themes such as spirituality, infinity, redemption and esotericism, this kind of science fiction may not be for everyone. However, due to the excellent narrative structure and cohesion of the strands, one is spared from general confusion. Here Aronofsky shows all his skills, who apparently likes to make things difficult for himself. This courage deserves more recognition.
“The Fountain” can prove to be intellectual, cinematically demanding and somewhat overwhelming over the course of its 100 minutes. On the other hand, the masterpiece is never tiresome, confusing or annoying, for example à la David Lynch. Aronofsky’s masterpiece is actually a classic love story. With poetic presentation, the fact that this romance can last for thousands of years, and the urge for immortality and redemption shown, the drama goes far beyond that. If you prepare for this, this movie gem will hold a very special place in your heart. I speak from experience.
And if you’re looking forward to more from Darren Aronofsky, The Whale will hit theaters soon. The drama, which has just been nominated for three Oscars – for makeup and hair styling, for Hong Chau for best supporting actress and most importantly for Brendan Fraser for best actor, will start on April 27, 2023.