The Fountain (2006)

Director:

Darren Aronofsky

Writers (WGA):

Darren Aronofsky (screenplay)
Darren Aronofsky (story) ...

Release Date:

22 November 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

What If You Could Live Forever?

Plot:

Spanning over one thousand years, and three parallel stories, The Fountain is a story of love, death, spirituality, and the fragility of our existence in this world.

Plot Keywords:

Tree | Love | Queen | Tree Of Life | Conquistador

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Hugh Jackman	...	Tomas / Tommy / Tom Creo
Rachel Weisz	...	Isabel / Izzi Creo
Ellen Burstyn	...	Dr. Lillian Guzetti
Mark Margolis	...	Father Avila
Stephen McHattie	...	Grand Inquisitor Silecio
Fernando Hernandez	...	Lord of Xibalba
Cliff Curtis	...	Captain Ariel
Sean Patrick Thomas	...	Antonio
Donna Murphy	...	Betty
Ethan Suplee	...	Manny
Richard McMillan	...	Henry
Lorne Brass	...	Dr. Alan Lipper
Abraham Aronofsky	...	Lab Technician
Renee Asofsky	...	Lab Technician
Anish Majumdar	...	Dr. Spencer

Also Known As:

The Last Man (USA) (original script title)
La fuente de la vida (Argentina) (DVD title) (Mexico) (Peru) (Spain) [es]
Фонтан (Russia) [ru]
Allikas (Estonia) [et]
Fontána (Czech Republic) [cs]
Fontana zivota (Croatia) [hr]
Fonte da Vida (Brazil) (festival title) [pt]
I pigi tis zois (Greece) [el]
Kaynak (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
L'albero della vita (Italy) [it]
La fontaine (Canada: French title) [fr]
O Último Capítulo (Portugal) [pt]
The Fountain (France) [fr]
Zródlo (Poland) [pl]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violent action, some sensuality and language. (edited for re-rating; originally R)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Maya

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 (original rating) | Ireland:15A | Australia:M | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | UK:12A (edited for re-rating) | USA:R (original rating) | Singapore:PG | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Argentina:13 | Netherlands:16 | Sweden:11 | Finland:K-13 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15 | Peru:14 | USA:PG-13 (edited for re-rating) (certificate #41776) | Brazil:14 | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Cité du Cinéma, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Warner Brothers had already invested 20 million dollars in the canceled version of the film before they agreed to finance the new, cheaper version.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Tikal is mentioned by the queen's priest, however, it wasn't completely discovered until the mid XIX century. Also the name Tikal, which means "place of voices" was invented at the beginnings of the XX century by archaeologists.

Quotes:

Izzi: [as a vision of Izzi in 2500] Finish it.
Tom Creo: Stop... Stop it!
[he rises from beside the tree and marches to her]
Tom Creo: What do you want? Leave me, leave me alone! Please, please... It's not my...
[kneels and breaks into sobs]
Izzi: [she touches his head with a robed arm; he looks up and sees Queen Isabella, smiles, and stands] Will you deliver Spain from bondage?
Tom Creo: I don't know... I'm trying, trying... I don't know how.
Izzi: You do. You will.
[cut to Tom, then cut to Izzi]
Izzi: You do... You will.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Three Ages (1923)

A Fascinating Gem

'The Fountain' is one fascinating film. I don't think there's enough words to describe what it's like. After watching the film, I've read several different interpretations and can only conclude that don't make a decision on what you've read, simply watch the film. It's a unique movie-watching experience.

Aronofsky took me by complete surprise. I loved his 'Requiem for a Dream' but I did not expect him to come up with something so different. Man, is that a big difference, not only in content but also in technique and pretty much everything. All I knew beforehand was that the film was a science fiction and that it starred Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (actors whom I like). After watching it, I can safely say that 'The Fountain' is much more than just a science fiction flick.

I won't mention much of the plot as I do not want to ruin the experience by giving any spoilers. I would love to discuss the film with people who have already seen it. Aronofsky uses of symbolism, colour, and spectacular visuals to tell a story of life, death, love and rebirth. The visuals are simply breathtaking and the special effects are phenomenal. The use of different camera angles is particularly excellent as it gives the viewer (well at least me) the feel of the moving time and space. He cleverly uses lighting and colour to distinguish between the atmosphere of the different times as he does with the zoomlens. And, of course the soundtrack which is very underused but beautifully noticeable.

Hugh Jackman is terrific in a multidimensional character and Rachel Weisz is phenomenal. She's particularly outstanding as she plays her part with a subtle intensity. Ellen Burstyn has a smaller role but she is splendid to watch.

It's really difficult to describe what the experience is like in just a few words. I haven't yet understood every single aspect of 'The Fountain' and am going to be rewatching it, but it does stay in mind long after the end credits have rolled. It's a complex theme but the basis is simple. It won't be liked by many as so many of it is left to interpretation with a lot of questions but for me it's fascinating and is all a movie-watching experience should be.