The Fountain
"Hope is alive
while we're apart
only tears
speak from my heart
break the chains
that hold us down
and we shall be
forever bound"
The Fountain.
The Fountain is the third film from the immensely talented writer/director Darren Aronofsky. The bulk of the film centers on the story of Tommy [Hugh Jackman] and Izzi [Rachel Weisz], which is set in the year 2000. Tommy is a doctor who's wife, Izzi, is dying of a brian tumor. He is frantically searching for a cure for his wife's death sentence, become more frazzled and frayed as the film plays out. Tommy is navigating the razor's edge, trying to hold on to his mind whilst falling apart at the thought of Izzi's deterioration. The other two story lines follow both a protector of the Spanish crown in the 1500s, and a man drifting through space in the very distant future of 2500. Both male roles in those time periods are portrayed by Jackman, with the Queen played by Weisz.
Jackman was an excellent choice for the lead role[s]. His ability to navigate the choppy waters of all three time periods is an amazing feet, and he should be an early contender for a gold statue. His emotional range floored me, and moved me. Which is a sign of a great actor. There was one scene between he and Dr. Guzetti [played by the brilliant Ellen Burstyn] where I even got little choked up. Mostly it was Jackman's performance, but credit also should go to Aronofsky for making the audience completely invested in the aforementioned characters.
One of the most striking elements of The Fountain is the score. Clint Mansell brought in post-rock gods Mogwai, and also enlisted, yet again, the Kronos Quartet. The three musical forces came together to form a perfect backbone to the film. The music evoked emotion, without being too intrusive. With his score to Aronofsky's Requiem For A Dream, Mansell amped up the volume to further emphasize what was happening visually. This time 'round, he placed the lightest touches to bring home the power of the feelings at the base of the film.
The Fountain is a grand achievement in film. It melds the grand mindset of existentialism while still maintaining thoughts of a higher power. A grander scheme. All three men search for the key to ever lasting life. In that sojourn we, as the audience, are forced to think of life and all it's entailments. What is important to us? What do we make of the short amount of time we have on Earth? What is everlasting love? Some will label this film as pretentious. Others will call it heavy handed. Don't listen to those people, they're dolts. This is an important film that will most likely fly right over the heads of the mainstream. I hope I'm wrong. I hope this film makes a ton of money, but I do not have that kind of faith the wider, American audience. My hope is that I'm wrong, because people need to see this film.
Until next time:
"It’s funny how the same people who complain that Hollywood never does anything different attack when you do..." - Darren Aronofsky
while we're apart
only tears
speak from my heart
break the chains
that hold us down
and we shall be
forever bound"
The Fountain.
The Fountain is the third film from the immensely talented writer/director Darren Aronofsky. The bulk of the film centers on the story of Tommy [Hugh Jackman] and Izzi [Rachel Weisz], which is set in the year 2000. Tommy is a doctor who's wife, Izzi, is dying of a brian tumor. He is frantically searching for a cure for his wife's death sentence, become more frazzled and frayed as the film plays out. Tommy is navigating the razor's edge, trying to hold on to his mind whilst falling apart at the thought of Izzi's deterioration. The other two story lines follow both a protector of the Spanish crown in the 1500s, and a man drifting through space in the very distant future of 2500. Both male roles in those time periods are portrayed by Jackman, with the Queen played by Weisz.
Jackman was an excellent choice for the lead role[s]. His ability to navigate the choppy waters of all three time periods is an amazing feet, and he should be an early contender for a gold statue. His emotional range floored me, and moved me. Which is a sign of a great actor. There was one scene between he and Dr. Guzetti [played by the brilliant Ellen Burstyn] where I even got little choked up. Mostly it was Jackman's performance, but credit also should go to Aronofsky for making the audience completely invested in the aforementioned characters.
One of the most striking elements of The Fountain is the score. Clint Mansell brought in post-rock gods Mogwai, and also enlisted, yet again, the Kronos Quartet. The three musical forces came together to form a perfect backbone to the film. The music evoked emotion, without being too intrusive. With his score to Aronofsky's Requiem For A Dream, Mansell amped up the volume to further emphasize what was happening visually. This time 'round, he placed the lightest touches to bring home the power of the feelings at the base of the film.
The Fountain is a grand achievement in film. It melds the grand mindset of existentialism while still maintaining thoughts of a higher power. A grander scheme. All three men search for the key to ever lasting life. In that sojourn we, as the audience, are forced to think of life and all it's entailments. What is important to us? What do we make of the short amount of time we have on Earth? What is everlasting love? Some will label this film as pretentious. Others will call it heavy handed. Don't listen to those people, they're dolts. This is an important film that will most likely fly right over the heads of the mainstream. I hope I'm wrong. I hope this film makes a ton of money, but I do not have that kind of faith the wider, American audience. My hope is that I'm wrong, because people need to see this film.
Until next time:
"It’s funny how the same people who complain that Hollywood never does anything different attack when you do..." - Darren Aronofsky
posted by The Big Man | 11/23/2006 04:21:00 PM
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