Interesting enough concept, not sure about the execution. I thought the story could have been fleshed out a little more. I won't knock anybody who comes up with an original movie idea, but I think Aronofsky compensated for having a somewhat thin plot by being needlessly enigmatic.
I loved the concept behind the movie, but I thought that it completely failed in its execution. There were just too many pretentious, melodramatic moments that took away from the fantastic idea that was trying to be conveyed.
Of course, that's just my opinion. Looking at the rating on imdb and the comments, it seems like most enjoyed the film. I guess it just wasn't for me :/
In German we have a word for a movie like this, "plump" - the various translations for it in English paint the right picture: clumsy, ungainly, dumpy, heavy-handed. How could anyone have read the script and thought "this is daring and philosophical" - because it feels more like a seventh grader heard about religion for the first time while simultaneously reading Orlando.
In addition, it looks very cheap. Like someone tried to make a movie out of the music videos for R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion and Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box.
The Fountain is the forgotten Darren Aronofsky film, the one he made between Requiem for a Dream and The Wrestler, and that I didn't even know existed until a few weeks ago. It stars Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz and takes place in three time frames/realities, each telling the same story through different elements/metaphors. In the near future (as played by Montreal), Jackman's character is a scientist trying to find a cure for the tumor that's threatening his wife's life; Weisz has accepted that she's dying, and wants him to finish the book she started writing after she's gone. In the past, Jackman is a conquistador who goes to the Mayan Empire to find the fabled Tree of Life on orders from Weisz's Spanish queen. In the future, Jackman is in a bubble floating in space, tending to the dying Tree of Life. Are the latter two simply tales from Weisz's novel, or is the book a retelling of their own "immortal" lives? The movie trailer makes it seem like the latter, but the film is far more ambiguous. That said, the artiness of this tragic story does create obstacles to the audience's capacity to emotionally connect with it. The present is emotional, but the past is a little hard to get into, and the future a real head trip like something out of Jodorowsky's Holy Mountain. It'll work for some, but not for others. For my part, I connected with it intellectually because of the correspondences between the time frames, and the overall puzzle of its structure.
Visually stunning, if otherwise sloppy in places. The final scene, however, both astounded and terrified me. Well worth watching, I would argue, if only for that. Might it be "over the top" in some regards? Yes. But Clint Mansell's score requires a little "over the top", that's what makes it so powerful.
Evidently loathed and loved in equal measure. But even if one wants to criticize the non-linearity or complexity of the story, or the perceived "pretentiousness" of the film, it remains a truly beautiful piece of art.
EDIT: also impressed that the special effects were done by micro-photography rather than CGI (as I believe was the case in 2001).
such a great, intense movie. it makes me sad that so many people don't even feel anything when they see the movie. there's so much happening, there're so many details, for example the play with the light/darkness. when i saw the movie the first time i was younger, not so open minded, i just started to learn how to see things right, how to feel. i didn't understand it immediately, but felt that something? happened to me. this movie, what and the way it tells, everything, it changed me and gave me so much.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 48
the3rdman
Interesting enough concept, not sure about the execution. I thought the story could have been fleshed out a little more. I won't knock anybody who comes up with an original movie idea, but I think Aronofsky compensated for having a somewhat thin plot by being needlessly enigmatic.Woliver
I didn't dislike it, bit definetly doesn't deserves to be between the 100 greatest sci-fi movies.arborealist
I loved the concept behind the movie, but I thought that it completely failed in its execution. There were just too many pretentious, melodramatic moments that took away from the fantastic idea that was trying to be conveyed.Of course, that's just my opinion. Looking at the rating on imdb and the comments, it seems like most enjoyed the film. I guess it just wasn't for me :/
kaaaaaro
In German we have a word for a movie like this, "plump" - the various translations for it in English paint the right picture: clumsy, ungainly, dumpy, heavy-handed. How could anyone have read the script and thought "this is daring and philosophical" - because it feels more like a seventh grader heard about religion for the first time while simultaneously reading Orlando.In addition, it looks very cheap. Like someone tried to make a movie out of the music videos for R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion and Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box.
davedg
This movie hit me right in the feelsCoffinDancr
I really wanted to love this film, but found it very emotionally unengaging. I'll need to watch it again with no expectations getting in the way.TheBanana
This movie tries so hard to be a masterpiece. However, that is the reason why it fails. Still good, though.shaveen
What a mess it was..Siskoid
The Fountain is the forgotten Darren Aronofsky film, the one he made between Requiem for a Dream and The Wrestler, and that I didn't even know existed until a few weeks ago. It stars Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz and takes place in three time frames/realities, each telling the same story through different elements/metaphors. In the near future (as played by Montreal), Jackman's character is a scientist trying to find a cure for the tumor that's threatening his wife's life; Weisz has accepted that she's dying, and wants him to finish the book she started writing after she's gone. In the past, Jackman is a conquistador who goes to the Mayan Empire to find the fabled Tree of Life on orders from Weisz's Spanish queen. In the future, Jackman is in a bubble floating in space, tending to the dying Tree of Life. Are the latter two simply tales from Weisz's novel, or is the book a retelling of their own "immortal" lives? The movie trailer makes it seem like the latter, but the film is far more ambiguous. That said, the artiness of this tragic story does create obstacles to the audience's capacity to emotionally connect with it. The present is emotional, but the past is a little hard to get into, and the future a real head trip like something out of Jodorowsky's Holy Mountain. It'll work for some, but not for others. For my part, I connected with it intellectually because of the correspondences between the time frames, and the overall puzzle of its structure.dpanter
This movie is 96 minutes too long. Fails to engage.dorkusmalorkus
Visually stunning, if otherwise sloppy in places. The final scene, however, both astounded and terrified me. Well worth watching, I would argue, if only for that. Might it be "over the top" in some regards? Yes. But Clint Mansell's score requires a little "over the top", that's what makes it so powerful.dchauvin
Evidently loathed and loved in equal measure. But even if one wants to criticize the non-linearity or complexity of the story, or the perceived "pretentiousness" of the film, it remains a truly beautiful piece of art.EDIT: also impressed that the special effects were done by micro-photography rather than CGI (as I believe was the case in 2001).
Cassiodoro
What a mess...trueblue87
Fell in love with the movie. Music is beautiful to say the least. Adds another dimension to the whole movie. Surely I'm watching it again!Shaav
such a great, intense movie. it makes me sad that so many people don't even feel anything when they see the movie. there's so much happening, there're so many details, for example the play with the light/darkness. when i saw the movie the first time i was younger, not so open minded, i just started to learn how to see things right, how to feel. i didn't understand it immediately, but felt that something? happened to me. this movie, what and the way it tells, everything, it changed me and gave me so much.Showing items 1 – 15 of 48