Amazon.co.uk Review
Science fiction and romance collide in The Fountain, the ambitious third feature from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream), who laboured for four years to complete this epic-sized love story that stretches across centuries and galaxies. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky's real-life companion) play lovers in each of the film's three settings--16th century Europe and America (Jackman is a Spanish explorer searching for Incan magic), the present day (Jackman is a doctor attempting to cure his dying wife), and the 26th century (Jackman is a space traveller seeking a gateway to the afterlife)--who struggle mightily to stay united, only to lose each other time and again. Aronofsky may not have chosen the easiest presentation for audiences to absorb his theories on the lasting qualities of life and the transformative powers of death--the final sequence, in particular, with a bald Jackman floating through space in a bubble, harks back uncomfortably to "head movies" of the late '60s--but his leads have considerable chemistry (and look terrific to boot), which goes a long way towards securing viewers' hopes for a happy ending. Critical reception for The Fountain has been nothing short of bloodthirsty, with Cannes audiences booing, but there are elements to enjoy here, even if the premise throws one for a loop. Ellen Burstyn (who earned an Oscar nomination for Requiem for a Dream) delivers a typically solid performance as Jackman's boss in the present day sequence, and special effects (most done without the benefit of CGI) are also impressive given the film's low budget (spurred by a mid-production shutdown after original stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett ankled the picture). And science-fiction fans whose tastes run towards the metaphysical (Asimov, Le Guin) will appreciate the attempt to present the genre in a serious light. -- Paul Gaita
Customer Reviews:
A cure for insomnia.......2008-03-15
Normally I love films like this and I like Hugh Jackman but I tried three times to watch this film and never got past the first 45 minutes - it felt disjointed and was so boring I just had to give up. You will either love or hate this film - I couldn't find anything to love.....
Good.......2008-02-22
As I have read in many other reviews, A Marmite Film, love it or hate it! I enjoyed it, kind of one of those you can add your own meaning too, esentially about life, love and death, err that covers everything then, LOL. Anyway make up your own mind, but five stars from me!
The meaning of life or life without meaning?.......2008-02-18
Racheal Weisz great actress Hugh Jackman great actor sci-fi my personal favourite cant go wrong with a film like this then,be warned i nearly turned this film off something i have never done before and i have seen some real tosh in my time please take heed save your money however cheap this film is it still will never be worth it!
not for me.......2008-02-16
Tried to watch this twice. First time blamed too much wine for falling asleep. Second time just switched it off because it was so bad. Can usually watch most things even if there not my cup of tea but just could not stick with it. Recommended if you have trouble sleeping
THE FOUNTAIN.......2008-02-13
Whoever wrote the script for this was clearly on drugs, for the rest of us-who aren't-it's a mess of a movie; Avoid.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Science fiction and romance collide in The Fountain, the ambitious third feature from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream), who laboured for four years to complete this epic-sized love story that stretches across centuries and galaxies. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky's real-life companion) play lovers in each of the film's three settings--16th century Europe and America (Jackman is a Spanish explorer searching for Incan magic), the present day (Jackman is a doctor attempting to cure his dying wife), and the 26th century (Jackman is a space traveller seeking a gateway to the afterlife)--who struggle mightily to stay united, only to lose each other time and again. Aronofsky may not have chosen the easiest presentation for audiences to absorb his theories on the lasting qualities of life and the transformative powers of death--the final sequence, in particular, with a bald Jackman floating through space in a bubble, harks back uncomfortably to "head movies" of the late '60s--but his leads have considerable chemistry (and look terrific to boot), which goes a long way towards securing viewers' hopes for a happy ending. Critical reception for The Fountain has been nothing short of bloodthirsty, with Cannes audiences booing, but there are elements to enjoy here, even if the premise throws one for a loop. Ellen Burstyn (who earned an Oscar nomination for Requiem for a Dream) delivers a typically solid performance as Jackman's boss in the present day sequence, and special effects (most done without the benefit of CGI) are also impressive given the film's low budget (spurred by a mid-production shutdown after original stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett ankled the picture). And science-fiction fans whose tastes run towards the metaphysical (Asimov, Le Guin) will appreciate the attempt to present the genre in a serious light. -- Paul Gaita
Customer Reviews:
Hugely disappointing and not nearly as profound as it tries to be.......2008-01-20
Having eagerly awaited the release of this disc (since the film never played in my local cinema), I had perhaps set my expectations a little too high. I consider both 'Pi' and 'Requiem for a Dream' to be brilliant works of cinema, and I had read many glowing reviews for 'The Fountain' before seeing it, so it did have a lot to live up to.
This is a three tiered story, concerning questions of love, death, the meaning of life and the idea of immortality. We are presented with three irrevocably intertwined tales - one set in 16th Century Spain; the second set in modern, urban America; the final set in the future. That's a lot to fit into 92 minutes, I thought to myself, but if anyone can do it, Aronofsky can.
Don't get me wrong, the film succeeds on many levels, not least a visual one. The effects and the cinematography deserve a great deal of praise (the film looks stunning on Blu Ray) but this is not the kind of film to value style over substance.
As far as the substance goes, it's hit or miss. The main (modern) story is deeply moving, thanks largely to the two fine performances. We feel every bit of Hugh Jackman's anger and frustration at the world as he tries to find a way to save his dying wife, played devastatingly by Rachel Weisz.
Unfortunately, neither the dialogue or the performances during the 16th Century scenes, which see Jackman play a warrior sent on a mission to find the key to eternal life by Weisz' queen, are good enough to carry the weight of the premise. This is heavy stuff, handled a little clumsily by all concerned and, consequently, it never hits the mark.
The future segment sees Jackman sporting a Buddhist skinhead and talking to a tree. Sounds a bit silly you may think. Unfortunately, despite Jackman's best efforts, it is. It really is.
In the end, while the film poses some pretty heavy questions about the nature of man, and manages to deliver some very moving moments, it never really comes close to the greatness it strives for. Much as it pains me to say it, it really is a bit of a turkey.
See it for the stunning visuals (which are especially beautiful on Blu Ray) and for the fine performances of Jackman and Weisz in the central story (try to overlook the others), but don't set your heart on being blown away. Let's just hope Aronofsky's next film will be a return to form.
Awesome , awesome, awesome!.......2008-01-07
A beautifully told love story set over 1000 years. Don't believe other reviews that claim it's hard to understand the story...suspend disbelief and try using your brain a little bit and you'll enjoy what is surely a future classic. Plays out with Aronofsky's usual visual verve and collaborator Clint Mansell's score matches the beautiful sights on offer to create one of the most atmospheric and moving love stories for a modern generation. Essential for films lovers everywhere!
Odd........2007-06-08
I watched this film.
I was going to turn it off after the first 10 minutes, but I said No, I must watch it as I've heard good things.
2 hours later.
Hmmm....
If I didn't search on Wikipedia about this film, I'd never of know this was three lives, I thought it was modern day story about Hugh and his dying wife, whose book was in the past, and that the flying Hugh in the bubble was the modern day Hugh dreaming or tripping out.
Its well acted and the musical score is great, but the story is all over the shop.
You will need to watch this a few times, but if you really have that much time to waste, I'd consider a new hobby.
To love forever.......2007-04-04
Darren Aronofsky has never made movies that were easy viewing. Examples? Just watch "Pi" and "Requiem For a Dream," and you'll see why this underrated director has made one of the most astounding sci-fi movies in ages.
"The Fountain" is basically a sprawling tale that is half "real," half outside the mind -- love, immortality, death, grief and a tangled plotline that may take a few viewings to get right, but is exquisite in its simplicity. Not satisfied with depth, Aronofsky also makes it an absolutely stunning visual experience.
Research oncologist Tommy (Hugh Jackman) is trying to find a cancer cure by animal testing, so he can save the life of his dying wife Izzie (Rachel Weisz), including an unsanctioned test from a mysterious tree. As she hopes for a cure, Izzie has been writing a book about a Spanish conquistador who is seeking the immortality-granting Tree of Life.
As we see in other flashbacks, that conquistador is a version of Tommy (and Izzy as Queen Isabella). And far in the future, Tommy still struggles with his wife's loss, as he travels to a distant nebula to revive the tree. But as he finally gives in to his wife's last wish, he becomes enmeshed in a mysterious rebirth that stretches through the ages.
"The Fountain" got a royal whupping from critics, and was even booed by test audiences, who presumably couldn't understand the three storylines -- or rather, one non-linear storyline, in which the lines between reality and imagination are blurred. Perhaps all of it is true, or perhaps Tommy's mind is creating the 1500 and 2500 scenarios to help him cope.
As befits a movie that tackles so many deep themes, Aronofsky weaves mythology, creation beliefs, religion and the fear of death together, and binds it together with the universal theme -- love that even death can't overcome. The dialogue tends to be more spare than the story, rather than loading it down with unnecessary ponderings.
And he does it beautifully and surreally. The whole movie is tinged in gold -- gold light, gold costumes, gold Tree of Life, gold nebula, gold deserts. The camerawork is filmed poetry: there are sweet moments like planting a seed in a grave, the Tree lit by the sun, and the sight of Tommy inside the nebula. The most exquisite moment comes when Tommy kneels before Izzy, under the Tree, with drops of golden light falling around them.
This is undoubtedly Jackman's best movie, making us feel Tom's love and sorrow for Izzy ("There's no hope for us here. There is only death"), and the lifelong struggle against death. Your heart really breaks for him. Weisz is sweet and wilting as Izzy, and the chemistry between the two leads makes their time-busting love seem entirely reasonable.
Aronofsky has made a story that is pure art, exquisite in theme, and while you might have to watch "Fountain" a few times to really "get it," but you won't regret the experience. Even if you don't like it, in an era of bland popcorn movies, its ambition is worth praising.
Product Description
From Academy Award winning filmmaker Mel Gibson ("The Passion of The Christ," "Braveheart"), comes "Apocalypto": a heart stopping mythic action-adventure set against the turbulent end times of the once great Mayan civilization. When his idyllic existence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, a man is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life.
This DVD is an officially released overseas import which is Regions 1,3 & 4 coded and requires a multi region DVD player for playback. It has the original Mayan language soundtrack & English subtitles both of which can be selected from the DVD setup menu.
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