More Everything!

I watched ‘The Fountain’ the first time on plane, coming home from a trip to Europe in the Summer of 2007. If I recall correctly, I watched it on one of those little seat-back screens on a Virgin Atlantic flight. I remember being really moved by the story and really wanting to see it on a bigger screen. So I am not sure why that after buying the film on disc, it stayed sealed in cellophane, on my shelf until last night, when I finally tore open the package.

The story of ‘The Fountain’, is a little heavy handed. It uses a multiple narrative structure, that even once you figure out what is what, still seems rather contrived. The bulk of the film follows a cancer scientist, played be Hugh Jackman, who is rushing to find a way to shrink brain tumors; who just happens to be married to Izzy, played by Rachel Weisz, who is dying from a brain tumor. There are two other (or maybe one other, that is split into two) narratives that play out. One taking place in the Grand Inquisition time-period and another, thousands of years in the future.

I sort of get what writer/director Darren Aronofsky is trying to say about death and life, but I really think the script could have used another few polishing drafts. I am so curious what it could have ended up as, if he had someone else try to tie things together a little more cohesively. The film is only 95 minutes, so there is room for more!

I will say, though, that the visual canvas that Aronofsky and cinematographer Matthew Libatique create is mesmerizing. THe entire film seems to consist only of White, Black and Gold, yet it still feels rich and bold.

Finally, I will say that the on-screen chemistry between Jackman and Rachel Weisz who plays, Izzy, is sooo believable, that I give Arronofsy (who is Weisz’s husband) a lot of credit for filming that bath-tub scene (you’ll just have to watch it to see what I mean). After that, no one will ever say he didn’t suffer for his art.

Since I have only watched this film, once since I bought it. I think I am making the right choice and keeping this in the discard pile!