The Fountain: A Successful Failure
“The Fountain,” director Darren Aronofsky’s first film in six years, will not achieve the critical success his earlier films “Pi” (1998) and “Requiem for a Dream” (2000) did. However, as a failure it is more interesting than most of this year’s successes.
“The Fountain” chronicles three different storylines set in three different time periods. It begins in the 21st century with drug researcher Tommy Creo (Hugh Jackman) who is desperately seeking a cure for the inoperable brain tumor killing his wife Izzy Creo (Rachel Weisz). As part of her preparation for her impending death, Izzy is writing a novel about the search for the Tree of Life. Set in the 16th century, Queen Isabella sends a conquistador to New Spain in search of it. The film also jumps ahead 1000 years to the 26th century where Tommy is a Zen astronaut flying in a bubble with a dying tree on his way to a nebula.
The plot of this science-fiction historical adventure-fantasy seems silly and in every film festival from Toronto to Venice — where it was booed — “The Fountain” has been called ridiculous, as well as audacious.
However, there is nothing silly about the film’s earnestness and intensity. The film does overreach, trying to cram all of the director’s thoughts and feelings about life, death and filmmaking into a single 90-minute epic. But even when you fall short reaching for the stars, the outcome can still be spectacular.
Though “The Fountain’s” complexity makes for muddled viewing at best, it is more fun to watch a director reach for the stars than it is to see him sit back and play it safe. Besides, all of the elements of a great film are present in “The Fountain,” from Tommy’s compelling struggle to face the incontrovertible fact of death, to the amazing cinematography and special effects to the Oscar worthy original score and finally to the captivating performances of Jackman and Weisz.
If you are only familiar with Jackman as the clawed superhero Wolverine, then you will be surprised by the depth and range he displayed in “The Fountain.” In this film Jackman proved his intensity is readily applied in more than one limited direction. He is more than worthy of the title “actor.” And, of course, Weisz once again delivered a stellar performance as the beautiful dying flower Izzy.
However, this film’s strongest element has to be its delightful musical score. The sound of this film drove the action and elicited more emotion than any other element. The cinematography and the special effects of “The Fountain” made it easy on the eyes, but the music was even easier on the ears. Of all the films this year, “The Fountain” deserves to stand on the Oscar podium and accept the Academy Award for Best Original Score. The music did more than just support the action of “The Fountain.” Without its driving musical force the film would have been only half as compelling and interesting. The music was an integral part of the film’s success, not just window dressing slapped on at the last minute. That is what deserves the title Best Original Score. Think of the original “Star Wars” series. John Williams’ music was half the heart of the films, without it “Star Wars” would not have achieved the success it has.
Though “The Fountain” is unlikely to earn the critical and audience acclaim it needs to garner Oscar success, it is not a film to be missed. Few films achieve such interesting results in the midst or critical failure. Though if you are more of a mainstream moviegoer, perhaps you should rent the DVD so you are not disappointed by the director’s artsy approach to filmmaking.