The Fountain

2006

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Composer: Clint Mansell

Distributor: Warner Brothers / Fox Movies

Key Elements: Visuals – Concept – Symbolism – Music

My Review:

Darren Aronofsky’s movies are often about obsession. Obsession with numbers in Pi. Obsession with drugs in Requiem for a Dream. In this movie, a man is obsessed with overcoming death.

The film’s title is a reference to the fountain of youth. Tommy’s wife Izzy is dying of cancer. But while Izzy, a writer, comes to terms with her end, Tommy, a drug researcher, refuses to give up on finding a way to save her.

The movie is dazzling as it jumps back and forth within three different period settings. The most stunning of which is a futuristic space journey. But the space shots weren’t done with CG technology. They are marco-photographs of fluid dynamics – giving the viewer a sence of traveling into the infinite.

The climax is heightened as these photographic techniques combine with Manell’s score. Tommy, essentially, gives his life to Izzy in the end – a definite illustration of the gospel.
A beautiful, beautiful movie.

Interesting note: When production of the movie was delayed, Aronofsky released the story in the form of a graphic novel.

clip (Spoiler):



Quotes:

• Every shadow no matter how deep is threatened by morning light.
• All right, I trust you. Take me. Show me.
• My conquistador! Always conquering...
• They planted a seed over his grave. The seed became a tree. Moses said his father became a part of that tree. He grew into the wood, into the bloom. And when a sparrow ate the tree's fruit, his father flew with the birds. He said... death was his father's road to awe. That's what he called it. The road to awe.
• Death is a disease. There is a cure, and I will find it.
• Together we will live forever.
• All these years, all these memories, there was you. You pull me through time.

Stills: