The Fountain

The Fountain was directed by Darren Aronofsky and starred Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, and Ellen Burtsyn.

The movie meshes three parallel stories that present the same dilemma—the death of a loved one. Jackman and Weisz play opposite one another through three different time periods: During the 16th century as the conquistador (Thomas) sent on a search for the tree of life by the queen of Spain. Through present day as a scientist (Tommy) determined to find a cure for the cancer killing is wife, Isabel. And through the 26th century as the astronaut/holy man Tom tries to save the tree of life.

Each period presents the reader with a different feeling of the time and characters. The 16th century story is presented in the highly romanticized way people often view the past. The costumes are elaborate and the settings filled with shadows and secrecy. The colors in this time are saturated reds and golds that enhance the feelings of grandeur the viewer experiences. The characters are also romanticized in the form of a humble conquistador who loves his country and queen and will do anything she requests in an effort to save both.

Flip over to present day and Tommy (the scientist) is trying desperately to find a cure for the cancer killing Isabel. The colors in these scenes are muted and plain reflective of how most individuals view their lives in the present. As humans we see grandeur in the past or the future, but rarely is it experienced during the time period we actually spend on this planet. At least it's rarely experienced in a recognizable way.

As we view Tom, the astronaut, floating in a 26th century bubble the colors have changed so our eyes and minds are enthralled by the images we see on the screen. It is during this time period Tom begins to reflect on the experiences and missions of his past lives and fully begins to understand the importance of letting go.

It is almost impossible to look at this movie as three separate stories. The time periods are woven into one another as a tapestry of thought, feeling, and experience. The viewer is presented with the same problem three ways but doesn't realize it until the end.

Ultimately it is a story about learning to let go and accepting death, once that happens it paves the way for Thomas/Tommy/Tom to move on. The character played by Rachel Weisz accepts her inevitable death during the movie. The remainder of the film is spent teaching Thomas/Tommy/Tom to accept and deal with this inevitability.

The ending or the movie, shows the acceptance learned by both Tommy and Tom. Thomas on the other hand continues his search for the tree of life, succeeds in finding it and becomes part of it. An appropriate ending because a conquistador would never accept defeat and as a result would never be able to let go of his queen.

Regardless of the mediocre ratings this movie received at the hands of the critiques I think it is a brilliant film definitely worth taking the time to watch. The images are beautiful and the story is complicated enough to keep you thinking through the entire movie.