Containing three narratives, The Fountain is the story of conquistador Tomas (Jackman) and his search for the Tree of Life for Queen Isabel (Weisz) in the 16th century, scientist Tommy and his search for a cure for his wife Izzi's cancer, and Tom, a space faring man in the year 2500 who travels in a bubble containing a tree that represents his lost love as he attempts to reach a golden nebula. Jackman and Weisz play all five of these characters.
It is never made clear which, if any or all, of these narratives are fact or fiction. They are all clearly intertwined, but whether that is because they exist in the imagination or memories, or past of the characters is never made concretely clear. The plot is secondary to the theme of death and life with the movie really being about that concept more than a linear story. As is true of any Aronofsky film that I am familiar with, visuals and music play an extraordinarily large part in the film, illustrating ideas more clearly and conceptually than simple exposition would be able to.
This movie is closer to a painting or a poem than a movie. Beautiful in parts, open to interpretation, and unclear as to what it's true meaning is. It could have been better, I think, if at least Aronofsky's meaning was made a little clearer, but a unique experience nonetheless.
*** (3/5 stars)
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