Confused tales frame 'The Fountain'

By ROBERT DENERSTEIN
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
If you're looking to be sprayed by enough cosmic confusion to fuel a thousand late-night dorm debates, "The Fountain" just might be the best movie you'll see this year.

If, on the other hand, you prefer movies that deal with ideas in coherent ways, you may find yourself gravely disappointed, particularly because this film is the work of director Darren Aronofsky, who has made such feverishly compelling movies as "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream."

It's not always easy to tell, but it seems as if Aronofsky intends "The Fountain" as a kind of cautionary tale in which a present-day biological researcher (Hugh Jackman) frantically attempts to conquer death. His motivation: His wife (Rachel Weisz) is dying of an inoperable brain tumor.

That alone would be sufficient grist for any filmmaker's mill, but Aronofsky, who eschews simple storytelling, shatters his cockeyed narrative into two additional stories that revolve around his central idea _ beating back the reaper.

In one, a 16th century conquistador named Tomas (also Jackman) tries to find the fountain of youth at the behest of Queen Isabel (also Weisz). The third, and trippiest segment, takes place in space during the 26th century: A bald, monkish-looking man (Jackman again) travels in what looks like the globe of a snow dome. He's apparently trying to find eternal life at the heart of the Xibalba nebula.

Hey, I told you it was trippy.

Those familiar with Aronofsky won't be surprised to learn that he concocts some interesting imagery, particularly in the spaced-out sequences that take place in Jackman's space bubble. The scenes involving Tomas, the conquistador, tend to be so dimly lit that they're often illegible. Scenes involving scientific research are better, perhaps because they're augmented by Jackman's unblinking avidity.

The meaning of "The Fountain" _ "multiple meanings" might be the better term _ are open to speculation, but the movie is too diffuse to be taken as seriously as must have been intended. I know someone who told me the movie's central love story made her weep, but my tears had more to do with disappointment _ I've been a big Aronofsky fan.

The three segments don't fit together particularly well, and although Jackman communicates the desperation of a man in a race with time, there's nothing distinguished about any of the other performances. As Queen Isabel of Spain, Weisz seems freeze-dried: She's been given a fairy princess look. Ellen Burstyn, who was terrific in "Requiem," shows up briefly as the biologist's supervisor.

I'm guessing Aronofsky was trying for symphonic grandeur, and some of his imagery achieves it, but the movie's whole conception seems flawed. "The Fountain" may be a great reach of a movie, but in the end it leaves us grasping at air.

Grade: D+

Rating: PG-13

Running time: 96 minutes