"The Fountain" is it worth it for you?

I recently watched the Darren Aronofsky/Hugh Jackman/Rachel Weisz sci-fi/love/history/dramatists film, "The Fountain." Some of us are fans of Darren Aronosky fans, loyal from "Requiem for a Dream," others fans of Hugh Jackman's work over the past four years, and Weisz has had a variety of roles as the female companion in various movies (my favorite was her in "Constant Gardener").

"Fountain" is three stories. The first is the acting out of a historical-fiction story written by different characters in the film. It is of a conqueror seekinging the Mayan tree of life for the Queen of Spain. The second is a doctor dealing with his semi-neglected wife's terminal illness. The third is either psychological or religious symbols of what the men in the first two (all played by Jackman) are going thru. The third man sits with the tree of life as it flies thru space, having flashbacks of the previous two men's lives. Take that to mean whatever you will.

If you're going becuase of the names of the people mentioned above, you may be in for a surprise. "Fountain" is not "Requiem," it's not Jackman like you usually see him, and Weisz accomponies the role of Jackman's motivation. The movie is what you make of it, and if you try to make it a date movie, you won't make it much. Jackman's light neglecting and inability to cope with his wife's mortality are hardly romantic features that will make you and your date depressed over feeling good.

Aside from that, the stories connect if you believe they do. You can take it as three stories, or as interlinked pyschology of Jackman's character(s). The symbol of the tree of life (the entire third story) is either religious or psychological if you believe it is. You'll have to think, but the film is, more or less, what you think.

If you're heavy into symbols and acting, this may be for you. It's more about confronting mortality than anything. You probably won't walk away saying that's a good story, but rather talking to your friends about what it means, and if that part was good. I'd suggest it to theater majors, who would get much out of a well-developed Jackman character in the second story. I'd also suggest it to those into spiritality, who'd develop their interpretations on the third story. I wouldn't suggest it for romantics, as it's sci-fi and other themes strongly protude over the romantic story. I wouldn't suggest it for those interested in the historical/epic part as the Spanish conquerings of the Mayan temple are kept simple and far between.

Overall, my rating is 6.5 out of 10. The unique feel comes at the cost of making the view feel lost. It's great, if you think for yourself, and you'll have to do plenty of thinking to get a full appreciation for the movie. And while I'm tired of movies that don't require any thinking, this left me bored towards the end. The movie is a love/hate movie. You either love it, or hate it. However, unlike "Donnie Darko" and other films of love/hart opinions, this doesn't appeal to as many on the love-side. While "Donnie Darko" has a broad appeal with many interpretations, I don't see "Fountain" having as broad of an appeal while still having many interpretations.

My advice, if this still sounds like the film for you, rent it or borrow it. Don't see it with a date. See it with people of the same interest who love to have conversations about the meaning of films. This limits who you can see it with, and what you'll enjoy. Hence a low rating for what is one of the better films: it's just not something we really want to watch.

Thanks,
RTG