

Fast-Paised review: 'The Fountain'

In writer-director Darren Aronofsky's first movie since 2000's "Requiem for a Dream," Tommy (Hugh Jackman) is a surgeon confronting the impending death of his wife, Izzi (Aronofsky's real-life fiancee Rachel Weisz). The two actors play characters 500 years in the past and future as well, also dealing with love, death and the search for eternal life.

Big question: Can Aronofsky's visuals surprise us yet again? Does the pretentious storyline of "The Fountain" hold together?

Skip it: The time-shifting plots are all over the place, and none of the imagery--giant trees, orbs floating in space, stuff like that--amazes you like so many sequences in "Requiem." But while the narrative is unbelievably flawed, at least it's clear Aronofsky's creative well hasn't gone dry.

Catch it: If you aspire to be a monkey brain surgeon. (Jackman's present-day character is dedicated to the craft.) What other movie will give you pointers?

Bottom line: Jackman's performance sometimes pulls you in, but "The Fountain" is too fragmented to become the mind-blowing movie Aronofsky wants to make about how finding true love is the real way to live forever. The ending borders on parody, and if there's a wavelength you can ride to feel touched and enlightened by "The Fountain," it appears to have skipped my stop.

Bonus: Stop taking public transportation. Giant floating orbs are lighter and faster--and smell a lot better!

Matt Pais is the metromix movies producer.


'The Fountain'

Directed and written by Darren Aronofsky; photographed by Matthew Libatique; edited by Jay Rabinowitz; production designed by James Chinlund; music by Clint Mansell; produced by Eric Watson, Arnon Milchan, Iain Smith. A Warner Bros. Pictures & Regency Enterprises release; opens Wednesday. Running time: 1:36. MPAA rating: PG-13 (for some intense sequences of violent action, come sensuality and language).

Tomas/Tommy/Tom Creo - Hugh Jackman

Isabel/Izzi Creo - Rachel Weisz

Dr. Lillian Guzetti - Ellen Burstyn

Father Avila - Mark Margolis

Grand Inquisitor Silecio - Stephen McHattie

Captain Ariel - Cliff Curtis

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