Fountain, The (2006, USA) C-97m. **½ D: Darren Aronofsky. Starring Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn, Mark Margolis, Stephen McHattie, Fernando Hernandez, Cliff Curtis, Sean Patrick Thomas. Richly symbolic drama about research scientist Jackman, whose troubled, sick wife Weisz has just completed a novel about the Mayan culture and Spanish conquistadors. The novel is also related in this film, with Jackman and Weisz taking up key roles. In a third plot strand, a bald Jackman is floating in space, living under a seemingly alive tree in a huge sphere. Visually arresting, beautifully scored drama whose success will depend on how you can relate to it. The overall theme is a bit downbeat and depressing. From the director of PI (1998) and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000).


© Ron Altman