Yatterings

I’ve been waiting to watch The Fountain on DVD as it is one of those films that deserves watching again and again.

Once again, Darren Aronofsky has delivered an extremely thoughful film which is so elegant in its simplicity yet complex underneath. I’m not entirely sure how one approaches it: is it quest fantasy? Is it zen? Is it simple? Is it as complex as a DNA model - three spirals with strands linking across and connecting them? Well yes, all of the above.

The story concerns two characters - Tom and Izzi - who meet in three separate times: Inquisition Spain, contemporary Australia and somewhere in the future. Each narrative follows the same pattern but simultaneously they build on each other and extend the story. Underneath this all is the Mayan myth concerning the Tree of Life. Whilst this is happening, Australian Tom is struggling to complete his Izzi’s book, The Fountain.

Underneath it all is a simple fable of love, death and life but the heart felt way in which this film has been put together makes it personal. This is a labour of love and the love shows through. Perhaps its depth makes it so draining to watch and yet you know that there are things to be rediscovered. Its emotionally and visually intense.

The fact that this film even exists has to be his greatest achievement so far, a story about which Wired magazine has a great article. This film marks a return to classic sf films such as 2001 which dare to reimagine the human race a part of something larger and also eschewed large amounts of CGI effects. Story overtakes flash bang for the director and a better film is delivered to the viewer. Aronofsky is a singular director with a singular vision  - just lie back, go with the flow and all will become apparent.

technorati tags:fountain, sf, films, darren aronofsky