The Fountain (2006)

Last updated:
October 9, 2024

The Fountain is a visually stunning and deeply philosophical film directed by Darren Aronofsky. It weaves together three distinct timelines to tell a story about love, life, death, and the quest for eternal life. It stars Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz in roles that traverse time and space, mixing elements of historical drama, science fiction, and fantasy.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Three Timelines, One Story

The narrative is structured around three interwoven stories:

The Past: Set in the 16th century, Spanish conquistador Tomas (Hugh Jackman) embarks on a quest for the Tree of Life on behalf of Queen Isabel (Rachel Weisz), believing it will save Spain from the Inquisition.
The Present: In modern times, scientist Tommy Creo (also Jackman) is desperately searching for a cure for his wife Izzi’s (also Weisz) terminal illness, cancer. His research focuses on a mysterious tree with supposed regenerative properties.
The Future: In a mystical, abstract future, a space-traveling version of Tom (again, Jackman) is seen journeying towards a dying star inside a bubble-like spaceship, accompanied by a tree symbolizing his eternal love for Izzi.

Each timeline reflects different aspects of the same quest—the search for eternal life and the fear of death.

The Conquistador’s Quest for the Tree of Life

In the past, Tomas is tasked by Queen Isabel with finding the Tree of Life, the mythical source of immortality. Isabel believes that the Tree’s power will save Spain and allow them to resist the oppressive forces of the Inquisition. Tomas’s journey is filled with dangers, but his love for the Queen drives him forward. This storyline draws parallels to themes of sacrifice and faith, as Tomas pushes beyond human limits in search of eternal life.

Tommy’s Desperate Search for a Cure

In the present timeline, Tommy is a scientist struggling to find a cure for his wife Izzi, who is suffering from terminal cancer. He becomes obsessed with his work, distancing himself emotionally from Izzi, who accepts her fate and embraces the idea of death as a natural part of life. Izzi is also writing a book about Queen Isabel and the Tree of Life, blending the historical and fictional narratives together. She urges Tommy to finish the book when she is gone, symbolizing his need to accept mortality.

The Future: A Metaphysical Journey

In the future timeline, Tom is a bald, monk-like figure floating in space with a tree (representing Izzi) as his companion. He is journeying to a dying star, Xibalba, a Mayan underworld and symbol of rebirth. His spiritual quest in this cosmic bubble reflects the final stages of his journey—coming to terms with death and the cyclical nature of life and death. This storyline is the most abstract, emphasizing the philosophical core of the movie.

The Emotional Climax: Tommy’s Revelation

As these stories unfold, Tommy realizes that his relentless quest to “save” Izzi, whether as Tomas in the past or Tommy in the present, has been futile. Izzi’s death is inevitable, and the true challenge lies in accepting mortality, not escaping it. The climax of the film converges all three timelines into one emotional realization that love and death are part of the same eternal cycle, symbolized by the cosmic rebirth in Xibalba.

Movie Ending

The ending of The Fountain is open to interpretation, but it brings all three timelines to a moment of catharsis. In the past, Tomas drinks from the Tree of Life, only to realize that immortality comes at a cost—his body disintegrates into flowers. In the present, Tommy accepts Izzi’s death and lets go of his obsessive quest to conquer death. In the future, Tom reaches Xibalba, where both he and the tree “die,” leading to the star’s rebirth.

This cyclical concept of life and death, symbolized by the dying star being reborn, represents the film’s core message: that death is not the end but a transformation, a necessary part of the eternal cycle of existence.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in The Fountain. The film concludes with its profound and ambiguous ending, allowing the audience to reflect on its themes. There’s no hint of a sequel or any additional scenes after the credits.

Type of Movie

The Fountain is a sci-fi drama with strong elements of fantasy, romance, and philosophical inquiry. Its non-linear narrative and spiritual undertones make it a thought-provoking, metaphysical journey rather than a traditional science fiction film.

Cast

Hugh Jackman as Tomas / Tom / Tommy
Rachel Weisz as Queen Isabel / Izzi Creo
Ellen Burstyn as Dr. Lillian Guzetti
Mark Margolis as Father Avila
Stephen McHattie as Grand Inquisitor Silecio

Film Music and Composer

The film’s haunting score was composed by Clint Mansell, known for his atmospheric and emotive work in films like Requiem for a Dream. The music was performed by the Kronos Quartet and post-rock band Mogwai, adding to the film’s ethereal, otherworldly feel. Mansell’s score is considered a key element of the film’s emotional impact.

Filming Locations

The Fountain was shot primarily in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with various studio locations used to create the film’s distinct visual styles. The scenes set in the future were filmed using macro photography to capture natural textures like water and light, instead of relying on CGI. This created a visually unique style that stands out from typical sci-fi films.

Awards and Nominations

While The Fountain was not a major awards contender, it did receive recognition for its visuals and score. Some notable nominations include:

Golden Globe Nomination for Best Original Score (Clint Mansell)
Saturn Award Nomination for Best Director (Darren Aronofsky)

The film has since developed a cult following, especially for its ambitious storytelling and philosophical depth.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The film had a notoriously difficult production. Originally budgeted at $70 million with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett attached, it was shelved when Pitt left the project. Aronofsky eventually reworked the script and reduced the budget to $35 million.
Hugh Jackman shaved his head for the role of future Tom to avoid relying on CGI for his character’s bald look.
The film’s cosmic visuals were achieved using practical effects, like photographing chemicals and microorganisms, rather than digital effects.

Inspirations and References

The Fountain draws inspiration from various sources, including:

Mayan mythology, particularly the idea of Xibalba, a star believed to be the gateway to the afterlife.
Philosophical texts on life, death, and eternity, including works by Carl Jung and Buddhist teachings.
The film’s cyclical structure reflects the eternal return concept found in various spiritual traditions.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely known alternate endings, but the film did undergo significant rewrites during its troubled production phase. Originally, the film’s scope was much larger, with a different focus on the historical and futuristic elements.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Darren Aronofsky co-wrote a graphic novel adaptation of The Fountain with artist Kent Williams. The graphic novel expands on the film’s themes and visuals but remains faithful to the movie’s core story. It serves as a companion piece rather than an alternative version.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Tomas reaching the Tree of Life and experiencing its power.
Tommy’s final moments with Izzi as she embraces death.
Tom’s journey towards Xibalba, visually stunning and spiritually charged.

Iconic Quotes

Izzi: “Death is the road to awe.”
Tommy: “I’m not afraid anymore.”
Tom: “Together we will live forever.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The tree motif appears throughout the film, symbolizing life, death, and rebirth.
Izzi’s book reflects the historical timeline of the movie, connecting her story to Queen Isabel’s quest.
Xibalba, in Mayan mythology, is a place of death and rebirth, which aligns with the film’s themes of cyclical existence.

Trivia

Hugh Jackman said his performance in The Fountain was one of the most challenging and rewarding of his career.
The futuristic scenes were filmed using practical effects, with Aronofsky wanting to avoid CGI where possible.
Aronofsky spent six years developing the film, fighting numerous production challenges along the way.

Why Watch?

The Fountain is a visually and emotionally rich film that explores profound themes of love, life, and death. Its unique storytelling structure and philosophical depth make it a thought-provoking experience for viewers who enjoy films that challenge conventional narrative forms.