Film Review: THE FOUNTAIN (2006)

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Writers: Darren Aronofsky (Screenplay/Story), Ari Handel, (Story)
Running time: 92 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Romance/Sci-Fi
USA Release date: 26^th January 2007

Watched on DVD Saturday 29^th September 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having a look around the internet it looks like this film has divided opinion all over the place. I have to say I liked it; beautifully made with an astonishing arc of a story that stretches hundreds of years and billions of miles. Aronofsky has made some great films in recent years; ‘The Wrestler’ and ‘Black Swan’ to name but two; and I find his work always challenging to watch. He doesn’t treat the audience like idiots and I appreciate that; so few are prepared to take that risk these days. Hopefully it’s a sign that things may be on the change. But I digress, here’s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

We begin with Tomas, a Spanish Conquistador in the 16^th Century searching for a Mayan temple that holds the Tree of Life. Then we have a research Scientist; Tommy Creo searching for a cure for the brain tumour his wife Izzi is suffering from. Then there’s an astronaut, Tom, in the far future who is travelling in a clear bubble that contains a dying tree. He is approaching his destination, a nebula that could release him from the long life he has suffered. All these stories are interlinked with the backbone of the plot being that of Tommy and Izzi. It seems that a story written by Izzi about a Spanish Queen and the soldier she sent to search for the Tree of Life needs an ending… I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police (Aronofsky Division) will be confusing me with even more daring and complex plots.

Beautifully shot with some stunning images. I wasn’t sure about the muted tones used at first but as the film went on it grew on me. The musical score by Clint Mansell was both beautiful and inspired; I will be tracking it down. The performances of the two central characters; Hugh Jackman as Tomas / Tommy / Tom Creo and Rachel Weisz as Isabel / Izzi Creo were stunning; Aronofsky certainly knows how to get a performance and they didn’t let him down. I also have to give honourable mentions to; Ellen Burstyn as Dr. Lillian Guzetti, Mark Margolis as Father Avila, Stephen McHattie as Grand Inquisitor Silecio and Fernando Hernandez as Lord of Xibalba.

I have to admit this is the second time I’ve seen this one and it’s one of those that gets better each time you see it. There are so many nuances and plot devices that it can be quite a hard one to get a handle on first time around. That’s probably one of the reasons it has divided opinion so much. The three threads of the story seem so remote at first but as you watch it all gradually pulls together. For me it is just the right length, any longer and it might have become a little tedious. I know there are many out there that didn’t like if first time around; to you I say; give it another chance… try to watch it with an open mind. It is slow-paced deliberately to allow the audience time to assimilate the story. If you’re watching it for the first time on my recommendation, then be prepared to give it a second viewing; you may not get it all first time around.

SteelMonster’s verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My score: 8.1/10

IMDb Score: 7.3/10 (based on 119,092 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0414993/

MetaScore: 51/100: (Based on 36 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 51/100 (based on 194 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 73/100 ‘Liked It’ (based on 234,155 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_fountain/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
[first title card]: Therefore, the Lord God banished Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden and placed a flaming sword to protect the tree of life. - Genesis 3:24

Tom Creo: What are you doing here?
Izzi: Take a walk with me.
Tom Creo: I have too much work.
Izzi: It's the first snow, we always...
Tom Creo: [interrupting] They're waiting on me.
Izzi: Come on Tommy...
Tom Creo: Please, Izzi!
[softens]
Tom Creo: I'm sorry. I am.
[Izzi walks out]
Tom Creo: I'll see you tonight, OK?

Isabel: Kneel, Conquistador.
[Tomas kneels before her]
Isabel: Let in the morning light.
[the doors are opened; light floods into the hall]
Isabel: The beast runs amok in my kingdom. He has isolated me, and now he is sharpening his talons for one more fateful push. But salvation lies in the jungles of New Spain. Will you deliver Spain from bondage?

Tom Creo: Death is a disease, it's like any other. And there's a cure. A cure - and I will find it.

Tom Creo: There you are.
Izzi: Hey, what are you doing here?
Tom Creo: Babe we have a
[inaudible]
Tom Creo: at three.
Izzi: This is an actual Mayan book. It explains the Creation myth. You see that's first father. He's the very first human.
Tom Creo: Hum. Is he dead?
Izzi: He sacrificed himself to make the world.
[pause]
Izzi: That's the tree of life bursting out of his stomach.
Tom Creo: Hey come.
Izzi: Listen. His body became the trees' roots. They spread and formed the earth. His soul became the branches rising up forming the sky. All the remained is first father's head. His children hung in the heavens creating Xibalba.
Tom Creo: Xibalba. The star, eh,
[corrects himself]
Tom Creo: nebula
Izzi: So what do you think?
Izzi: About?
Izzi: That idea. Death as an act of creation.
Tom Creo: [looks away, withdrawing] I'll pull out the car and meet you out front.

[last lines]
Tom Creo: I finished it.
Izzi: Is everything all right?
Tom Creo: Yes. Everything's all right.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://pdl.warnerbros.com/wbmovies/thefountain/flashsite/index.html
Trailer:

Film Review: THE EXORCIST (1973)

Director: William Friedkin
Writer: William Peter Blatty (written for the screen by/novel)
Running time: 122 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

Genre: Horror/Thriller
UK Release date: 16^th March 1974

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 27^th May 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I remember seeing this film many many years ago on VHS. At the time I liked it but didn’t think it was as good as everyone made out. Well much time has passed since then and I thought it was about time to give it another look. I must say I enjoyed it much more as a piece of filmmaking this time and I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know I can now see just what everyone was raving about. I will give you more of my thoughts after this very brief summary.

When Regan MacNeil, daughter of the well known actress Chris McNeil, becomes possessed by a demon, her mother looks for a rational explanation. Medical science does not seem to have an answer and so they suggest an Exorcism may help. As Regan was taken over by the demon she had performed some horrific acts, including a murder which was investigated by Lt. William Kinderman. She had declined so far that she had to be tied to her bed in order to stop her harming herself or others. Father Damian Karras has contacted Mrs McNeil but he is not experienced enough to perform the rite. For this they need the much older Father Merrin, one of the few that have done it before. And I will have to leave my little summary here or the Spoiler Police (scary movies division) will have me floating a spinning my head (again).

A very slow deliberate pace may not be to everyone’s taste, but it gradually picks up and this gives more impact to the actual exorcism scene. Great performances all round, particularly from the young Linda Blair as Regan, Ellen Burstyn as Chris and Jason Miller as Father Damian Karras. I must also give a mention to Max von Sydow as Father Merrin and Lee J. Cobb as Lt. William Kinderman.

Although I did find there were scenes in the movie that didn’t make an awful lot of sense, I still found it quite a compelling watch. I’m not a religious man but I can understand how certain scenes may not be welcomed by some of those that are. I really liked the pacing of the film and the way several threads were woven together at the end. The only thing that was missing (for me) was a little more background on Father Merrin. Over all though, an excellent piece of work and one I have no problem in deeming HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My score: 8.9/10

IMDb Score: 8.1/10 (based on 156,543 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/

MetaScore: 82/100: (Based on 24 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 85/100 (based on 47 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 83/100 ‘Liked It’ (based on 308,690 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/exorcist/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Regan MacNeil: Mother? What's wrong with me?
Chris MacNeil: It's just like the doctor said. It's nerves, and that's all. You just take your pills and you'll be fine, really. Okay?

Chris MacNeil: What are you doing here?
Regan MacNeil: My bed was shaking. I can't get to sleep.

Dr. Barringer, Clinic Director: There is one outside chance for a cure. I think of it as shock treatment - as I said, it's a very outside chance... Have you ever heard of exorcism? Well, it's a stylized ritual in which the rabbi or the priest try to drive out the so-called invading spirit. It's been pretty much discarded these days except by the Catholics who keep it in the closet as a sort of an embarrassment, but uh, it has worked. In fact, although not for the reasons they think, of course. It's purely a force of suggestion. The victim's belief in possession is what helped cause it, so in that same way, a belief in the power of exorcism can make it disappear.
Chris MacNeil: You're telling me that I should take my daughter to a witch doctor? Is that it?

Chris MacNeil: How do you go about getting an exorcism?
Father Damien Karras: I beg your pardon?

Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.
Father Damien Karras: You would like that?
Demon: Intensely.
Father Damien Karras: But wouldn't that drive you out of Regan?
Demon: It would bring us together.
Father Damien Karras: You and Regan?
Demon: You and us.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://theexorcist.warnerbros.com/
Trailer: