dGeek Blog

I have never been a big fan of Darren Aronofsky.  I found Pi interesting but dull.  And I confess to absolutely hating Requim For a Dream, which I felt came across like an expensive and irritatingly pretentious student film.  So, needless to say, I came to The Fountain expecting to hate every second of it.  In fact, I'd been warned to avoid it by friends who were big fans of Aronosfsky and by those who weren't.  Point made?  So, needless to say I was stunned that this film affected me the way that it did.  The Fountain is a beautiful, and I would go so far as to say, important piece of cinema.   It was such a pleasant surprise to see a film that disregards all the normal tricks and formulas.  Aronofsky manages to weave a simple, elegant and beautiful love story.  But more than some sappy romance The Fountain explores the need to embrace our mortality as much as we do our lives.  The effects focused on enhancing the mood rather than on being strictly realistic and the music was incredible.  Clint Mansel deserves much of the credit in making this film as powerful and moving as it was.  This film is a gorgeous visual and emotional treat!