Scenes We Love: The Fountain
Filed under: Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Trailers and Clips, Scenes We Love

I've been putting off posting a scene from The Fountain since we began this little feature, partly because it seems a shame to reduce this my love for this film to a single scene. It's one of the rare movies that was an instant favorite when the credits rolled, and remains one of the most powerful experiences I've enjoyed in a multiplex. I was shocked when so many people didn't feel the same way -- and I have to say that one of the best things about joining Cinematical is discovering that so many do love it as much as I do, and that it didn't just disappear off the face of the earth in 2006.
But if I have to pick just one, it would definitely be this -- the moment Tom finally understands everything. What else is there to say about it? It's beautifully acted, beautifully shot, and the music is just beyond perfect. It's a little heavy for midweek viewing, but it may just be the dose of philosophy you need to get through the rest of your day.
A little trivia, courtesy of IMDB:
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But if I have to pick just one, it would definitely be this -- the moment Tom finally understands everything. What else is there to say about it? It's beautifully acted, beautifully shot, and the music is just beyond perfect. It's a little heavy for midweek viewing, but it may just be the dose of philosophy you need to get through the rest of your day.
A little trivia, courtesy of IMDB:
- Warner Bros refused to do a Director's Commentary for the DVD release, so Darren Aronofsky recorded one in his living room, and released it on his web site.
- Instead of using CGI, Aronofsky chose to do the special effects for the film by using micro-photography of chemical reactions on tiny petri dishes. He has said that CGI would take away from the timelessness of the film and that he wants the film to stand the test of time.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-11-2009 @ 8:21PM
craig said...
Such a great movie. Aronofsky is one of my all time favorite directors. This movie is definitely underappreciated.
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4-04-2009 @ 5:11PM
dncbmi said...
Phenomenal, never has this
Reality has come to pass, to touch
my dreams so closely...
DMC BMI
Don Clair McQuary
3-11-2009 @ 8:30PM
Mac said...
I read this site daily and gets me through the day. I've never commented.
This movie is amazing and how it fuses three unique times into one massive story of love and understanding of life, truly brilliant. I had to comment and agree, yes the fountain is amazing.
People should all check this film out.
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3-11-2009 @ 8:39PM
honey said...
I've shown this film to several friends and have yet to find another person to like it. I think this is Aronofsky's finest film, even with the amazing Wrestler now on his CV. The mythology, the symmetry of the narrative, the reoccurring symbols in every scene, the music, and Jackman's vulnerable performance make this film one of my favorites. I'm glad other people out there appreciate it too.
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3-11-2009 @ 9:30PM
khkg said...
i've had the same experience. told friends and family to watch it, but none seemed moved by the experience the same way i was.
3-11-2009 @ 8:58PM
Jenn Brown said...
I'm lucky to know several who loved the film; two friends called me shortly after seeing it to tell me they cried, and has to collect themselves before leaving the theatre.
It's truly one of the best made films I've ever seen, and I feel lucky to have seen at at Fantastic Fest with Aronofsky in attendance, for a long Q&A.
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3-11-2009 @ 9:48PM
Julie said...
Love this film. How amazing that I was listening and rediscovering the soundtrack just this week and now you write this... What a beautiful film and Jackman's performance is just brilliant. Rips my heart out through my throat every time, and the scene above did it all over again. Lovely lovely film and on my top ten of favorite films. Very under appreciated. It is soul satisfying to find others that love it as well.
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3-12-2009 @ 2:49AM
Chris said...
I love you Elisabeth.
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3-12-2009 @ 9:05AM
ML said...
Why was this film treated as it was while certain other films receive accolades? But I guess it's just my opinion ...
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3-12-2009 @ 10:26AM
Jude said...
I found the film excessively boring, but I did like it when Hugh turned into a plant.
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3-12-2009 @ 11:22AM
Jennifer said...
With you there. The only good part of the movie. I dont know a single person who likes it. It was just plain awful. Maybe I totally missed something when I watched it. But if someone could attempt to explain to me what exactly this movie was about, I'd be fine with that, cause evidently I totally missed SOMETHING.
3-12-2009 @ 11:32AM
LiqwidZero said...
I think it's a take on how a person is meant for another. How love is everlasting and lives on and on.
That's just my take, though.
I loved this movie. The cinematography, soundtrack, and acting was just superb.
3-12-2009 @ 11:32AM
Rufus said...
Said it before, will say it again: beautiful film.
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3-12-2009 @ 11:39AM
Rufus said...
Oh... and WHAT a soundtrack by Clint Mansell.
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3-12-2009 @ 12:35PM
dukrous said...
Weird...just the other day I was humming parts of the soundtrack to myself at work. I need to put it back on my ipod.
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3-12-2009 @ 2:52PM
miruku said...
I agree. This movie are indeed one of the most personal and beautiful movie from Aronofsky. I don't blame people who doesn't "get" the point of the movie, which it's pretty simple yet deep.
Mansell sountrack really elevate the movie mood and experience.
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3-12-2009 @ 4:22PM
potion lords said...
The Fountain went over most peoples heads. No filmmaker has really addressed the subjects in this film on the level he did. The narritive structure is unprecedented. As 3 conciousness' are happening simultaniously, death, evolution, mindexpansion, eternal life, pain, and love are all explored in a profound and deep manner. This is a film for a new breed of thinkers and feelers.
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3-12-2009 @ 7:33PM
jfrost said...
The part that went over my head was probably covered up by the horrible that is this movie.
"This is a film for a new breed of thinkers and feelers. "
-don't be so pretentious. if you liked the movie that's fine, but don't talk down to people that don't. hell i love "what dreams may come", but i know a lot of critics and people who just didn't like it. i'm not going to tell them they aren't smart enough to get it, their loss.