SCREEN IT! PARENTAL REVIEW: THE FOUNTAIN

"THE FOUNTAIN"
(2006) (Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
None	Heavy	Extreme	Moderate	Heavy

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Mild	None	Minor	None	Heavy

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Heavy	None	Heavy	Moderate	Extreme

QUICK TAKE:: Drama: Various versions of the same people try to find eternal life and love over the span of a millennium.

PLOT:

It's sometime in the middle ages and Queen Isabel (RACHEL WEISZ) of Spain has sent one of her conquistadors, Tomas (HUGH JACKMAN), somewhere into Central America to find the Biblical Tree of Life. Legend has it that this tree from Eden possesses fruit that, if eaten, grants eternal life, something the Queen and Tomas want with each other.

In the present day, Tommy (HUGH JACKMAN) is a scientist working in a research lab for Dr. Lillian Guzetti (ELLEN BURSTYN), experimenting on primates trying to find cures for various diseases. His focus is intense since his wife, Izzi Creo (RACHEL WEISZ), is afflicted with a terminal disease, and he's getting ever closer to finding a cure, but time is running out.

Finally, there's Tom Creo (HUGH JACKMAN), some sort of futuristic man seemingly existing in some sort of bubble in outer space where he tends to what's presumably the Tree of Life and has recurring visions of both the Queen and Izzi. As the three stories become intertwined, the characters in them search for ways to prolong their lives.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: If they're fans of the filmmaker or anyone in the film, they might.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13: For some intense sequences of violent action, some sensuality and language.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: HUGH JACKMAN plays three different variations of the same character in different timelines. One is a Spanish conquistador who battles and kills indigenous people to try to find the tree of life. Another is a terse research scientist who's trying to find the cure for his wife's terminal disease. The last is some sort of futuristic man in outer space who keeps the Tree of Life alive while experiencing visions of his former loves. He briefly uses strong profanity as the contemporary man.
RACHEL WEISZ plays two variations of the same character in different timelines. One is a Spanish queen who sends Tomas to find the tree of life so that they can be eternal lovers. The other is a contemporary woman who's somewhat unhappy her husband is working all of the time, but is also dying from a disease.
ELLEN BURSTYN plays Tommy's boss at the research facility who's concerned about his obsession with finding a cure for Izzi.; RACHEL WEISZ plays two variations of the same character in different timelines. One is a Spanish queen who sends Tomas to find the tree of life so that they can be eternal lovers. The other is a contemporary woman who's somewhat unhappy her husband is working all of the time, but is also dying from a disease.
ELLEN BURSTYN plays Tommy's boss at the research facility who's concerned about his obsession with finding a cure for Izzi.; ELLEN BURSTYN plays Tommy's boss at the research facility who's concerned about his obsession with finding a cure for Izzi.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Here's a brief summary of the content found in this drama that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 1 "f" word, while a handful of other expletives and colorful phrases are uttered. A wife pulls her husband into a bathtub (he's clothed, she's not) and they make out, while a tortured woman's bare breast is briefly seen in passing.

Violence consists of various people of the middle ages being killed by swords, spears, and such, sometimes with rather bloody results, while others are hoisted up and then dropped to their presumed deaths (we don't see the impact below). Some of those scenes and other moments might be unsettling or suspenseful to some viewers, while the perpetrators of such violence obviously have bad attitudes. A husband worries about his terminally ill wife, and must then deal with her death.

Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: None.

BLOOD/GORE: After being stabbed in a scene set in the middle ages, Tomas has an open wound in his belly from which some blood flows.
We see an open incision in a monkey's head as Tommy performs some sort of brain surgery on it.
Izzi's feet look bad (briefly seen) after being barefoot in the snow (her condition has robbed her of such physical sensations).
In the past, we see the Inquisitor doing a lot of self-flagellation and he has many open and bloody wounds on his bare back (mostly in the dark as the camera is behind him as he sits in front of a fire, but we can see the wounds).
We see a number of people being hoisted high above the floor by their feet as they're being punished by the Inquisitor, and some of them are bloody.
In the past, one of Tomas's conquistadors tires of them following what he thinks is a wild chase and then takes a mallet and smashes a priest (who's been leading them) over the head, mortally wounding him (with some bloody results). Tomas then stabs that attacker in his boot with a sword and then slices him elsewhere, killing him. He then battles others, killing them as well (with slightly bloody results).
Tom pricks his finger and then mixes the little bit of resultant blood with ink to draw a ring around his finger.
In the past, a Mayan warrior allows himself to be sacrificed, resulting in Tomas slicing his throat (with blood spraying onto the adjacent wall).
Tomas applies tree sap to the wound on his abdomen, resulting in it bubbling and then healing. However, a plant then grows from the wound, with the growth eventually overtaking and covering his body.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: Tomas kills various indigenous people while trying to find the Tree of Life for his queen.
Some viewers might not like the lab experimenting on primates as part of their testing for cures.
We see a number of people being hoisted high above the floor by their feet as they're being punished by the Inquisitor (they're then dropped to their deaths).

FRIGHTENING SCENES: Scenes listed under "Violence" or "Blood/Gore" may be unsettling or suspenseful to younger viewers and/or those with low tolerance levels for such material.
We see Tomas in the middle ages as a Spanish conquistador with two others cautiously walking through a narrow passageway at night, wondering if it's a trap. It is, as a gate rises up behind them and many warriors appear in front of them holding spears. The two other men try to flee, with one being hit by a spear while trying to scale that gate, while the other is seen with a spear through his leg when another hits his torso, killing him (no blood for either). Tomas then confronts the attackers, slicing many with his sword and bashing others with his shield before being hit, captured, lifted into the air and then thrown to the foot of some pyramid steps. He ascends them and then confronts the protector of the Tree of Life who carries a flaming sword and stabs Tomas with it or a dagger, leaving a wound in his belly from which some blood flows. He then slices Tomas with that flaming sword, but we don't see the impact (we just hear Tomas scream which then segues into a completely different scene).
Tomas goes to assassinate a ruthless Inquisitor, but is stopped by an associate before he gets the chance.
Izzi collapses in a museum, with Tommy catching her before she completely hits the floor (this is from her brain tumor).
Tommy performs more brain surgery on a monkey, but we don't see the actual work.
In the past, Tomas smashes a table and the map on it with his sword. Then, one of Tomas's conquistadors tires of them following what he thinks is a wild chase and then takes a mallet and smashes a priest (who's been leading them) over the head, mortally wounding him (with some bloody results). Tomas then stabs that attacker in his boot with a sword and then slices him elsewhere, killing him. He then battles others, killing them as well (with slightly bloody results), causing two to give up fighting him.
Tommy awakens to hear Izzi's hospital monitors in alarm mode and he tries to perform CPR on her, with medical staff then arriving and doing the same, making him leave the room. Moments later, he rushes back in to see them pulling a sheet over her head, with him yanking it back down, and doing more CPR. Pulled away, he drives one doctor up against a wall by his neck (panicked and frustrated).
In the past, a Mayan warrior allows himself to be sacrificed, resulting in Tomas slicing his throat (with blood spraying onto the adjacent wall).

GUNS/WEAPONS: Spears/Swords/Dagger/Mallet: Carried and/or used to threaten, wound, or kill others. See "Violence" for details.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Phrases: "Why the f*ck do you think I'm here?" "Oh sh*t," "Get his ass in here," "You're an old fart" and "What the hell is going on?"
We see Tom tattooing himself (rings around his arm) in the future.
In the past, we see the Inquisitor doing a lot of self-flagellation and he has many open and bloody wounds on his bare back (mostly in the dark as the camera is behind him as he sits in front of a fire, but we can see the wounds).
Tom pricks his finger and then mixes the little bit of resultant blood with ink to draw a ring around his finger.

JUMP SCENES: None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE): Some brief, suspenseful music plays in a few scenes.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): None.

PROFANITY: At least 1 "f" word, 1 "s" word, 3 damns, 1 ass, 1 hell and 1 use each of "For Christ's sakes" and "God."

SEX/NUDITY: Tommy (who's clothed) bathes Izzi who's nude in a bathtub. We only see her bare shoulders at the most, but they end up passionately kissing (sensually) and she then playfully pulls him into the tub with her (clothed). He then gets on top of her there, she removes his shirt, and they continue kissing.
We see Izzi's lower bare back as she sleeps on her side. Tommy then joins her in a spoons position, but nothing sexual happens.
We see a number of people being hoisted high above the floor by their feet as they're being punished by the Inquisitor. We briefly see one woman's bare breast as this occurs.

SMOKING: None.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: Tommy worries about Izzi and her condition and goes off to the bathroom to cry in secret.
Izzi collapses in a museum, with Tommy catching her before she completely hits the floor (this is from her brain tumor).
Tommy awakens to hear Izzi's hospital monitors in alarm mode and he tries to perform CPR on her, with medical staff then arriving and doing the same, making him leave the room. Moments later, he rushes back in to see them pulling a sheet over her head, with him yanking it back down, and doing more CPR. Pulled away, he drives one doctor up against a wall by his neck (panicked and frustrated).
We see Izzi's funeral and it becomes too much for Tommy who walks away.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT: Searching for cures for various diseases and maladies (and using animals to do that).
The comment that death frees every soul.
The notion of eternal life, the Tree of Life, and the fountain of youth.
The notion of death as an act of creation.

VIOLENCE: We see Tomas in the middle ages as a Spanish conquistador with two others cautiously walking through a narrow passageway at night, wondering if it's a trap. It is, as a gate rises up behind them and many warriors appear in front of them holding spears. The two other men try to flee, with one being hit by a spear while trying to scale that gate, while the other is seen with a spear through his leg when another hits his torso, killing him (no blood for either). Tomas then confronts the attackers, slicing many with his sword and bashing others with his shield before being hit, captured, lifted into the air and then thrown to the foot of some pyramid steps. He ascends them and then confronts the protector of the Tree of Life who carries a flaming sword and stabs Tomas with it or a dagger, leaving a wound in his belly from which some blood flows. He then slices Tomas with that flaming sword, but we don't see the impact (we just hear Tomas scream which then segues into a completely different scene).
In the past, we see the Inquisitor doing a lot of self-flagellation and he has many open and bloody wounds on his bare back (mostly in the dark as the camera is behind him as he sits in front of a fire, but we can see the wounds).
We see a number of people being hoisted high above the floor by their feet as they're being punished by the Inquisitor. We see blood on a few, and then see that they're dropped from that height, but don't see the impact below that presumably kills them.
Tommy swipes papers from a desk in anger and frustration.
In the past, Tomas smashes a table and the map on it with his sword. Then, one of Tomas's conquistadors tires of them following what he thinks is a wild chase and then takes a mallet and smashes a priest (who's been leading them) over the head, mortally wounding him (with some bloody results). Tomas then stabs that attacker in his boot with a sword and then slices him elsewhere, killing him. He then battles others, killing them as well (with slightly bloody results), causing two to give up fighting him.
Upset about being pulled away from his dying wife, Tommy drives one doctor up against a wall by his neck (panicked and frustrated).
Tommy hits a lamp in anger.
In the past, a Mayan warrior allows himself to be sacrificed, resulting in Tomas slicing his throat (with blood spraying onto the adjacent wall).

Reviewed October 11, 2006 / Posted November 22, 2006

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