The Fountain

Darren Aronofsky’s esoteric, cosmic romance divided cinema audiences on its release. People either loved it or were just bemused and frustrated by it. Well, it’s likely that only those who have an idea of what they’re getting into will go for this DVD release – and they’ll find much to enjoy and enhance their experience of a superior film.

The Fountain is a terrific film that bears repeated viewings to soak up its epoch-shifting storylines and bathe in the fantastic visuals. The disc’s sharp picture, with velvety darks and sparkling luminescence, does Aronofsky’s vision justice and the sound quality keeps the score sonorous. Adding to the experience are some satisfying featurettes.

Life On Ship is an extended outtake showing Hugh Jackman’s future character cultivating a dodgy ‘shroom tea from the life force around him. It’s a wonderfully realised sequence that certainly feels as though it was never intended for the final cut – more a possibly teasing signifier to unravel the film for the discerning DVD buyer.

Inside the Fountain: Death & Rebirth is comprised of six featurettes that together deliver a comprehensive ‘making of’ some hour and a half long. Each looks at a separate stage on the linear production, titled Australia, The 21st Century, Spain 16th Century, New Spain, The Endless Field and The Future. They are easy going, but professionally filmed and satisfyingly edited so that everything is of interest, adds to your experience of the film and feels worth your time. There’s a lot of the cast and crew featured and Aronofsky frequently comes across as warm, approachable, unbelievably committed and driven. Not much is made at any one time of the well-publicised delays and difficulties in getting the long-gestating film made, but the issue necessarily rises regularly.

Finally there’s The Interview, where Rachel Weisz interviews Jackman during make-up. It’s slightly less interesting than everything else, although both were clearly moved by the filming. It is also palpably clear neither is able to provide any revelatory answers or great understanding of what the dinkus they were playing at.

I knew an Aronofsky commentary was just too much of an ask.

Scott Macdonald notes: See Darren Aronofsky's website for further information on a commentary track for the film in MP3 format. The studio didn't want to pay for an on-disc commentary. You will require a BitTorrent client to download the file, and a way of synchronising the film with the commentary, like an iPod or other player.