The Fountain - Adam Paquette

 The Fountain (2006), has three storylines (the past, present, and future). All are on the search for immortality. The conquistador was on the search for the tree of life for the queen, and in doing so has his men killed and killed the priest to have eternal life. The doctor was searching for a cure for his wife's brain tumor, however, in doing so he pushed her away and did not spend time with her. The space traveler was traveling in a bubble to a dying star with an old tree accompanying him. All storylines are the same in that they are all on the quest for immortality for either themselves or for their love. I found it interesting that the director portrayed the wife as the tree by showing similar pictures of the hairs on her neck and the hairs of the tree stick up when her husband touches or kisses it. Another interesting aspect was that the Christian conquistador killed for eternal life. The conquistador was seen as sacred after being stabbed by the Mayan and then the Mayan sacrificed himself. It was fascinating to see that the conquistador drank from the tree of life only to die, the exact opposite of what was believed to happen. I found it sad that the doctor was so caught up in trying to save his wife that it turns out that he pushed her away and did not get to spend time with her before she died. I believe this shows us that we must cherish the life we are given and come to terms with death, rather than fight it. It was not until the end that the space traveler embraced his wife and imagined his life if he actually went for a walk with his wife during the first snowfall. This film may show us that those who are on the search for eternal life by being selfish, will not get it. However, those who come to terms with death and help others will live eternally through their loved ones. It was fascinating to see how Isabel Creo let Tom Creo finish her story, which is similar to the film Big Fish when the father lets the son finish his story before he died. 

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