The Fountain

Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain has been my most anticipated film ever since it first began production in 2002. Aronofsky, coming off the masterpiece that is Requiem for a Dream, wrote a science-fiction love story about a man's search for the Fountain of Youth in three different time periods - 1500, 2000, and 2500. Aronofsky cast Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in the lead roles, and Warner Bros. gave him a $75 million budget.

Pre-production started. Elaborate sets were built. And then Pitt decided to abandon the project and do Troy instead. Warner Bros. pulled the plug; the sets were demolished. It looked as if The Fountain was dead.

And then in early 2004, the project was miraculously revived. Aronofsky was given a smaller budget of $35 million, and he cast Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (who would become the director's fiancee). Fans were simultaneously elated and dismayed... happy that the film would become a reality, yet saddened by that diminished budget.

And then the trailer was released. This is one of the most beautifully haunting trailers I've seen a long time, and it's impossible to believe these images were accomplished with such little money.

The early reviews have been sensational, so keep your fingers crossed...