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'm not sure the above synopsis is accurate. Trouble is, I'm not sure I can do any better. Directory and co-writer Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) has outdone himself this time out. The story weaves through three interconnected segments -- a 16th Century Spanish Conquistador scours the Mayan civilization to discover the legendary Tree of Life for Queen Isabel, a 21st Century oncologist experiments with animals to unlock potential cures for brain tumors in hopes of saving his stricken wife, and a 26th Century astronaut travels through space in an organic bubble. Although much of the story is open to interpretation, Aronofsky explores themes of life, death, and life after death, with a bit of the ol' nature of existence stuff to boot. The pace of the story is extremely slow and contemplative (making 90 minutes seem like three hours) but I was entranced the entire time. The music is captivating and haunting, and the visuals are exquisite and even more stunning when you learn that almost no CGI was used in their creation. Many critics compare The Fountain to 2001: A Space Odyssey due to similar thematic elements but it could also be compared to The Matrix, The Jacket, or David Lynch's Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive. The Fountain offers no easy answers, encouraging discussion instead, and what more lofty goal could a film have?