Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain is an artistic masterpiece. This stunning, elegant movie co-stars Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz as characters representing eternal love and the battle between death and immortality. However, because it highlights such esoteric elements as mysticism, spirituality and symbolism, this unique film may not resonate with some viewers. Personally, I found it hypnotic and almost painfully beautiful.

Delivering the most memorable performance of his career, Jackman (The Prestige) plays three different roles here, although these men have the same soul and are all tied to the character portrayed by Weisz (who won the Oscar for The Constant Gardener). Tom, Jackman's main role, is a research scientist trying desperately to find a cure for his wife Izzi (Weisz) who's dying from cancer. His second character is Tomas, a Spanish Conquistador, sent by Queen Isabella (Weisz again) to the Mayan jungles to find the Tree of Life. An astronaut floating in a bubble with the Tree of Life and his memories of Izzi is Jackman's third persona.

The film jumps back and forth among the 15th, 21st and 26th centuries because these are the time periods in which the three men live. So it takes a bit of patience to figure out what's going on, which involves a book -- titled The Fountain -- Izzi is writing and wants Tom to finish for her. Fortunately, that didn't pose a problem to me, for I was completely awed by the movie's incredible images while trying to connect the story's dots. And, of course, by Jackman's fiercely brilliant acting. The love and despair he projects as Tom struggles to save Izzi's life is so emotionally powerful that I'm still thinking about certain scenes and wondering how he was able to do them with such depth of feeling.

Looking gorgeous as the Spanish Queen (she was definitely ready for her close-up, Mr. Aronofsky) and winning our empathy as Izzi, Weisz makes us believe in the purity of her character's soul. In their unforgettable bathtub love scene, Weisz and Jackman display a chemistry that practically scorches the screen, but it's the tender moments Tom and Izzi share with each other that touched my heart.  

Should we fight death or calmly accept our mortality? Which is more important -- spending time with our loved ones or working to save them from death? Can love conquer all? Heavy-duty questions, for sure, and not ones we expect to see explored all at once in a movie. But The Fountain takes them on with artistry and grace. Bravo!

(Released by Warner Bros. Pictures and rated "PG-13" for some intense sequences of violent action, some sensuality and language.)