As long as The Fountain remained a love story first, and everything else second, I thought it worked -- and that lasted, well, just about the whole of the initial "12 Chapters." It was a moving and sensuous experience (the color palette was exquisite), though not necessarily an intellectual one (and there was really no need to drag in the Mayans once again). The sharp, surprisingly comprehensible screenplay and, as wpqx has mentioned, Jackman's performance were also key factors. But, unfortunately, in the final chapter the film succumbed under its own pop-theological-philosophical "weight." Having said that, Aronofsky's ambition needs to be respected. We want our filmmakers to take chances, do something out of the ordinary -- and when they do, they get clubbed over the head. That's not fair!