I didnt know to watch or not initially, because there were some who claimed it was too slow for comfort ... some even claimed it to be boring ...

But finally, I did watch ... because a source claimed that it was the Top 10 films from US for 2006 ...

My verdict ... while the beginning was not very captivating, I thought the ending was VERY visually stunning ... wow ... and the music was captivating too ... another wow ...

There were some "religious influence" (even in terms of choreography/filming) near the end (at least I thought) ... but how could you not, esp given that it is such a philosophical and rather CRYPTIC film ...
e.g., 
(i) ... very humbly, I thought the "pose" Hugh Jackman had in the bubble seemed to have some influence from images of "Buddha" and "Buddhism", simply look at the way he crossed his legs and more imptly, how his fingers are laid ... 
(ii) ... yet, I also thought the director "borrowed" some choreography from "images of "resurrection" (i.e., "Christianity", and/or even Beauty and the Beast The Musical) ... esp. when Hugh Jackman arched his back, and got elevated into "space" ...

In sum, a film worth watching for its visuals, and to some extent, its philosophical take ... as to the mainstream audience, I am not sure if they will appreciate it ...