"When I get passion, I just can't let go!" director/writer Darren Aronofsky admits, explaining how he persevered over six years to get "The Fountain" made despite cast upheavals and budget slashes (millions vanished when original stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett dropped out). Referring to his Oscar-winning wife, he adds, "Rachel (Weisz) describes me as a dog with a rag in its mouth. Just holding on! Refusing to let go!"

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"Weekend Warrior" columnist Edward Douglas of Comingsoon.net predicts "The Fountain" will earn $6 million this weekend ($9.2 million over five days) when it plays in 1,472 theaters, thus earning a respectable $4,076 per screen. To read his box-office column — CLICK HERE!

Edward adds in his review: "Avid movie buffs have been waiting a long time for Darren Aronofsky's 'The Fountain,' and the wait has been well worth it, as the visionary filmmaker has created an extravagant epic that mixes diverse ideas and genres to create something suitably unique. While it might not be for everyone, those with open minds and a desire for new experiences will certainly appreciate what is essentially an art film in every sense of the word."

A month or so ago Edward — one of our distinguished Buzzmeter Oscar panelists here at The Envelope — and I had a heated smackdown over this movie's awards prospects. He considers Hugh Jackman a viable best actor contender and I pooh-poohed that at first, suspecting that Edward might be pushing one of those secret film critics' agendas. You know how critics are always peddling bizarre, inaccessible pix we normal people can't appreciate (often for good reason — they're junk, just different and pretentious). Sure, academy members loved Aronofsky's last flick. "Requiem for a Dream" earned Ellen Burstyn a best-actress bid. But voters usually scorn sci-fi and "The Fountain" has other problems, too: it was boo-ed at the Venice Film Festival, let's not forget. Heck, even many film critics don't like it that much! "The Fountain" has a mere 51 score at Metacritic.com. Warner Bros. is giving it an Oscar campaign, but a modest one financially compared to "The Departed," "The Good German" and "Blood Diamond." And, besides, come on, it's Hugh Jackman — he's a heartthrob action hero who hoofs and sings valentines on Broadway. How seriously will Oscar voters consider him as a thespian? Will they even watch this DVD?

Jackman's odds sure look long. At least at first tally.

But over the past month I've come to change my mind about "The Fountain's" kudos prospects. Edward may be onto something. We won't know for several more weeks. I don't think it matters how "The Fountain" performs at the box office this weekend. Even if it bombs, that's unimportant. What matters is how it does three, four weeks from now when it may demonstrate amazing, gathering strength thanks to great word of mouth. I have a hunch that "The Fountain" may become a cult hit. It's rather convoluted, yes, the way Hugh zigzags through time while trying to save his wife's life, but it's fantastically romantic in that "Titanic"/ "Moulin Rouge!" kind of way. Many viewers don't just love it, they're over the moon about it! Like I am

That's why many film critics aren't giving it a high score — those cynical cads usually crucify schmaltz, even great schmaltz, because its uncool and they're nerdy social misfits without a heart. However, check the score "The Fountain" gets at Metacritic.com from regular film fans who post there: a whooping 81. Women and gay men especially love it. How rare it is that filmgoers get a sophisticated film depicting a gorgeous straight guy desperately — and I mean desperately — expressing his unhinged love? The female execs at Warner Bros. in charge of its PR are so hyped up about this pic that they're hustling us journos like relentless religious moonies, and not because they're being egged on by a stern boss. It's because they're head-over-heels in love with "The Fountain." Give it some time to find its audience in theaters and it could explode like a gusher.

And if academy voters watch its DVD screener, enough of them could get hooked, too, as we witnessed by the strong support they gave to "Moulin Rouge" and "Titanic." Hugh Jackman's knockout performance is certainly award-worthy. Not only is it the best of his career, but it's easily one of the five best performances by an actor this year. But will Oscar voters give it a chance?

By the way, in addition to getting booed at Venice, it also got a rousing standing ovation. And there was a nasty physical scuffle. That's what kind of divisive response it triggers. Listen to Darren describe what he encountered at Venice plus what he thinks about his six-year quest to get "The Fountain" made — click the audio bar further up in this post! Next week we will feature my video interviews with Darren Aronofsky and Hugh Jackman at The Envelope's video gallery where you can now see my chats with "Babel" director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "Catch a Fire" star Derek Luke and other kudos contenders — CLICK HERE!

Top photo: Hugh Jackman makes a big splash dramatically in "The Fountain" while desperately striving to save his wife who's dying of a brain tumor (Rachel Weisz, wife of director/writer Darren Aronofsky). Bottom photo: Last March Aronofsky and Weisz posed for paparazzi at the Oscars where Weisz won best supporting actress (as a dying wife again) in "The Constant Gardener." This time her role is less flamboyant emotionally, but it's possible she could be nommed again.
(Warner Bros./ L.A. Times)