Fountain of Youth review: Watch John Krasinski and Natalie Portman in a visually arresting but lifeless film!

Guy Ritchie’s attempt to craft a modern-day National Treasure is commendable in spirit but the execution feels too rushed and uninspired to leave any lasting impact!

I vividly remember the thrill of watching National Treasure as a kid. It wasn’t just about Nicolas Cage but Benjamin Franklin Gates treating history like a James Bond mission. I was so obsessed that I still remember the whole thing, scene by scene how they stole the Declaration of Independence during a party, only to find a hidden map at the back, full of clues that led to a treasure buried underground. And if you, like me, grew up watching that and still recall the colored-lens glasses that revealed different parts of the map, then Fountain of Youth would definitley excite you since it taps into that same spirit! As ecstatic as I was for that era to be back where history was treated like a puuzle and an adevnture, I was left rather dissapointed with this one; Guy Ritchie’s attempt at reviving that vibe of chasing secrets across centuries is all style with not enough substance.

The story follows Luke Purdue (John Krasinski), an art thief driven by curiosity and his father's grand legacy of art collector, who sets out to find the mythical Fountain of Youth, a drink believed to grant immortality. He’s joined by his reluctant sister Charlotte Purdue (Natalie Portman) and their late father’s team of researchers and explorers. Funding the journey is billionaire Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), who’s on the brink of death and desperate for a cure. But how do you find something in reality that only exists in folklore and guarded by gods? Apparently, six painters with likes of Caravaggio, Rembrandt, El Greco, Rubens, and others left hidden clues in their paintings that piece together a map leading to the fountain’s secret location. This sends the group on a globe-trotting adventure through tourist spots like Bangkok, Vienna, Ireland, Switzerland, and Egypt. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper hunt without people trying to stop them. They’re chased by Interpol detective Jamal Abbass (Arian Moayed), a member named Esme (Eiza González) who belongs to an ancient secret group of Protectors of the Path, and a group of assassins all doing what they can to stop this team.

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If you’ve seen Guy Ritchie’s works (Sherlock Holmes or The Gentlemen), you know his style of fast-paced editing, stylized action sequences, clever dialogue, and camera angles that keep things dynamic. That signature flair is very much present here. Action scenes are slick and entertaining, and the story moves quickly enough that you don’t question its logic much while watching. But the problem is in the writing and pacing. Vanderbilt’s script and James Herbert’s editing leave behind too many loose ends that makes the film a pile of one high-octane chase sequence after another. In the two hour run time, the film builds an interesting path to the fountain using historical references and metaphorical clues but the details don’t get enough time to stick. They are intriguing but you’re not pulled deep enough into this rabbit hole of a mystery to want more. 

Fountain of Youth borrows from the National Treasure with its curiosity-driven hunt that follows the knoweldge of history; the religious symbolism and art-based clues bring back The Da Vinci Code vibes but that alone isn’t enough. More than that, the film does attempt to explore deeper themes like the greed behind human curiosity and our urge to unearth truths that might be better left buried due to the dangers they carry. But that idea gets lost amid action sequences and the spectacle of the adventure itself. Even John Krasinski’s usual comedic charm and Natalie Portman’s talent feels underwhelming.

In the end, it’s the stunning visuals that do most of the heavy lifting. They’re so captivating you almost forgive the film for not delivering a more solid story. But if you're looking for more than just an eclectic ensemble cast with big names, pretty locations and basic puzzle-solving, this might not be it. Moreover, as an Indian who has grown up hearing about the story of the Samudra Manthan where Gods and demons churned the ocean to obtain Amrit, a nectar so powerful it could grant immortality but also bring destruction, Fountain of Youth's pursuit of eternal life feels shallow and at best a fast-paced, mindless adventure than a layered, spiritual exploration of human desire for ultimate power.

Fountain of Youth is currently streaming on Apple TV+!

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