Banner image: Courtesy of Apple TV+
Recent treasure-hunting films haven’t exactly struck gold. James Mangold’s CGI-stuffed Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny faced lukewarm reviews in 2023, while Ruben Fleischer’s 2022 video game adaptation Uncharted fared even worse. But can director Guy Ritchie’s latest outing for Apple TV+ mark the spot for this sub-genre’s success?
When it comes to treasure-hunting adventures, you probably know the drill by now: fast-paced action sequences, a lovable, thrill-seeking protagonist, and a race against time in search of an (often) not-so-mythical reward. This time, the quarry is the fabled Fountain of Youth, the legendary waters that restore youth and health, and eliminate ageing for anyone who drinks from them.
From the get-go, Ritchie and writer James Vanderbilt thrust us into the fast-paced world of treasure ‘liberator’ Luke Purdue (John Krasinski). We meet him in the midst of a score: stealing a painting from the henchmen of a Bangkok crime boss. At this point, the hunt for the fountain is already well underway, and we soon learn that several paintings – when combined – hold the key to its location.
Attempting to reignite sister Charlotte’s (Natalie Portman) passion for adventure, Luke steals the next painting from a prestigious art gallery, where she conveniently works. After a bit of persuasion, Charlotte gets roped into ‘one last adventure’ with her brother, his sidekicks (Laz Alonso and Carmen Ejogo), and their benefactor, Owen (Domhall Gleeson), who’s suffering from a mysterious terminal illness.
Natalie Portman and John Krasinski in ‘Fountain of Youth’. Courtesy of Apple TV+
For the most part, Fountain of Youth is a fun, well-paced ride. Luke largely lands as a likeable lead, with some chuckle-worthy one-liners. And while some of the humour is a little cliché, the cast’s adept delivery makes up for it. The brother-sister dynamic is also engaging – if unoriginal – as the primary driver of the film’s character development, and the climactic ending offers a satisfying payoff.
However, Fountain of Youth does little to snap from the well-formed mould shaped by Indiana Jones, National Treasure, Uncharted, and countless other predecessors. There’s a skilled, quippy protagonist with a good heart who takes the lust for bounty a tad too far; a treasure-hunting family legacy; a ragtag but capable team; and a reluctant final member who’s dragged back into the hunt. Stop me if you’ve heard this before.
Following this formula can yield great results if each aspect lands, but this is where Fountain of Youth falters. The key to a watertight treasure-hunting tale is laying out clues that both the characters and the audience can piece together. For this to work, there needs to be just enough questions in place to make the payoff feel earned.
However, in Fountain of Youth, many of the puzzles are either already solved by the time Charlotte and the audience join the quest, or they’re answered too rapidly and conveniently (often by characters recalling an obscure historical fact at exactly the right moment), robbing audiences of the opportunity to relish the mystery.
Luckily, Fountain of Youth’s snappy dialogue and character chemistry lift it to its three-star status. Moments like Luke’s poor attempts at flirting with antagonist Esme (Eiza González) and the siblings’ relatable reminiscing about their damp university flat keep a steady stream of smirks throughout.
Natalie Portman, John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson, Carmen Ejogo, and Laz Alonso in ‘Fountain of Youth’. Courtesy of Apple TV+
However, the Purdue siblings are the only characters who receive anything close to development. Sidekicks Murphy (Laz Alonso) and McCall (Carmen Ejogo) exist only to flesh out the team and offer tech and explosive expertise. In fact, the plot would probably have been stronger without them, allowing the siblings more space to unravel the mystery themselves, and Ritchie more room to explore their dynamic.
Unfortunately, the film’s character problems extend past the treasure-hunting team. Owen and Esme exist only as wooden plot devices rather than having the complexity of real people – and since I only felt myself caring about two characters, much of the film’s tension fell flat.
If you’re hoping to unravel an intricate puzzle alongside a memorable, morally complex crew of adventurers, you’ll likely come away from Fountain of Youth disappointed. But for those looking to switch off their brain with some fast-paced action and simple humour, it’s a fun – albeit forgettable – time.
Fountain of Youth is streaming now on Apple TV+.
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