Fountain of Youth Review: Guy Ritchie spins a flawed yet fun tale of eternal youth

Time of India

23-05-2025

Story: This fantasy adventure follows siblings Luke and Charlotte as they team up for a heist to uncover the mythical Fountain of Youth. Their quest leads them through masterpieces of renowned painters, cryptic clues hidden in musical notes, and a cunning tycoon.
Review: Trust Guy Ritchie to kick off a film with the Thai rendition of Nancy Sinatra's 'Bang Bang'—a bold, stylish choice that instantly sets the tone. 'Fountain of Youth' is a wild, globe-trotting adventure, packed with Ritchie's signature quirks—snappy dialogue, dynamic visuals, and offbeat characters. Yes, the plot occasionally stretches logic, and there are moments that ask for a leap of faith, but it succeeds in grabbing your attention. From Thailand to the UK, Austria, and Egypt, the film charts an outrageous hunt for the mythical Fountain of Youth, and while this Indiana Jones knockoff might not win over those searching for perfection, it's an enjoyable watch for anyone open to cinematic mischief.
At the heart of the story is Luke (John Krasinski), a charming art thief with a taste for priceless paintings. When Owen Carver (Domnhall Gleeson), a young billionaire suffering from liver cancer, offers to bankroll Luke's next heist—the search for the fabled Fountain of Youth—the proposition is too tempting to decline. The legend promises eternal health, beauty, and vitality. But Luke knows he can't pull it off alone. He reaches out to his estranged sister, Charlotte (Natalie Portman), now a museum curator caught in the middle of a divorce and a custody battle. Their relationship is strained, but her expertise is indispensable. The duo learns that in the 1600s, six master painters—Caravaggio, Rubens, Wildens, Velázquez, El Greco, and Rembrandt—concealed clues to the fountain's location in their works. With Carver's deep pockets funding their globe-spanning mission, the trio embarks on a thrilling race to crack the code.
John Krasinski slips into the role of Luke with the ease of a seasoned thief—confident, sharp, and laced with the kind of cheeky swagger that keeps things light even during tense moments. His screen presence is magnetic, and his repartee with Natalie Portman, who plays Charlotte, provides the emotional core of the story. Portman balances intellect and restraint, portraying a woman torn between duty, scepticism, and sibling loyalty. Domhnall Gleeson as Carver deserved more screen time in this film and, as a billionaire puppet master pulling the strings from behind, is cool and calculated. But it's Eiza González who steals scenes as Esme, a fierce protector of the ancient path, blending grace and aggression in her combat sequences. Stanley Tucci makes a brief but impactful appearance as a Vatican elder.
The story is built around a ninth-century Tibetan scroll that claims the location of the Fountain was hidden by God and protected over generations by a secret lineage of scholars known as the Protectors of the Path. These guardians are not just spiritual gatekeepers but formidable adversaries who stop at nothing to preserve the secret. While the film borrows elements from 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Indiana Jones,' Guy Ritchie injects it with his unique flair—humour, chaos, and clever wordplay. The climax, set deep beneath the Egyptian pyramids, is visually breathtaking and masterfully executed with the help of slick CGI. The action is fast-paced, rarely allowing the viewer to lose interest. One of the standout sequences unfolds in Bangkok, where Luke thwarts a gang's attempt to steal a painting—shot with tight choreography and playful tension.
At its core, 'Fountain of Youth' is no groundbreaking masterpiece and is a flawed film, but it is undeniably stylish and engaging. It embraces its own absurdity and makes the most of it. The film is smartly packaged—sexy in tone, brisk in pace, and anchored by a sibling dynamic that lends just enough heart. The action at the pyramids dazzles, the banter feels lived-in, and the British aesthetic adds a layer of sophistication. It may not be profound, but it knows exactly what it wants to be. It's a flawed film, no doubt, but it's clever, stylish, and a lot of fun.