Apple TV’s Fountain of Youth is certainly not a must-watch, but it’s fun for the whole family and a good time, nevertheless. In true Guy Ritchie fashion, it’s stylistic, gorgeously shot, and full of thrilling action sequences, with James Vanderbilt’s screenplay providing sharp banter that makes the dialogue thoroughly engaging.
Starring John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, Arian Moayed, Laz Alonso, Carmen Ejogo, and Benjamin Chivers, with a brief cameo from Stanley Tucci, the film ultimately succeeds because it’s clear as day that the cast is having a good time throughout. Films like Apple TV’s Fountain of Youth aren’t meant to be epic blockbusters (though National Treasure and The Mummy stand in a league of their own). Still, the entertainment and escapism they provide aren’t for nothing, and it’s especially necessary for anyone in need of a palate cleanser from darker mediums at the moment.
Here’s the thing, though: what could have made the film go from good to great was the inclusion of romance. (Someone somewhere is rolling their eyes at this statement, but yes, romance can make or break or something.) The film’s beginning is so well stacked with romantic beats and sizzling banter that if we’d just kept it going to the end, the film could’ve been something more people would turn to when they need a comfort watch. And while sure, many parents might likely rewatch it more than once with their kids because of the streaming convenience, it’s not something most of us will return to the same way we do with The Mummy or, more recently, The Fall Guy.
Krasinski and González have such a dynamic and glittering chemistry that if we’d just fed the romantic beast a little more, it would have made the rest of the narrative that much more enticing. I turned to a friend right after the screening ended and said, “Why are people in Hollywood so scared of leaning into romance?” And no, everything doesn’t need a romance, but if we’re already playing with all the seeds and the story is right there, why not reach in fully and let it come to fruition? I digress.
Overall, Apple TV+’s Fountain of Youth is an appealing and fun movie that’s appropriately geared toward streaming at home. With a solid cast, the two hours pass by relatively quickly, and the sharp writing makes every beat thoroughly enjoyable. Without the sharp banter and Ritchie’s specific style, it’s hard to tell what the film would’ve been like, but it surely wouldn’t have been as good. Everything works because of the people who are involved, and more than the story that we’re watching unfold.
It’s also worth noting that the platonic relationships work to provide heart, while the scenic shots of various locations are also a solid selling point. Anything that’ll take me to London is a win in my book, even if it’s for a few minutes. Add in gorgeous costumes like everything Portman and González’s characters wear, and we have a bonus I’m 100% here for.
Fountain of Youth is now playing on Apple TV+.
First Featured Image | Official Poster Credit: ©Apple TV+