Fountain of Youth
Review by Ryan Michael Painter
I’ve stopped watching trailers, limit my time on movie websites, and often ignore the details of press releases when it comes to a film that I already know I’ll be watching. All I knew about Fountain of Youth was that it starred John Krasinski as some variation of the Indiana Jones character and would be coming to Apple TV+ on May 23, 2025.
I didn’t realize Natalie Portman was involved until she appeared on screen. I somehow managed to miss that the film was directed by Guy Ritchie until I sat down to write this review. I like surprises. Give me all the surprises. More importantly, wrap those surprises in a good film.
So, is Fountain of Youth a good film?
125 Minutes, Rated PG-13
Written by James Vanderbilt
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Synopsis:
Fountain of Youth follows two estranged siblings (John Krasinski and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman) who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives … and possibly lead to immortality.
Krasinski stars as Luke Purdue, a thief with archeological interests. Portman is Charlotte Purdue, Luke’s sister, who has left the adventurous life behind to be a mother and has as little contact with her brother as possible. Charlotte’s marriage has fallen apart. Hunting down mythological artifacts is less important than the happiness of her young son. Still, Luke is persistent. Persistent to the point of needing a restraining order.
Luke has been hired by Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), a wealthy individual with questionable ethics who claims to be dying, to locate the legendary Fountain of Youth. Charlotte isn’t convinced. However, she finds herself drawn to the challenge. Luke won’t succeed without a roomful of people to do the hard thinking while he makes it up as he goes.
Luke and his team are hounded by a group of true believers who live only to protect the fountain’s power from falling into the wrong hands and an Interpol agent who simply wants to arrest Luke for one of his many crimes.
Fountain of Youth is more National Treasure than it is Indiana Jones. That isn’t intended as an insult, I prefer Indiana Jones, but there is always fun to be had when Nick Cage is involved. Krasinski isn’t quite as stoic as Harrison Ford or as unpredictable as Cage. However, he’s just likable enough to play a sociopath without instantly losing the audience. Luke might be redeemable. Most likely not. Still, the possibility makes all the difference.
Ritchie, who is more versatile than he’s often given credit for, is operating in blockbuster mode (rather than gritty indie cinema mode). Fountain of Youth feels a little more subdued than Riche’s Sherlock Holmes films or his last movie, the overlooked The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, but there’s a nice pace, a solid mix of action and family drama that allows this romp to entertain. Ritchie doesn’t take many risks (which is unusual). Nonetheless, he’s made a perfectly entertaining popcorn film that will entertain the whole family when the summer heat becomes too oppressive.
It probably should have been given a theatrical release. The quality is certainly there.
Fountain of Youth comes to Apple TV+ on May 23 and stars John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, Arian Moayed, Laz Alonso, Carmen Ejogo, with Stanley Tucci.
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