Siblings Luke (John Krasinski) and Charlotte Purdue (Natalie Portman) haven’t spoken since the death of their father, who was something of an unorthodox archeologist. And since we’re introduced to Luke as he’s running through Bangkok after stealing a piece of art, the rock obviously didn’t roll far from the pyramid. Charlotte, on the other hand, is a curator at the British Museum. Her comparatively normal life is upended when Luke shows up not so much as to reconnect as to steal a Rembrandt.
According to Papa Purdue, six Renaissance paintings hold the key to finding a hidden treasure. As you might have guessed from the movie’s title, it’s not the Holy Grail or the Knights Templar's treasure. No, it’s the Fountain of Youth (now streaming on AppleTV+). Luke is working for Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), a terminally ill billionaire, who is willing to do anything to prolong his life. Since she can’t go back to work (leaving with the art thief, who happens to be your brother, in a speeding Shelby Cobra does look suspicious), and with her estranged husband suddenly sent abroad for work, Charlotte and her son, Thomas (Benjamin Chivers), have to tag along.
Their first stop is raising the Lusitania (yes, really), before going to Austria, and ultimately Cairo. At every stop Luke finds himself fighting and flirting with Esme (Eliza Gonzalez), a mysterious and deadly woman whose secret sect is tasked with protecting the Fountain until humanity is ready for it. Also in pursuit is Inspector Abbas (Arian Moayed) of Interpol.
Yes, this is a very violent movie, and lots of unnamed mercenaries are gunned down, but it’s bloodless and mostly noise. Aside from some sly taking of the Lord’s name in vain and Charlotte overindulging on free champagne, Fountain of Youth is old-fashioned family movie night mayhem.
In Matthew 19:24 Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Owen Carver operates on the idea that he can use his unlimited funds to buy health and eternal life, but he ultimately comes up short.
Despite holding degrees in film and English literature, when it comes to movies there’s only one thing I ask for: beautiful people in exotic locations doing exciting things. Perhaps it’s unfair to put Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece To Catch a Thief in the same category as the popcorny (emphasis on corny) Fountain of Youth from director Guy Ritchie. And yet it manages to check all the boxes. (Rated PG-13, Skydance, Apple TV+, Prime Video).
About the Author
Trevor Denning is an alumni of Cornerstone University and lives, lifts weights, and spends too much time in his kitchen in Alma, Mich. His first short story collection is St. George Drive and Other Stories.