The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Starring: Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Collin Farrell, Christopher Plummer

Directed by: Terry Gilliam

Reviewed by: Conor Flynn






Over the years it has become a bit of a reviewing cliché to compare Gilliam’s visual style to that of a Hieronymus Bosch painting, and if that is the case, this latest film is his most fully realised piece in years; frenzied and disturbed, but gleeful for those who enjoy their humour abstract. To give you a feeling of what the film is like, it ultimately harks back to Gilliam’s earlier work, most notably ‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ and ‘Time Bandits’. It is also important to note that this film marks the final role of Heath Ledger…

Doctor Parnassus (Plummer) manages a travelling theatre company with his daughter Valentine (Lily Cole), her friend Anton (Andrew Garfield) and Percy the dwarf (Verne Troyer). They invite ticket buyers to walk inside a magical mirror which reflects their own imaginations. It seems that Doctor Parnassus has made a deal with Mr. Nick (Tom Waits) using the mirror. This deal becomes more complicated with the arrival of Tony (Ledger), who they find hanging from a bridge…

It’s difficult not to be dazzled by the master stoke Gilliam used to salvage this film after the death of Heath Ledger during mid-production. Cleverly Gilliam asked various actors to fill in Ledger’s missing scenes. It’s pulled off magnificently and because of the surreal nature of the film, in feels natural; you never question the abrupt change of actor when it happens. As for the acting itself, it’s a mixed bag of excellent and unimpressive. In the key role of Tony, played by Ledger, Depp, Law and Farrell, Depp is the most assured inside Gilliam’s universe, Law charms as usual and Farrell manages his best as the film inevitably begins to fall apart. After his chaotic award winning performance as the Joker in the ‘The Dark Knight,’ it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to discover that Ledger is more restrained here. Is Ledger’s final appearance memorable? Personally I don’t think so; but it’s far removed from any of his previous work and once again demonstrates that Ledger was easily one the most versatile actors of his generation.

It’s rather surprising then to learn that it’s the overshadowed stars that impress most. Tom Waits is great fun to watch as the devilish Mr. Nick, while model turned actress Lily Cole leaves an indelible mark amongst the acting heavyweights, but it is Christopher Plummer in the role of Doctor Parnassus who steals the show. Plummer’s sublime performance is the backbone to the film, both subtle and enchanting.

The film is a genuine return to form for Gilliam after the disaster that was ‘The Brothers Grimm’. Granted the storytelling is just about coherent, but if you overlook the frenzied structure of the plot, you’ll find the film extremely giddy and heart-warming stuff.