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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus 2009
This wacky fantasy (from the wild imagination of filmmaking giant and former Monty Python Terry Gilliam) is about Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium' - a travelling show where members of the audience get an opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. It's also about the Doctor's quest to get his daughter paired off to a nice man before the Devil (Tom Waits!) claims her.
Terry Gilliam's film is already infamous for the tragic death of Heath Ledger, who passed away during filming. Gilliam hatched a plan: he got Ledger's friends Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law to came on board and play the same character in different versions. They donated their fee for appearing in the film to Ledger's daughter, Matilda.
Starring Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Verne Troyer, Lily Cole
Directed by Terry Gilliam ('Monty Python and the Holy Grail', 'Brazil', 'Twelve Monkeys', 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas', 'The Brothers Grimm')
Written by Terry Gilliam, Charles McKeown
Mystery, Fantasy, Adventure | 2hr 2mins | Rated (PG) | contains violence | Origin: France, Canada, UK
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Flicks review
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An immortal monk strikes a deal with the devil and the scene is set for a carnivalesque cornucopia of madcap mayhem.
Despite some seamless use of computer-generated imagery, there’s a charming sense that Terry Gilliam’s latest film could have been made thirty-odd years ago. A timeless, raggedy, throwback appeal makes this fantasy feel like something the ex-Python could have created much earlier in a career notoriously plagued with disaster.
Most notably disastrous here, of course, was the passing of Heath Ledger during production. Three other big name actors – Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell – take over the character respectively whenever Ledger goes through the magical curtain and, miraculously, it seems to work. That is until the odd ending arrives, the meaning of which is so vague that a hastily reworked screenplay seems evident.
But I reckon this is Gilliam’s best film in ages. It’s a fun curiousity; nonsensical and proud of it. The imaginarium brings with it mind-boggling scenes of fantasy and dreamlike delusions. Much like the titular travelling sideshow, Parnassus is a rickety ride, but it's worth stepping right up and taking a trip beyond the curtain...By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
The Peoples voice
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Tom Waits
5
Tom Waits is in this - he plays The Devil. He's amazing. I quote him, "There's no devil, there's only God when he's drunk"...
By BM
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Worst film I've seen this year
1
Rambling and shambolic
By Alyson
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Funny and Boring
3
Good movie if you are looking for a laugh. However it is a little boring and it can send you off to sleep so eat heaps of popcorn and sugarly drinks to stay awake.
By Billierose
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Really cool film
4
I thought it was excellent once it got going. Heath Ledger was excellent, I did though think Colin Farrell, Jude Law, and Johnny Depp were average, but some how the film seemed to work with them in it. Overall 4/5 stars from me.
By Darren
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Takes its time to unfold a beautiful story
5
By Steve
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A rambling mess, a bad acid trip at best.
2
The computer graphics and incredible imagination scenes aside, this movie just doesn't deliver. Too many ideas, not enough coherent implementation.
By Sim
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Breathtaking
5
I am going to see it again. Maybe a few times. And buy the DVD. It was pure magic. A perfect film - beautiful, entertaining and deep enough. Performances-wise - Heath L was more Depp than Depp, Jude Law does not deserve a mention (same as Farell), Waits was awesome but I kept wondering what Gary Oldman would do in his place. The Dr. Parnassus guy was pretty good. Lily Cole - I still think one should be a fan of underage chicks to enjoy but she was just right for this one. Dominic M was cool - did not see the hobbit in him in any case. Gilliam-wise - beats the crap out of the Grimm Brothers by 500%, does not turn you inside out like Tideland (I mean that in a good way) and well... damn still haven't seen Brazil so can't say. The kind of film that reminds me why I love film in the first place - imagination, wisdom and lots of questions - true art. It's all about choices yet passes no judgement. Really exceptional.
By OM
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5
Great imaginative pic, sad to see Heath Ledger
By Missy
Press Reviews
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Empire (UK)
3 3 out of 5 stars
There are thrilling flashes of Gilliam getting back to top form here. A scrappy movie with more ideas than it can control, but one born out of a passion and determination that are wholly infectious.
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Filmink (Australia)
A hard to fathom storyline and obvious CGI effects detract from an otherwise big-hearted final film for Heath Ledger.
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Hollywood Reporter
The first big question about Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" involves how the filmmaker managed to complete the film when his star Heath Ledger died in the middle of shooting. The answer is with great imagination and skill. The second big question is whether Gilliam has produced something to rank with his great fantasies "Time Bandits" and "Brazil," and the answer is sadly no.
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Otago Daily Times (Mark Orton)
2 2 out of 5 stars
After two hours of captivating eye-candy and spot-the-cameo moments, it's hard to figure out the point of the whole thing.
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Total Film (UK)
3 3 out of 5 stars
Gilliam’s plotting is typically ramshackle, but the fantasy visions are wondrous. Top job of rescuing Heath Ledger’s cruelly curtailed contribution, too.
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Variety (USA)
Many Ledger fans certainly will turn out just to see his final performance. But it's genuinely interesting to see how, under duress, Gilliam contrived to work the other actors into the role.
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