The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Theatrical sideshow, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, trundles along the nighttime streets of modern-day London, with its occupants – Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), daughter Valentina (Lily Cole), Percy (Verne Troyer) and Anton (Andrew Garfield) offering a surreal, mystical performance piece in which some lucky members of the audience are allowed to enter the imaginary world of the ancient mystic. Where exactly they end up depends upon the purity and goodness of their soul – with some emerging reborn while others end up in the hands of the devil (played by Tom Waits). Into this world stumbles Tony (Heath Ledger), who Anton and Valentina rescue when they discover him grimly hanging beneath Blackfriars Bridge. Who is the mysterious stranger? Who tried to murder him? And why does he seem so happy to join this band of mysterious players? Are his intentions as honourable and innocent as they seem?

It’s impossible to approach Terry Gilliam’s latest offering without the knowledge that one of its leads – Ledger – died in the middle of the shoot. Ledger had completed much of the film, but crucial scenes remained to be shot, prompting a re-write that allowed fellow actors Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell to step in to his shoes. Given that the shoot experienced such tragedy, you’d have to have a hard heart indeed not to approach any viewing with a certain level of sympathy, and it is undoubtedly disconcerting to view Ledger’s final scenes on celluloid – particularly his grisly introduction hanging from a noose. In short, you’ll really want to like this movie… so it’s just a shame that Gilliam and co-screenwriter Charles McKeown make it so hard.

Yes, the film looks fantastic, and the imaginary world of Parnassus is vividly realised by utilising a welter of special effects. The problem is not so much in the visuals, but in the actual story, which sadly lacks pacing, suspense or clarity. Although Gilliam’s successfully creates a fantastical alternative universe, the story lacks the clear moral signposts that drive the most effective fairy tales. On the plus side, supermodel Lily Cole proves something of a revelation in her debut movie appearance, and Ledger provides an enigmatic end note to his career in the form of the white-suited Tony; the movie would have been a more cohesive piece of work had he completed his performance. Fans of Gilliam’s work may find much to admire here, but others are just as likely to be left vexed and frustrated.

Last edited: 27th March 2010

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