My imagination looks like a sweet shop! (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (DVD))

Member Name: magenta23

Product:	The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (DVD)
Date:	29/10/09 (121 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A fabulous cast and like nothing you'll have see before

Disadvantages: I imagine it's probably not for everyone

****This is film only review****

The other day I went to see one of the most unusual, compelling and downright bizarre films I've ever seen. If you want a film which is escapist then this is it, a complete fantasy world. If you go with an open mind, not expecting everything to make sense, like me you will probably forget anything that's been bothering you in the real world for a couple of hours. That, in my eyes makes a film a winner. The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus is a winner.

It's a shame in a way that the story behind the production of this film has taken the publicity over what a fine film it is, though I suppose with the very nature of the film being a little bizarre it's fairly fitting that the making of it has it's own twists and turns.

As many of you will be aware, the lead role of Tony in this film was due to be played by the late Heath Ledger, who passed away mid production. The film was destined never to be finished until three other actors, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell stepped in to make sure the world got to see Ledger's last performance. So how did this work? Luckily this isn't like a film version of Sunset Beach where every five minutes a new actor is playing the same character which no real explanation. In fact, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus is probably the only film where three actors could play the same role and the audience wouldn't be thrown at all, largely because the rest is far more crazy, a little thing like the character having a new face won't throw you!

Reading an interview, where with all respect to Heath Ledger, director Terry Gilliam considers the timing quite 'lucky' in that he'd filmed all the required scenes in the 'real world.' For you to understand what's meant by this I'll give you a bit of plot.

The film follows the thousand year old Dr Parnassus and his travelling theatre group as they take their show, and it's highlight a magic mirror, around London offering people the chance to enter their own imagination through the mirror. Once through the mirror they enter a fantasy world, controlled by Dr, Parnassus who has been given the power to control imaginations after a bargain with the devil. What were the conditions of this bargain? Well, I don't want to give too much away so I'll let you watch and find out for yourselves. Along the way they 'rescue' a stranger, Tony, who has been left for dead and seems to have forgotten his memory. A fast paced rush to beat the devil leads to them finding the truth of who Tony really is along the way, though, or course he has quite a few faces!

Heath Ledger had filmed all the scenes involving Tony, before entering the mirror. The other three actors played him on the other side, in his imagination, so you see how this works. Rather, than just solving a problem and allowing the film to be finished, this element adds a new dimension to the film and his constant change on appearance when entering the mirror becomes somewhat of a running joke within the plot.

So what is Heath Ledger's final performance like? Well I'd say good. Not overwhelming, but ok. After all he is playing someone who has presumably lost his memory, it's hard to be over charismatic when that's your brief. It's a shame in a way that actor's such as Johnny Depp were chosen to play the same part, because Depp, and in fact Jude Law outshine Ledger on performance in my opinion. Maybe, though had Heath got the chance to film the 'mirror' scenes he would have had the chance to embellish the character more, as these are the best scenes of the movie. Part of me wondered whether it would have been better for 'The Joker' to have been Ledger's last role so that's what he would have been remembered for, because this performance doesn't live up to it. Depp, for me is by far the best 'Tony,' though blink and you'll miss him, as he's not there for long. Jude Law is also surprisingly brilliant and Colin Farrell, well he's the fourth best! He poses his way though more script that Depp and Law, let's face it probably only because he had more time on his hands.

The cast is by no means lead by the 'Tonys' however, this film give equal exposure to all the actors, and the treats don't stop at having four of the world's most attractive men on the billing. Dr. Parnassus himself is brilliantly played by Christopher Plummer. I'm still unsure what to make of the character. One minute he's the wise man, next the drunk, victim, father, gambler and hero. I change my mind about him every few minutes throughout the film, and this as with many other things, is one of the reasons I think this film needs a second if not third watch. Lily Cole gives a good performance as Parnassus' daughter, Valentina and Andrew Garfield isn't bad as The show magician, Anton, though it's difficult for him to shine alongside Ledger and Depp. My favourite two characters and indeed performances of the film however, are from Tom Waits as Mr Nick (the devil) and Verne Troyer as Percy, the travelling show's dwarf. Tom Waits makes an excellent devil, suited and booted with 'tasche and cigar, maybe a little obvious portrayal but successful none the less. Percy, as you would expect provides many of the films comic lines (of which there are many), but he's more than just a funny character. He is kind hearted and seems to be the one to look out for Parnassus. Verne Troyer is great and proves there's more to his acting than comedy.

The film is a mixture of amazing state of the art special effects and some special effects that er, aren't so special. There are points in the film when you think Gilliam has stolen some effects from Monty Python, but I think this mix of slick and well, not so slick adds to the charm, craziness and uniqueness of it all. I also love the juxtaposition of the real world and the fantasy world, one minute we are a world of floating on clouds giant shoes and butterflies and the next we're outside Homebase! For Londoners there's lots of familiar places and I loved it when I recognised a street and thought, I've stood where Dr. Parnassus is right now!!

Overall, this is must see. I went with four other friends, three of us loved it, one was just completely bemused and the other didn't like it at all, but all agreed it was like nothing we'd ever seen before. If you are like me and your favourite things in the world are Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton, and Roald Dahl books then you'll love it, if you prefer shoot em ups and car chases then you probably won't.

It may suffer at little with a not very inspiring plot and the acting being a little patchy in places but I don't think it matters. If the plot were too challenging I think it would be impossible to get your head round, the point of this film is it's about characters and visual spectacle, and on that it delivers. There are some scenes where I felt I didn't have enough eyes to take it all in. I'm writing this on one watch but I came out the cinema, not only wanting to see it again, but feeling I needed to, I must have missed bits.

For those going to see this look out for a few poignant and or funny moments -
*The first time we see Heath Ledger as Tony, supposedly dead, sends shiver and if his cause of death has been different I doubt this would ever have been released.
*Percy's explanation of why he's a dwarf, not a midget.
*Homebase!
*Policemen in stockings
*Johnny Depp's very Jack Sparrow-esque "err!"
*A brief appearance form Paloma Faith

Conclusion - SEE IT!

Summary: A treat for the eyes, and I'm not just talking about Mr. Depp!!.