THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASUS (English / PG 13)
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy/Mystery
Release Date: 31 December 2009
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics/LionsGate
Director: Terry William
Producers: Samuel Hadida, Andy Gilliam, William Vince, Terry William
Writer: Terry William, Charles McKeown
Casts: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Verne Troyer, Lily Cole, Andrew Garfield
Plot: Dr. Parnassus has the extraordinary gift of inspiring the imaginations of others. Helped by his traveling theatre troupe, including his sarcastic and cynical sidekick Percy and versatile young player Anton, Parnassus offers audience members the chance to transcend mundane reality by passing through a magical mirror into a fantastic universe of limitless imagination. However, Parnassus' magic comes at a price. For centuries he's been gambling with the devil, Mr. Nick who is coming to collect his prize -- Parnassus' precious daughter, Valentina on her upcoming 16th birthday.
THE VERDICT
The last performance by Heath Ledger on his short-span but colourful filmography career deserved a well respect. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasus was the last film featured by him but tragic struck before he was able to finish the shooting. Fear not, in the lights of Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, the highly imaginative feature was able to continue. Perhaps, this film is truly an emotional experience to see the young star had left us.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasus is not only about creating and indulging our own imaginative reflections of our current lifestyle. Be it, it features one of the most bizzare experience where the relinquish story of how a man gamble his options with the Devil for own's desire can be seen. This movie is like a sideshow on the version of Doctor Parnasus' life, the life where an object and image on the piece of fine mirror can be seen. Terry Gilliam's work seems dark but beauty, and it will constantly reminds you about life in two ways.
The anchor is however not all about Heath Ledger. As I have said, the uses of highly imaginative features of time travelling and fantasy are the greatest thing about this movie. Gilliam's display uses wild invention of characters and plots, bizarre as you can noticed but the road was made cleared by Gilliam. I was impressed by how the plot seems remain intact despite the sudden death of Ledger. The uses of different imaginarium of Tony (played by Depp, Law and Farrell for Ledger) are essentially important and fit-in well.
Now, here is the problem. The story isn't easily accessible. The story plot is not thick but it will hardly get anything out of it to penetrate our understanding. It was never easy to watch any of those Terry Williams' but I have to say this movie is also a bit wasted because it lacks the necessary to evolve into something bigger. Audiences may also find it too much to handle all of the visionary and ideas around it. But the old man did some decent job to get the story telling going despite its awkwardness.
Heath Ledger has already won an Oscar, although posthumously. Nevertheless, his acting is always as charming as ever and I do believe if he still live through the days to come, he will be even bigger. Ledger controls the set of the messy stage, turning in a great effort to steer to wandering souls beyond the wildness of imagination. Nevertheless, each time some one steps into the imagination, Ledger's character transformed all over, thanks to his friends - Depp, Law and Farrell. Christopher Plummer is always enchanting, just like his character, absolutely a legend that deserves an immortal respect. His character is been grumpy and intoxicated by alcohols, some challenge that he is effortless managed to tackle.
The film represents a very artistic independent film where I believed many will be impressed by Gilliam's presentation of human imagination. Cognitive, well-preserved moderately cinematographic and smart use of CGI made this movie very beautiful and dark. This movie may not easily penetrates your skull but do enjoy the love of visionary and outstanding performance by Ledger. Truly this is a film made by Heath Ledger and friends. RIP Heath Ledger.
THE RATING:
Story - 3.0 stars
Casts - 3.5 stars
Cinematography - 3.5 stars
Effects - 3.5 stars
OVERALL - 3.0 stars
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 13.2