The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

E-mail Subscription

Receive an e-mail notification of new posts on this site:

Horrorphile - October 2009

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

October 21st 2009 05:31

This movie was always going to provide rich fodder for the critics and will no doubt be devoured by audiences hungry for one last performance morsel of Heath Ledger, especially knowing he died during the making, resulting in co-writer and director Terry Gilliam would end up making not one, but two, dedications to the late Australian actor at the end of the movie (“A movie from Heath Ledger and friends” and a few title cards later “In memory of Heath Ledger …”).

This is the third time Gilliam has collaborated with screenwriter Charles McKeown, having penned the brilliant Brazil (1985) and the dreadful Adventures of Baron Munchausen together. Doctor Parnassus is certainly no Brazil, but it’s safe to say it’s not another Baron Munchausen either, thank God for that! It’s darker, existential ideas lean more toward the former, but ultimately it suffers from the same overkill trappings as the latter.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer as Dr. Parnassus

The premise is simple enough, as it pulls from the Faustian tale of selling your soul to the devil and the devil haunting you to claim what he will. The movie also pays reference to Beckett’s seminal play Waiting For Godot, but those are more visual cues, such as the devil in a black suit and bowler hat and Tony walking with a noose around the neck. But most significantly and intriguingly is the movie’s elusive tribute to the director himself; Parnassus is Gilliam. The movie is a reflection of the director’s own artistic battles on the oceans of his imagination amidst the warships of commercialism and compromise.

Lily Cole as Valentina

It’s no secret that Gilliam has struggled many times in getting his visions to the big screen without them being torn asunder. And if they do make it into a finished movie, they don’t always work. His most critically successful movie, Brazil, was originally released in a heavily butchered “Love Conquers All” version that completely changed the thematic tone. Several years later Gilliam was able to release his own intended version which restored 50 minutes of footage and re-instated the director’s bitter message of hopeless grief.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger as Tony

In another infamous attempt Gilliam tried unsuccessfully to bring the legendary tale of Don Quixote to the big screen back in the early 00s, but the production was plagued by disaster (a superb documentary, Lost in La Mancha, covers the directors trials and tribulations). Other adapted works have been partially successful (Twelve Monkeys) or surprisingly successful (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas).

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Tom Waits

Tom Waits as Mr. Nick

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield as Anton

Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) and his traveling Imaginarium sideshow have seen better days. His troupe consists of his pretty teenaged daughter Valentina (Lily Cole), who wants to leave the circus, so to speak, his cynical sidekick little person Percy (Verne Troyer), and handsome juggler and conjuror Anton (Andrew Garfeild). The Imaginarium offers audiences the chance to leave their humdrum reality for a moment (or two, or three, four, five …) by passing through a magical plastic curtain mirror and into a fantastical/phantastical alternate universe (not that the audience have any idea what’s really beyond the mirror).

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Verne Troyer

Verne Troyer as Percy

It’s quickly revealed, however, that Parnassus has been harbouring a terrible truth. For centuries (yes, he has been given the gift of immortality) he’s been in a perpetual gambling game with the devil, Mr. Nick (Tom Waits playing Tom Waits). Mr. Nick is eager to collect his prize, but he can’t help but extend the grueling gamble for just a little bit longer, it’s just too much fun. And the prize? Valentina, of course, once she reaches the ripe age of sixteen, which just so happens to be in a few days time.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp as Tony #1

Enter Tony (or George as he’s first called because he can’t remember his name), played by Heath Ledger. Tony in his crumpled white suit and ponytail has a dirty past in hot pursuit, so he’s keen to hide behind the masked disguise of ringmaster of the Imaginarium for the meantime. Anton becomes instantly jealous when he notices Valentina developing a crush on the disheveled charmer. In order to save his daughter from the clutches of Mr. Nick Parnassus becomes embroiled in one final bet (first one to collect five souls) with the master of fire and brimstone.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Jude Law

Jude Law as Tony #2

I wasn’t holding my breath on this one. From the trailer the movie looked dangerously like the overwhelming silliness of Baron Munchausen. It certainly indulges in flights of imaginary fancy, but for the most part these are compelling and not infuriating. There was only one scene where I felt Gilliam had slipped into Monty Python’s shoes of folly unnecessarily. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Monty Python, but the tone of humour – dancing coppers in drag making a mockery of police brutality - was ill-conceived.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell as Tony #3

The performances are uniformly excellent, but especially Lily Cole (an ex-model turned actor), Andrew Garfield (who was brilliant in Red Riding: 1974), and Christopher Plummer as the good Doctor. Heath does a decent job, but it’s nothing amazing, and his cockney accent wavers in and out. I always love watching Tom Waits on screen and he certainly seems to be enjoying himself in the role of the ultimate gamesman and tempter. As for the “cameo” performances of Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, who each play a version of Ledger’s Tony whilst inside the Imaginarium universe, they’re adequate. Colin can’t seem to fully shake his thick Irish brogue.

Parnassus, Valentina and Anton perform

In case you didn’t know, Depp, Law, and Farrell were brought in after Ledger died, to complete his role. Gilliam was incredibly lucky that he had all the right scenes of Ledger in the real world in the can, so that he could adapt and employ different actors to accommodate Ledger’s tragic absence and the narrative could still work successfully.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus movie poster

The production design and visual effects are stunning. It’s kind of like Gilliam’s mutant version of Alice in Wonderland; dark and wondrous, egocentric and indulgent. Curiously, though I loved being immersed in the vivid and extraordinary realms of the Imaginarium universe, I actually preferred the storytelling in the real world. I enjoyed the amusing banter and behaviour between the troupe, the grimy industrial locales the sideshow kept ending up in, the appearances of Mr. Nick. However I was most impressed by the visions provided by Parnassus’s flashback tale of his monk days and his first meeting with Mr. Nick which he begrudgingly spins for his daughter.

Despite the movie becoming a tad hysterical during the final quarter and almost losing its way, it does come together, the frayed ends of existence wavering in the cosmic breeze of the mind’s eye. I think I can be bold enough to say The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is up with Terry Gilliam’s best work; Brazil, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Time Bandits.

NB: It has a PG rating, but narratively and thematically it's not really children-friendly.

Here's the trailer:

Vote

Subscribe to this blog

Email this post to a friend

Go to the Orble Film Channel

Start your own blog

[ Link ]

Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

Related Posts:

Relate This Post

[ Previous - Sauna ]

[ Next - THE ART LAIR - XI ~ Joshua Hoffine ]

Comments

11 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Jason King

October 21st 2009 22:34

Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness

I have been meaning to get my review up for weeks on this one but thanks to dying of the flu I have not had the motivation to put my head into it. Will put it up next week before release.

Was not a fan. Visually breathtaking but I think for me you summed it up with this line.

slipped into Monty Python’s shoes of folly

I was never a Monty Python fan and surprisingly I actually enjoyed Baron Munchausen.

I think he does his best work when he actually directs and leaves the writing to others. That mind of his is too messed up for me

12 Monkeys, Fisher King, Fear and Loathing - all brilliant.

Comment by Bryn

October 21st 2009 23:35

Horrorphile

Jason, I tend to gravitate toward flights of fancy more so than safe anchors to the ground. However I really liked Fear and Loathing, even though I initially thought it would be unfilmable. Wasn't really a fan of Twelve Monkeys as I love the arty original French short it's based on La Jetee, and it paled in comparison. I find it curious though that you loved Baron Munchausen and not Doctor Parnassus, as they both feature similar visual indulgences. They're actually written by the same people too (Gilliam & McKeown). Mind you I hated Munchausen and walked out of it (a very rare occurrence for me). Y'see I actually really liked the narrative and characters of Parnassus. Did you like Brazil?

Comment by Jason King

October 22nd 2009 00:49

Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness

I have to admit that I have never seen Brazil or if so I cannot remember it. I do remember the DVD cover from when I worked in a video store a million years ago.

Comment by Bryn

October 22nd 2009 02:16

Horrorphile

Jason, you have to see Brazil. You'd remember it if you'd seen it. It's unforgettable. It's very dystopian, so not sure if it's entirely up your alley ...

There are two versions, make sure you see the director's cut (about 140mins), not the much shorter version.

Comment by JohnDoe

October 22nd 2009 15:25

Film & TV on DVD

Hi Bryn,

You know i am a huge Gilliam man myself but for some reason this one hasn't really got that 'must see" feel to it.

Maybe I am jaded by all the focus on Heath Ledger who i was never a fan of and a victim of bad marketing...your review intrigues, but this one will wait for DVD for me..

For the record i didn't mind the ludicrous Baron Munchausen, but do agree it was an uneven adventure.

Comment by Alex Schor

October 22nd 2009 16:17

psychocinemapath

Very incisive review. This film's been on my wish list ever since I first heard of it. I'll go see any Gilliam movie, no matter how good or bad it is, but I'm glad this new one is apparently good. I happen to like Munchausen, mainly for its scope, imagery, Robin Williams, Oliver Reed, and Uma Thurman. On the other hand, Brothers Grimm left me cold.

Comment by Bryn

October 23rd 2009 01:28

Horrorphile

JD, you should try and see the film on the big screen if you can. I'd like to know what you think.

Alex, I never got round to seeing Brothers Grimm, but most reports haven't been favourable.

No doubt Doctor Parnassus will leave some people cold, tis the nature of Gilliam's beast. Perhaps because I went in with lower expectations I came away with more ...

Comment by Mountain Fog

November 7th 2009 06:36

Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!

Hi Bryn,

I saw it last Monday. Firstly, the theatre had its sound system way over the top volume wise, the idiots must be deaf!

Then, enhanced by the volume, was the annoying over the top SFX on everything, even foot falls became unreal loud crunches at times.

Thirdly, the break down of logic; five souls, he gets a few ladies, then he gets four Russian gangsters in one hit, but we are told he is still short.

I may have missed something there, (as did my companion) but that put me off too. I think the CGI in the mirro was great, and yes, the policemen antics did seem to be a gratuitous self reference.

All in all, I will have to see it again, at home and away from the morons who blast audiences with auditorium sound, in order to give a more balanced opinion.

I liked Plummer, but not too much anyone else. Waits was okay, but I felt his performance hindered by the simple plot line. I also felt Verne Troyer could have been utilized much more than he was dramatically, sadly he was just written to play the weird little man part.

cheers

fog

Comment by Bryn

November 8th 2009 22:57

Horrorphile

Fog, shame about the screening shenanigans ... To be honest, I missed that breakdown in logic ... I think because I went into the screening with such low expectations (I hated Baron Munchausen, and assumed it would be similar), I came out having rather enjoyed myself. I did find the movie's last third felt rushed and messy though.

Comment by Mountain Fog

November 9th 2009 06:31

Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!

Hi Bryn,
I haven't seen the Munchausen film, when did that come out?
And pondering upon the five souls thang, maybe it was souls that entered and willingly gave themselves to Old Nick inside, we only saw the first woman do that, with the sleezy hotel and snake, but if so, it wasn't clear, well to me at least. As the original bet was "five souls in two(?) days". It has me puzzled. Let me know what you think when you see it again, or review it on DVD.

cheers

fog

Comment by psychocinemapath

November 16th 2009 18:56

psychocinemapath

[SIZE=2]Bryn--and anyone else who's interested--you can read my own two cents' on Parnassus through my blog review, which I just put up. Hope you enjoy it.[SIZE]

[ Previous - Sauna ]

[ Next - THE ART LAIR - XI ~ Joshua Hoffine ]

Add A Comment

To create a fully formatted comment please click here.

CLICK HERE TO LOGIN | CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Name or Orble Tag

Home Page (optional)

Comments

Notify me of replies

Notify extra people about this comment

Is this a private comment?

List the Email Addresses or Orble Tags of the people you would like to be notified about this comment

One per line max of 30

List the Email Addresses or Orble Tags of the people you would like to be notified about this private comment thread. Only the people in this list will be able to see or reply to your comment.

One per line max of 30

Your Name
(for the email going out to the above list, it can be different to your Orble Tag)

Your Email Address

(optional)

(required for reply notification)

Submit

February 2010

4 Posts

January 2010

12 Posts

December 2009

13 Posts