The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)

SPazzo · January 10, 2010, 09:02:37 PM

Has anyone else seen this yet? I just went to it this afternoon and I really liked it. I've been a fan of Gilliam for a while now (ever since I saw Brazil) so I was really looking forward to this.

The plot? That's a little hard to explain. It's hard to decide where to begin. Basically it's this man named Dr. Parnassus who (SPOILERS)

used to be a monk, has some sweet powers, made a deal with the devil, and is an alcoholic. I don't really know how I can explain it further without just writing a whole damn plot synopsis.

(/SPOILERS)

Anyway, it IS Heath Ledger's last movie, but he isn't really in it much. I was pretty tired when I watched this, (and am pretty tired now) but I honestly didn't really notice when it changed from Ledger to Depp and the other guys who replaced him. (Jude Law and.....?)

This probably makes this movie sound pretty pathetic, but I really do suggest going to go see it. I just hope that the Last Heath Ledger Movie will draw in some crowds so Gilliam can get some money and FINALLY finish The Man Who Killed Don Quixote .

Leah · January 10, 2010, 09:12:27 PM

yeah, i've seen it

Rev. Powell · January 10, 2010, 10:46:14 PM

I'm hoping to see it next week.

Trevor · January 11, 2010, 01:05:01 AM

The only reason that I would like to see this is because of what Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp did with their salaries for the film ~ they put them in trust for Mathilda Ledger, Heath's daughter.

The Burgomaster · January 11, 2010, 10:09:06 AM

The title reminds me too much of MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM.

SPazzo · January 11, 2010, 11:52:27 PM

Quote from: The Burgomaster on January 11, 2010, 10:09:06 AM
The title reminds me too much of MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM.

That's what I thought at first, but it's not even close to anything like Mr. Magorium.

dean · January 17, 2010, 01:38:48 AM

Great film with some sweet visuals. It reminds me of why I love Gilliam's visual style and concept art. Waites does a good job too as the Devil.

Fausto · January 17, 2010, 09:22:56 AM

Saw this last night. I had heard this was supposed to be a return to form for Gilliam, and I have to say, it reminded me an awful lot of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. One thing that surprised me....

SPOILER ALERT

....was Ledger's character. It sets it up for him to be redeemed, only to reveal him as an irrideemable prick later on. We have a character played by not one but four leading male actors who turns out to be the villain. Obviously it would have had a much different ending had Ledger lived. I was also struck by the paralells between Gilliam and Parnassus, both showmen who find it increasingly difficult to present fantasies to an increasingly cynical, skeptical and technologically advanced society.

SPOILER END

As someone who loves weird movies (your mileage may vary), I was very impressed. Go see it in the theatres while you have a chance.

Rev. Powell · January 25, 2010, 01:43:56 PM

I thought it was good, not great. If you love Gilliam fantasies it will give you the fix you need, but I wouldn't rank it alongside MUNCHAUSEN or TIME BANDITS. Visuals were a lot of fun and Waits was very good.

Quote from: Fausto on January 17, 2010, 09:22:56 AM
Obviously it would have had a much different ending had Ledger lived.

I would say possibly, not obviously.