The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

"Can you put a price on your dreams?"

Ancient Doctor Parnassus (Plummer) has the ability to give a person the desires of their heart through his Imaginarium.  With the help of his daughter Valentina (Cole), Anton (Garfield) who is an expert at slight of hand, and his lifelong friend, Percy (Troyer), Parnassus tries to get people to enter the Imaginarium.  But business is slow and spirits are bleak... especially Parnassus who dreads Valentina's upcoming birthday and the secret that threatens to ruin his life.

On her 16th birthday, Valentina's soul will belong to Mr. Nick (Waits), as payment for a bet made between Nick and Parnassus many years before.  But Mr. Nick is in a gaming mood and makes a new bet with Parnassus: the first person to get 5 souls in the Imaginarium will get Valentina.

Meanwhile, Valentina, Anton and Percy rescue a man who is hanging beneath the bridge.  He is still alive, but has no memory... so they take him along.  His name is Tony (Ledger) and he offers to help Parnassus: they upgrade the show and try to get paying customers.  They drag Tony into the Imaginarium where a new side emerges (Depp, Law, and Farrell)...  Will Mr. Nick play fair, or will Valentina be lost forever?

I have been excited about this film for a long time.  Terry Gilliam, the writer / director, is amazing.  His films always have a fantasy element and get better with each viewing.  I was excited to see an original story (the last few have been adaptations), and I loved that he was reteaming with Heath Ledger (The Brothers Grimm)...  After Ledger's death and the announcement that the film with continue, I was intrigued with the idea of 3 more actors stepping in to play his part.

And this film was worth the wait...  The world of the Imaginarium is stunning.  The effects and costumes are fantastic (the art direction and costumes were nominated for Academy Awards in 2009) and full of whimsy.

The story is interesting and probably improves with multiple viewings (I only saw it once)... and while I know it was not part of the original script, I love the way the filmmakers made Tony change inside the Imaginarium.  These performances enhance the character of Tony and give the audience clues about his character / personality.  Johnny Depp has the shortest screen time, which is a shame.  He is a good choice as the first Tony: with the mask on, at first you think he is Ledger.  A short but memorable part.  Jude Law appears next, on the run from the mob...  Colin Farrell is the third appearance, with the most screen time, and gets to chase the girl.  While these Tony's are a highlight... the film belongs to Tom Waits who steals every scene.  Verne Troyer gets the best lines and has a fun chemsitry with Christopher Plummer's Parnassus.  Andrew Garfield and Lily Cole are also well cast.

Not what I expected, but still excellent.  I look forward to viewing this film again!



The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) 123 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for violent images, some sensuality, language and smoking.
Director: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Heath Ledger as Tony
Christopher Plummer as Doctor Parnassus
Verne Troyer as Percy
Lily Cole as Valentina
Andrew Garfield as Anton
Tom Waits as Mr. Nick
Johnny Depp as Imaginarium Tony #1
Jude Law as Imaginarium Tony #2
Colin Farrell as Imaginarium Tony #3