IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS

IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS

Leave it to Terry Gilliam to use the quirkiness of the story as a device to overcome the death of the start.

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" was officially Heath Ledger's last film. But while the film was still shooting, Heath took a break to New York and... well... died.

However, Ledger finished a complete segment - and the film is set in segments - so Gilliam went on and completed the film using three other actors (Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law) to complete Ledgers character.

The story is so off-beat, it works. In particular it works with Gilliams style.

Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) runs a strange Twilight Zone-like traveling show. He is accompanied by his gaunt looking daughter Valentina (Lily Cole), a young man named Anton (Andrew Garfield), and mysterious stranger Tony (Heath Ledger).

They travel about the country putting on their show during which time he makes bets with the devil (Tom Waits).

Most of the show has Ledger passing through a magical mirror to the other side. This is when the other Tony's take over portraying different personae of Tony on the other side.

But the good doctor has made a few pacts with the devil, in the guise of Mr. Nick (Tom Waits). His first deal was selling his soul for immortality. He then traded that for prolonged youth and in doing so promised his first born when that child comes of age; his daughter Valentina.

Now he wants to make another deal and Mr Nick is listening. It seems the closer Valentina gets to the age, the more the doctor wants to save her.

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" is as off-beat as anything Gilliam has done. Gilliam is responsible for such whacko stuff like "The Adventures of Baron von Munchausen", "Twelve Monkey's", "The Fisher King", "Time Bandits" and "The Brothers Grimm". I can truthfully say I was confused at some point in time during each of those films.

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" is just as off-beat, but for some reason... it works.

Of the three replacement Tony's Colin Farrell is the best... as it were. Depp seemed like he would work, but he needs to build up ahead of steam, this role doesn't provide in the time. Nevertheless, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" is worth seeing if for nothing more that to see the fanciful way Gilliam pulls it off. It'll be on limited release for awards consideration - which it won't get. --GEOFFREY BURTON

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