The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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Doctor Parnassus is a monk who meet Mr. Nick, for all assumed purposes is Lucifer. Parnassus makes a deal with Mr. Nick for eternal life, the powers of imagination, and a love that was lost. The agreement was that any child born would be given to Mr. Nick at the age of sixteen. Years later, Parnassus owns a traveling theater group with his daughter Valentina, Anton (an orphan he rescued), ans Percy (Parnassus' adviser). Days before Valentina's sixteenth birthday Parnassus gets trapped in another deal with Mr. Nick to see who would be the first to claim five souls in three days. Tony, a man found hanging from the side of a bridge, may be Parnassus last hope in keeping his daughter. 


This film was directed by Terry Gilliam. This is a break through for director Gilliam who had previous trouble producing a film that allowed him creative freedom. This film face a major complication during filming. Heath Ledger, Tony, died during the filming process. The project was halted for a while, but the director took a unique turn that allowed the film to be finished. Tony travel's into the mirror to enter the imaginary world built within Parnassus' mind, and the mind of the person who chooses to enter. Each of the three times he enter's the mirror his face undergoes a slight change; Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Colin Farrell took up the call to help finish the film. Naturally, the fact that one of the actor's died during production does leave its impact on the film, as it tends to do. 


"Nothing is permanent. Not even death," Tony. This is an odd film that takes audience's into pure imagination, and the story line (if you get into the deep details of it) might not be the easiest to understand at first. This film caters to a film audience's who enjoy watching artistic films with a very unique story. It is a dark modern fairy tale. Parnassus uses a mirror as a gateway into imagination which is combated with ignorance, provided by Mr. Nick. The worlds of imagination are done with computer animated technology meaning that the actors had to act with a green screen. This is a different turn for director Gilliam that paid off greatly. It also works that there is no set location or time for this film in the real world. It's a ride of dying imagination. A lot of this film also relies on the story between the characters. The cast turned out to have great chemistry together, and it pulls audience's into the story more. 

Christopher Plummer plays the role of Doctor Parnassus. He puts on another great performance in those role. He keeps the character from being unlikable to highly sympathetic. Lily Cole played the role of Valentina. The unusual features of her body add to the imagination of the film, and her talent creates a teenager who is caught in strange world. Verne Troyer, Percy, is a great relief in this film. He adds a lot of levity and sanity to the chaos. Andrew Garfield, Anton, was good in this film. He didn't stand out next to the other cast members, and didn't fully create the sympathetic hero that needed to be there. Heath Ledger, as the original Tony, was great. He gave an unsavory character depth and heart. Through the course of the film he tries to redeem his past. Johnny Depp did a great job being the first transitional face for Tony. Jude Law did great as the secondary face for Tony. Colin Farrell was also great as the third face for Tony. Neither of them spent a lot of time on screen, but there presence was felt. They added new layers to the character that was great for the film. Tom Waits, Mr. Nick, did a great job in creating an twisted and oily character. He made the perfect villain for this film. 


I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It's a great film full of imagination. It's made for a special type of audience though. 


Answer to last blog: Actress Jodelle Ferland first became popular in the film Tideland. 


Que: What other film did director Terry Gilliam and actor Tom Waits work together in?


12 Monkeys
Jabberwocky
Dracula
Brazil