17th
The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus | Film Review
Heath Ledger’s last film, The Imaginarium Of Dr Parnassus, has finally made it to the big screen. It’s fair to say that the young star’s untimely death threw a spanner in the works. For months after Ledger’s demise, what could arguably be described as Terry Gilliam’s pièce de résistance was thought to be lost to dusty archives forever.
Alas the story was saved. In part, thanks to some wily adaptations and some ingenious cameos from none-other than Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell. The story follows the struggle of a travelling side-show of sorts; a troupe led by the inimitable Dr Parnassus who has made a wager with the devil in return for immortality.
Porcelain-skinned model Lily Cole plays the Doctor’s 16-year-old daughter with a level of conviction that is common in far more seasoned actors. Her doll-faced charm adds to the magic of the story as she struggles with her nomadic circus life.
This is a film that demands concentration, though isn’t hard to watch by any means. It’s a fantasy at its finest, with mythological qualities that would be at home with Euripides. The gorgeous visuals and dream sequences can be a little full-on, and will baffle small children (the 4-year-old kicking the back of my seat was clearly not its intended audience), but overall they create a heady world of imagination.
In order to save the film, Heath Ledger’s boots had to be filled. This was done by not one, but three actors. Throughout the film ‘Tony’ assumes different forms for reasons that aren’t made completely clear, yet the concept of one character being played by three actors works particularly well against the fantasy of the Doctor’s Imaginarium.
All three stand-in actors handle the role very well, each subtly making it his own, though I fear audiences may soon tire of Johnny Depp, who’s slightly hammy performance is not dissimilar to his now-infamous role as Captain Jack Sparrow. It would be nice to see him branch out a bit and prove that being able to portray a stuttering pirate isn’t the only string to his bow.
For those who are captivated by the world of Harry Potter, this is a film that takes it all a step further. It’s a film that will stick in your mind for a long time and demands to be seen.
