Review of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) by Doctor S — 24 Apr 2012

As an avid Gilliam fan, ultimately Dr. Parnassus rates as a mild disappointment, but you still get to experience a particular weirdness you won't get from other movies. At times somewhat chaotic and confusing, but it wouldn't be a Gilliam film otherwise, would it? But here he seems remiss due to curtailed storytelling - what exactly are the Doctor's powers and where did he get them? Christopher Plummer is absolutely terrific in the title role, I can see him as understudy for Ian McKellan's Gandalf without missing a beat.

Heath Ledger goes out in his final role with flamboyance as Tony, a man with a cloudy past, and I loved the substitute appearances of Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell. Tom Waits also shines as Mr.

Nick the Devil, I was amused that this devil carries a cigarette lighter. The giant traveling Imaginarium on wheels is a sight to behold, and the fanciful fantasy sequences will linger in the memory. Lacks the biting satire of a Brazil or the bittersweet flavor of The Fisher King, but does approach Baron Munchausen entertainment territory.