The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Current Ranking: #6 out of 33
Date Watched: 01/12/10
Original Ranking: #1 out of 1

Nic says:
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fun and creative movie that takes us on a wild ride through people’s imaginations. The best part of the movie is the devil known as Mr. Nick, played by Tom Waits. Mr. Nick is amazingly clever; so clever in fact, that he even when he loses, he wins. In his first bet with Parnassus, he is easily defeated and grants his opponent immortality. However, this only better serves Mr. Nick, for he has now guaranteed himself an eternal companion… one who foolishly believes he can beat the devil.

In addition to the wonderful character of Mr. Nick, there is mystery-man Tony Sheppard, originally scripted to be played solely by Heath Ledger. The role instead is filled by not only Ledger but Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell as well. One cannot help but think about Ledger’s untimely death while completing this movie when seeing his character transform, through the powers of the imaginarium, into the different faces of Depp, Law, and Farrell. Each actor continues the role quite convincingly; perhaps it’s just the aid of makeup, wardrobe, and whatever other movie tricks, but it is sometimes hard to tell the difference between them.

Overall, this movie continued to keep me guessing while telling an amazing tale.

Amy says:
I agree that Mr. Nick and Tony really stole the show as the really likeable are-they-villains-or-are-they-not kind of characters. In addition to the wonderful cast of colorful characters, the imaginarium is provides the sole to this story. Just beyond Dr. Parnassus’ magic mirror lies the imaginarium, a place where dreams, and sometimes nightmares, are brought to life. From the fun of the shoe-coveters world of nine-feet-tall yet still luxurious high heels to the river that changes in to a giant cobra, the audience rides the highs and lows of the characters imaginations. Just as the world beyond the mirror captivates, intrigues, and proves full of surprises, so is this curiously fabulous film by Terry Gilliam.

A perfect film for our first review! By default this movie claims the number one slot.