The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Terry Gilliam, 2009): France, Canada, UK

Reviewed by Conner Emery. Viewed at AFI Fest 2009.

So this is a movie where I actually went to the main theater at Grauman’s to see, and believe me, it’s spectacular inside. I missed the comfort of the always welcoming Theater 1, but once inside you can’t escape the decadence that flows from every angle. But enough about that. I should pre-warn you that this review will have less reviewing and more opinions about the general consensus of the movie. And for those of you who may have been wondering (and I know you’re out there), Johnny Depp was not at the premiere. Pity.

The film starts out with a 20’s carnival stagecoach. This cart is the middle-ground from which the story revolves. I am not afraid to spoil the plot as many people who saw the film couldn’t even figure out what was going on. The main character is not Heath Ledger’s Tony, but is in fact the titular character: Doctor Parnassus, himself (Played wonderfully by Christopher Plummer). He has a daughter who, when she turns 16, will be taken by the Devil, as Parnassus traded every child he would ever have, to make himself a young adult to win the woman of his dreams. But this wasn’t his first deal, his first resulted in the creation of the Imaginarium, and was granted Eternal Life.  Tony is a mysterious character who appears after the first quarter of the movie. His character is unknown, but it’s later said that he took out a loan with mobsters to start an agency that helped children in need. The reason for founding the agency, however, was more than a little shady. So basically, it’s a battle to save Parnassus’ daughter from ending up in hell.

I will say this is not the best movie ever made, however you cannot deny it’s innovation. All I’ve heard is people complaining about the plot, and while it does require a bit of thought, it’s not considerably difficult to wrap your head around. Everyday you hear people complaining that there is no originality left in movies anymore, that everything is now somehow related to the “based on” category of films. And then this film comes out. A thoroughly original story with visuals to match it’s inventiveness. I don’t understand how  people can find ways of complaining no matter the outcome.

I can go on, but if I do I feel that I won’t be able to stop myself. My one request is that people at least realize that their wishes have been answered for something that is new and innovative and the same time. Sometimes wishes aren’t what we imagined, but the outcome is something that can’t be changed. And luckily so, for me. Imaginarium is up there with Amelie for it’s simple enjoyment factor, visual achievements, original world, and gorgeously fitting soundtrack. Give it a chance before you say no.