DVD Review: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that although
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantasy movie
with elements that might look family friendly, it dives into
some fairly mature and dark waters -- very much like the often
brutal and terrifying Grimm fairy tales that inspire director
Terry Gilliam. The imagery, while dazzling, is also frightening
and even nightmarish at times (and the first 40 minutes of the
movie are very disjointed, which may turn off some viewers), so
it's not an age-appropriate pick for younger kids. Plus, the
devil is one of the movie's major characters, and the "heroes"
aren't exactly shining role models, either -- many of them keep
secrets and deceive people, often for selfish reasons. And the
16-year-old heroine has sex and is seen smoking a cigarette the
next morning (presumably after the act itself). Many viewers
will be curious to see Heath Ledger's final performance and how
Gilliam finished the film around his absence, but Ledger is
ultimately just one member of an ensemble cast and not really
the film's "star."
- How do you think Gilliam's decision to "replace" Heath Ledger with three other actors worked out? Is the movie meant to be seen as a tribute to Ledger?
- Is the movie more or less scary than films that have more outright violence? Do scenes have to be violent to be scary?
- Why would someone be tempted to make a deal with the devil? Is Doctor Parnassus' "prize" for winning one of his deals a blessing or a curse?
- Doctor Parnassus believes that the world goes on because people tell stories. Do you agree or disagree?
Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) runs a traveling carnival show featuring a magic mirror that leads to fantastic worlds. Long ago he made a deal with the devil, who's known as Mr. Nick (Tom Waits). Parnassus' daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) was the prize -- and the deadline for the deal is nearly up. So Doctor Parnassus strikes a new deal with Mr. Nick: The first one to collect five souls wins. Meanwhile, after one night's show, the doctor's crew -- including Percy (Vern Troyer) and Anton (Andrew Garfield) -- discovers and rescues a hanged man. The man, Tony (Heath Ledger), can remember nothing, but Doctor Parnassus is convinced that he's been sent for a special reason. And there are many more secrets to be revealed. ...
Ledger's untimely death partway through production -- and director Terry Gilliam's subsequent, clever method of filling in the resulting blanks by using other actors (Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law) -- will no doubt encompass most of the discussion around THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS. But that aside, it really is an outstanding work of personal vision and dazzling imagery. It's a rare thing: a fantasy film filled with gorgeous computer effects that also has a dark, mature sensibility and doesn't rely completely on said effects.
Gilliam is incapable of telling a story casually, and his personal obsessions often come along as a bonus. The director's very specific way of looking at things -- i.e. his use of space, lighting and cutting -- will thrill more adventurous moviegoers, but may upset audiences looking for something a bit simpler and more streamlined. Though it's a fantasy, Doctor Parnassus isn't really a family movie, and most of the elements here are probably much too dark for young kids.
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