Variety
Many Ledger fans certainly will turn out just to see his final performance. But it's genuinely interesting to see how, under duress, Gilliam contrived to work the other actors into the role.
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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
This wacky fantasy (from the wild imagination of filmmaking giant and former Monty Python Terry Gilliam) is about Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium' - a travelling show where members of the audience get an opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. It's also about the Doctor's quest to get his daughter paired off to a nice man before the Devil (Tom Waits!) claims her.
Terry Gilliam's film is already infamous for the tragic death of Heath Ledger, who passed away during filming. Gilliam hatched a plan: he got Ledger's friends Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law to came on board and play the same character in different versions. They donated their fee for appearing in the film to Ledger's daughter, Matilda.
2009Rating: PG, Menacing themes, violence and coarse language.122 minsFrance, Canada, UK
AdventureFantasyMystery
- Director:
- Terry Gilliam ('Monty Python and the Holy Grail', 'Brazil', 'Twelve Monkeys', 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas', 'The Brothers Grimm')
- Writer:
- Terry GilliamCharles McKeown
- Cast:
- Heath LedgerJohnny DeppJude LawColin FarrellChristopher PlummerTom WaitsVerne TroyerLily Cole
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus / Reviews
Total Film
Gilliam’s plotting is typically ramshackle, but the fantasy visions are wondrous. Top job of rescuing Heath Ledger’s cruelly curtailed contribution, too.
Full reviewOtago Daily Times
After two hours of captivating eye-candy and spot-the-cameo moments, it's hard to figure out the point of the whole thing.
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Hollywood Reporter
The first big question about Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" involves how the filmmaker managed to complete the film when his star Heath Ledger died in the middle of shooting. The answer is with great imagination and skill.
The second big question is whether Gilliam has produced something to rank with his great fantasies "Time Bandits" and "Brazil," and the answer is sadly no.
Full review
FilmInk
A hard to fathom storyline and obvious CGI effects detract from an otherwise big-hearted final film for Heath Ledger.
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Empire Magazine
There are thrilling flashes of Gilliam getting back to top form here. A scrappy movie with more ideas than it can control, but one born out of a passion and determination that are wholly infectious.
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