THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS

You guys may have noticed that I am a great fan of good, old fashioned escapism. I mean let’s face it, we all need it at times. That’s why adults read comics and watch cartoons; that’s why fiction as a genre exists! This is probably why, when I find a film that well and truly transports me to another world I pounce on it and give it a big (metaphysical) cuddle. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is just such a cuddle-worthy film. Springing from the crazy imagination of Terry Gilliam, you would expect nothing less. Plus the film is chock – full of handsome actors (the late great Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell…). If that’s not cuddle-worthy, I don’t know what is, right ladies ? ;)

So, what is the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus about? As with everything Gilliam-related, it’s a little hard to explain and almost impossible to describe but I’ll give it a go. Ok, it’s sort of, kind of a little bit of a take on Dr Faust – but not quite. You see, Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) was actually born thousands of years ago – but a bet with the devil has given him eternal life. It is not turning out the way he had planned. One day, upon coming across the woman of his dreams, he makes another pact with the devil – youth and the chance to conquer this woman. However, he must give the first child from this union to the devil on its 16th birthday. So we find him, traveling the world with his daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) and his two assistants, as a traveling troupe of performers. This is where the Imaginarium comes in – or where you go into the Imaginarium, an imaginary world commanded by the doctor where all ones wishes come true. They have a happy life minus the fact that Valentina is almost 16 and her father is desperate to find a way out of his bargain. Mr. Nick ( the devil) comes up with just such a plan. The first to seduce five souls in the Imaginarium will win. This sounds easy but is actually no mean feat seeing as the Imaginarium is doing, in a word, dismally. But then, Tony (mostly Heath Ledger) comes along. The troupe rescues him from the jaws of death – he is dazed and has completely lost his memory. His mere presence however, will change the rules of “the game” forever…

Now, what of my impressions of the film? Well, it has no great philosophy, it is Hollywood and special effects at their best. And I mean their best. It is no Avatar of course, but it is instead a wonderful imagination, colorful costumes and fantasy worlds and details that Monty Python fans will recognize and squeal with glee about (not a lot of people know this but it also racked up two Oscar® nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. VERY well deserved.) This is good, old-fashioned story-telling folks; done by superb actors too. It is also a good reminder of the powers of the imagination. I would hate to become one of those people who are incapable of imagining, of enjoying a story, of plunging into a fantasy world without 3-D glasses… I am sure that those of you who have watched the film will agree with me when I tell you that it should more accurately be called “The Imaginarium of Terry Gilliam”… Just immerse yourselves. You will emerge re-born. ;)