The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

There is no one like director Terry Gilliam. He lives in a dark brooding world of fantasy, and he takes these seemingly mundane fairy tale characters then demystify them into beings that populate a complex world! This is the modern world of Dr. Parnassus – the head of a travelling theatre, plying their trade in the backways of grimy London.

In the confines of their gypsy-cart lies the fantastical “Imaginarium” – a mystifying world where your fondest fantasies come alive! But the 1,000 years old “doctor” (the brilliant Christopher Plummer) is disgruntled and regretful of his bet with the devil. In exchange for his “mortality”, he trades his very own daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) when she turns 16. But the restless devil offers another bet – give him 5 souls before Valentina’s birthday and he will grant her freedom.

Meanwhile, the traveling troupe rescues a dying man, hanging on a bridge. He turns out to be a charity-maker, Tony (Heath Ledger). Is he sent by the heavens as an answer to the bind they’re facing?

Heath Ledger is memorable as Tony – a man with a sketchy past. When he walks inside the “imaginarium”, he transforms into different personas – Colin Farrell, Jude Law and Johnny Depp! These change of physical attributes is the perfect metaphor for the multilayered character that underlies the mysterious Tony! Plummer, Farrell, Law, Depp, Cole, Verne Troyer (the midget Percy) turn out to be a powerful ensemble. I would have to mention Andrew Garfield – Anton (who’s in love with Valentina) – as the one to watch! I’ve seen him in “Silence for Lambs” (Robert Redford) and the British indie “Boy A”.

Enjoy the ride inside the Imaginarium!

Children and internal organs don't mix!

"I used to be a twink too," quips Johnny Depp.

"I don't brood," says Jude law.

Promising Andrew Garfield joins a stellar cast. He won the role over hundreds.

Andrew Garfield in "Boy A".