The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Reviews

Like many, I was hoping for a return to form for Terry Gilliam with this movie. And after reading a handful of reviews upon its theatrical release, I began to imagine that that is exactly what Dr. Parnasus would be. Unfortunately after watching the movie, I fail to see what all the fuss is about. (Could it be that many reviewers for major, visible publications are gutless, and simply paying the late Ledger lip-service. Call me cynical, while I call a spade a spade.) Truthfully, this is one of the most ho-hum films I've seen this year. It simply does not captivate. Much of the movie doddles along without much energy, as we watch the performers act out uninspired and predictable character arcs. The whole mystrerious stranger (Ledger) threatens the hopeful would-be suitor (some AWFUL actor guy) in his quest for the girl's heart, jealousy ensues, story-line is an absolute yawn. Every bit of overly-scripted attempts at humor (mostly involving mini-me) fall flat. And the solution to working around a dead lead-actor, while noble in its original concept (I agree, choosing ONE actor as a replacement would be disrespectful and tasteless), is, to put it mildly, flawed in its execution. Sure there are some clever self-conscious winks at the audience, but ultimately they only expose holes in the narrative and character-development. (Why, for instance, does Anton vehemently object to Tony's change in appearance, questioning who he really is, when only ten minutes later Valentina doesn't think twice about it? She can't be THAT blinded by love.) This film did inherently gain some of my interest in the fact that much of it plays out like a medieval or reformation morality play, both in its subject and its visual cues. (imagine the mirror-door as a hellmouth pulled straight from the Anglo-Saxson stage) But once through the mirror, while impressive at times, the visuals were by no means awe-inspiring enough to keep afloat an entire film weighed down by so much else.