Many people are going to see this movie simply because it was Heath Ledger’s last role. That’s all well and good, but “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” has a lot more to offer. The film, which Terry Gilliam directed and co-wrote, began production in December of 2007 and was given a budget of $30 million. Over the years, Gilliam has gathered a worldwide recognition, and many fans have been eagerly awaiting this film, which is his first since 2005’s “Tideland.” Perhaps best known as the only American in Monty Python, he also directed their films “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “The Meaning of Life.” Gilliam later went on to direct such classics as “Brazil” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” After Ledger unexpectedly died, Gilliam and co-writer Charles McKeown made some changes to this script, which now had Ledger’s character going through physical transformations. Thus, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell were cast to play different versions of Ledger’s character. Outside of some entertaining comedies, it’s been a pretty dry year for movies. Thankfully, it looks like “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” won’t disappoint.
Oh, and Tom Waits plays the devil in it. Need I say more?
