The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 25, 2009
7.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 227 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
146
Mixed:
64
Negative:
17
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
Isaac_adhdAug 3, 2012
This is one of my all time favorite movies because of it´s atmosphere that´s seems to be borrowed from a different universe. The film is so absurd, hilarious, astonishing, disgusting and all over chaotic it´s just BESTThis is one of my all time favorite movies because of it´s atmosphere that´s seems to be borrowed from a different universe. The film is so absurd, hilarious, astonishing, disgusting and all over chaotic it´s just BEST FANTASY MOVIE OF ALL TIME… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
All this user's reviews
10
zombiehampsterNov 5, 2010
If there is something to be said about Terry Gilliam, it's that he doesn't give a damn about trying to please his audience, and I love that about him. Depending on who you speak with, a director can be someone who must make a film thatIf there is something to be said about Terry Gilliam, it's that he doesn't give a damn about trying to please his audience, and I love that about him. Depending on who you speak with, a director can be someone who must make a film that people would want to see or tell a story that they want to make. The former seems to be the most commonly accepted way of film making as large sums of money are at stake and it would be very risky to do so. Terry Gilliam's approach is one that I love and feel is a breath of fresh air in that he tells some very interesting stories. He has a way of capturing that sense of discovery and wonder that you (hopefully) got when you were a kid discovering something new. This movie to me is one of his ultimate expressions of this. The movie, in a nutshell, is about the immortal Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) and his duels of faith (not religious, but in the virtues of humanity) with the devil (played by an awesome Tom Waits). It involves many flashbacks from when Parnassus was young and details how he become who he is, all the while showing the daily trials and tribulations he and his traveling carnival face as they travel about London. The story is very complex and does require attention to be paid to what is being said, and their morality cannot be judged based on the characters actions as easily as some films. Things are pretty much not what they may seem at all times, and things twist and warp as the story develops further, leaving you sometimes confused. The writing is amazing, with many well written and delivered lines by the cast. They all deliver equally good performances and though I have a hard time finding a favorite, I would have to say Verne Troyer as Anton (who is someone to be watched in the future) and Tom Waits as the Devil where some of my favorites. Heath Ledger gives an excellent performance and as much as I liked him in the Dark Knight, I feel that his performance in Imaginarium is a bit more subtle, but still very interesting. That being said, The Imaginarium is definitely a favorite of mine, but I may be biased as I like Terry Gilliam's style as a director, as well as his choice of actors/actresses. He pours a lot of heart into his movies and as self indulgent as some people say his movies are, I would rather watch his movies more than any other director.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
DavidSJan 8, 2010
A wonderful film of poignant morality. A perfect send off for Heath Ledger.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
AnnieS.Feb 3, 2010
This movie is underrated by this site, as if Terry Gilliam's films normally make more sense. As if life normally makes more sense. Personally I prefer movies that are unique and flawed over perfect boring movies any day. Can't wait This movie is underrated by this site, as if Terry Gilliam's films normally make more sense. As if life normally makes more sense. Personally I prefer movies that are unique and flawed over perfect boring movies any day. Can't wait to see it again.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SteveGJan 1, 2010
A thought provoking and interesting film. Its not Brazil or Time Bandits (Gilliam's best), it is not for kids, but it is a visually and conceptually fascinating film. The plot device introduced to allow for Ledger's character to be A thought provoking and interesting film. Its not Brazil or Time Bandits (Gilliam's best), it is not for kids, but it is a visually and conceptually fascinating film. The plot device introduced to allow for Ledger's character to be played by Depp et. al. is very clever and it works. I truly enjoyed the film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
BillyS.Jan 27, 2010
The fact that Terry Gilliam even finished this film merits a 10 alone. No Don Quiote this time. Gilliam instead melds Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell into the role Heath Ledger left unfinished perfectly, completing a totally The fact that Terry Gilliam even finished this film merits a 10 alone. No Don Quiote this time. Gilliam instead melds Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell into the role Heath Ledger left unfinished perfectly, completing a totally entertaining film filled with magical and fantastical images with a story as close to Monty Python as he's ever done. A beautiful film and worthy tribute to Heath Ledger.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
ByronGJan 17, 2010
Very imaginative, creative, and fun! Good casting - Almost seamless substitution of Johnn Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law after Heath Ledger's death mid shooting.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
BartJDec 25, 2009
Visually very appealing, a joy to watch with brilliant production design and cinematography. Wonderful to see the great Christopher Plummer back on the big screen, with a superb supporting cast. An excellant fantasy night at the cinema, I Visually very appealing, a joy to watch with brilliant production design and cinematography. Wonderful to see the great Christopher Plummer back on the big screen, with a superb supporting cast. An excellant fantasy night at the cinema, I found myself very drawn in. One forgets that the appearances by Depp, Farrel, and Law are because of the loss of Heath Ledger... it all seems to be a natural transition within the story.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JesseJDec 27, 2009
Great movie, not the best, sometimes you will feel a bit over whelmed by the fact that the movie can get over complicated, sometimes you will even find parts stupid because you don't understand a single thing. All around you will find a Great movie, not the best, sometimes you will feel a bit over whelmed by the fact that the movie can get over complicated, sometimes you will even find parts stupid because you don't understand a single thing. All around you will find a movie that can be funny here and there, has a great love story (but it is not the main part of the movie so it won't get in the way and people that love romance movies will love this as well, so its pretty much hitting 2 birds with 1 rock. I reccomend you watch this if you like movies that are more than just people killing each other.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
TimRDec 28, 2009
Worth a look, but not complete satisfying: the narrative doesn't feel complete, but some of the scenes are fantastical and interesting enough to stand in the own right. Gilliam's eye for visuals hasn't weakened.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
VanPDec 31, 2009
Good Movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
s3ver14nFeb 27, 2012
Terry Gilliam always delivers the film that he wants to make rather than something that is instantly appealing or even commercially viable. For each Time Bandits or Brazil there is a Brothers Grimm, but even his least successful productionsTerry Gilliam always delivers the film that he wants to make rather than something that is instantly appealing or even commercially viable. For each Time Bandits or Brazil there is a Brothers Grimm, but even his least successful productions are superior to the continuous stream of turgid super hero tie-ins and remakes that have filled cinemas in recent years. Parnassus has an excellent cast who act their socks off. It's hard to single any one of them out, although it is a pleasure to see Christopher Plummer centre stage, and the combination of the "Tony" actors (Ledger, Depp, Farrell, and Law) shine through. The plot is arguably a little simple, but with the way it weaves between imaginary worlds and fascinating characters this is probably for the best. And what richly painted worlds and characters they are, with the irony that the most fascinating element is the Imaginarium itself - a Victorian era anachronism touring the back streets of modern London. The special effects are truly special due to the level of art that has gone into them rather than just the capabilities of a team of programmers. Modern SFX have become such a continuous drive of "bigger and better with more pixels" that many directors have lost sight of the fact that they are meant to be "special". Look, a bigger explosion, with more colours! Or a bigger robot, a bigger spaceship, a bigger, more impossible car chase.It has reached a point where SFX have reached saturation - completely ridiculous things are now mundane. Parnassus SFX focus on the detail, the minutiae, the art. And much of it is big, but that's not what makes it clever. What makes if clever is the fact that Gilliam decided that a "magic" mirror just needed a piece of plastic with a hole cut in it. Sometimes it's knowing when not to.....… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
NickkkMar 14, 2012
What you expect from the trailer is exactly what you get: a visually appealing, old-fashioned and stylish film about a magic world that can be accessed through a mirror. While the first half of the film takes you through the discovering ofWhat you expect from the trailer is exactly what you get: a visually appealing, old-fashioned and stylish film about a magic world that can be accessed through a mirror. While the first half of the film takes you through the discovering of this world and the nature of the different characters, the second part is full of dark/epic elements. It's up to you to decide if the devil finally got to destroy Parnassus' life.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
lpsycoJul 10, 2013
this movie is amazing one of the best fantasy,etc,movies,i ever seen....
don-t feed the haters and trols...

this movie is amazing one of the best fantasy,etc,movies,i ever seen....
don-t feed the haters and trols...
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
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