The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
Terry Gilliam is not a lucky man. The director is beloved by fantasy fans for the skewed vision on display in films like Brazil and 12 Monkeys. But he’s had movies taken away from him by studios and even had a production wiped out by a flood. Imaginarium was no exception. Star Heath Ledger died from a fatal overdose halfway through shooting. Fortunately, friends Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell agreed to fill the breech. The imaginarium is a mirror through which people can see their heart’s desires, and Ledger is the mysterious stranger who joins Dr. Parnassus’s caravan. The motley ensemble—including Austin Powers‘s pint-sized star Verne Troyer—are hounded by a devil in the form of Tom Waits, who intends to claim the doctor’s daughter (Lily Cole) for himself. Gilliam fills the movie with eye-popping visuals and knockabout comedy; imagine Avatar, but with a world filtered through Victorian cartoons rather than Yes album covers. It’s a fitting tribute to a star and director who both dared to let their reach exceed their grasp.
Extras: An audio interview with Ledger and footage from his wardrobe test. Gilliam gives an introduction and commentary. Deleted scene, 15 minutes of behind-the-scenes stuff.
- By C. Bottomley
Check out TheFABlife’s exclusive DVD bonus clip above, an audio interview with the late Heath Ledger.
