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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, The

EMAILPRINTSony Pictures Classics

Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, The reviews
65
6.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 30 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 39 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Adventure  |  Fantasy  |  Mystery

Written by: Terry Gilliam
Charles McKeown

Directed by: Terry Gilliam

Release Date:
Theatrical: December 25, 2009
DVD: April 27, 2010

Running Time: 122 minutes, Color

Origin: UK | Canada | France

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for violent images, some sensuality, language and smoking

Starring Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, Andrew Garfield, Verne Troyer, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present-day. It tells the story of Dr. Parnassus and his extraordinary ‘Imaginarium’, a traveling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. (Sony Pictures Classics)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

90

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

As unusual and idiosyncratic as its one-of-a-kind title. You'd expect no less from Terry Gilliam, and admirers of this singular filmmaker will be pleased to know that "Imaginarium" is one of his most original and accessible works.

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83

The Onion (A.V. Club) Tasha Robinson

In a real sort of way, Gilliam IS Parnassus, carrying his tatterdemalion show forward from year to year and trying to get people to pay attention, and the mingled sense of bitterness and hope in his story makes this whole crazed fantasy into something far more real.

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80

Variety Todd McCarthy

With Ledger onscreen more than might have been expected, the film possesses strong curiosity value bolstered by generally lively action and excellent visual effects.

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80

Time Out New York Keith Uhlich

The real drama in Parnassus comes from the troupe of sideshow performers, led by a terrifically morbid Christopher Plummer.

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80

Empire Olly Richards

There are thrilling flashes of Gilliam getting back to top form here. A scrappy movie with more ideas than it can control, but one born out of a passion and determination that are wholly infectious.

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80

Arizona Republic Bill Goodykoontz

If you're game, "Parnassus" is a richly rewarding experience. If not, it comes off like pretentious nonsense.

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75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

This is an Imaginarium indeed. The best approach is to sit there and let it happen to you; see it in the moment and not with long-term memory, which seems to be what Parnassus does.

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75

Boston Globe Ty Burr

In short, “Imaginarium’’ is a Terry Gilliam movie and it’s a mess, which over the years have come to mean much the same thing. It’s one of his better messes, though, or at least this critic was won over by its ramshackle whimsies.

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75

Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy

If you loved his (Gilliam) older work -- and if you can stand the twinge of pain that beholding the lamented Ledger will surely evoke -- it’s worth a visit.

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75

Washington Post Ann Hornaday

Shot through with a bold, extravagant generosity of spirit, this journey behind the literal and figurative looking glass marks a gratifying return to form for Gilliam.

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75

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

Vintage Terry Gilliam, a pour not to all tastes but one certain to please lovers of "Time Bandits" and "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen."

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75

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

Despite a shaky framework, the magic works. It's a chance to see Ledger one last time in the act of doing what he loved. Take it.

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75

USA Today Claudia Puig

Though rambling and at times self-indulgent, its wit and pageantry, boosted by Heath Ledger's final performance, render it irresistible.

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75

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

The best moments in “Parnassus” are not otherwordly but worldly. It’s a movie about a dying magician and the death of magic. This is a subject that obviously means a lot to Gilliam, and he makes us feel it in our bones.

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75

New York Post Lou Lumenick

The Depp sequence is especially poignant, apparently rewritten with references to other celebrities who died before their time -- Rudolph Valentino, James Dean and Princess Di -- and who will remain "forever young" in our imaginations.

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70

The New York Times Manohla Dargis

It’s a full three-ring affair, complete with puffs of smoke, glitter and grunge, some hocus-pocus, mumbo jumbo and even a dwarf.

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70

Village Voice Ella Taylor

This is potentially wonderful, if not exactly new stuff, but Gilliam and McKeown's willful refusal of coherent narrative and determination to pack every idea about art they ever had into one scenario, make this fiendishly gorgeous movie more exhausting than exhilarating to watch.

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67

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

As is so often the case since his "Monty Python" days, Gilliam is best at visual games and weakest at storytelling.

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67

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Christopher Plummer is delightful as this movie’s master magician and impresario of the rickety Imaginarium.

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63

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Joe Williams

Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell do yeoman work on behalf of their late friend and, as usual, Gilliam's film is a feast for the eyes. But all the king's men can't corral the horses running roughshod over basics like plot and character.

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63

Orlando Sentinel Roger Moore

It’s filmic fool’s gold, as every scene that doesn’t sparkle is just dirt -- dank, gritty visuals, murky plotting and very bad line-readings from Troyer (Mini-Me from the Austin Powers movies).

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63

ReelViews James Berardinelli

A movie assembled from diverse pieces that don't quite match. It's the cinematic equivalent of a patchwork quilt.

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60

The Hollywood Reporter Ray Bennett

The film is neither intelligent enough nor silly or grotesque enough to become a lasting favorite.

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50

The New Yorker Anthony Lane

He can follow any train of thought, so he does, and it’s no surprise when the trains run out of steam.

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50

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus takes us deep into the imagination of Terry Gilliam, which once was a splendid place to visit. And might prove so again. But not here, because this film is less a coherent exercise of imagination than a haphazard lecture on its importance, a lecture that eventually dwindles into self-indulgence.

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50

New Orleans Times-Picayune Mike Scott

Parnassus is a cold film that delights in dancing along that fine line separating "fantastical" and "nonsensical." Then, when a movie is supposed to hit things home -- in that all-important third act -- it lands with a thud on the wrong side.

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50

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

The behind-the-scenes tragedy gives Gilliam an easy excuse for the dull chaos that engulfs the story, but he might have generated it all on his own.

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50

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

Feels like a cobbled collection of ideas and conceits rather than a stand-alone story.

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40

New York Daily News Joe Neumaier

"Parnassus," while not unwatchable, is also an elephantine mess.

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25

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

The film ends up landing in a confused middle category. It's neither a coherent, discrete work nor a zany tribute to the late actor.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 6.1 (out of 10) based on 39 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Annie S. gave it an8:
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.

Billy S. gave it a9:
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.

Charlotte M. gave it a0:
I was chagrined to find that through a mix-up in times, I arrived at the movie theater a half hour late. It took a a bit of time to sort out the characters and plot, but this was eventually accomplished. Still, as the movie continued to develop, I became increasingly grateful that I had arrived late. The premise was excellent, the execution was poor. The movie was was similar to having a bad dream - confusing, fragmented, incoherent and worst of all - boring. This is the only movie I've ever given a 0. Save your money and give it a miss.

William C gave it a6:
Terry Gilliam, The mind behind the erratic and genius Fear and Loathing Las Vegas and Brazil, had his creative work cut out for him, when one of his stars and backbones passes away suddenly and quietly right in the middle of shooting of his latest film, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. Though with the passing of Heath Ledger, it gave Gilliam a chance to explore a different approach to explain the fanciful story that he had created, built entirely around a man and a bet. Like most of Gilliam’s stories, to find the complete plot, you must delve deep and find it within yourself. The basic outline is centered on Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), an immortal holy man that has been in conflict with Mr. Nick, the embodiment of Satan (Tom Waits) to both collect and redeem souls throughout the course of life. Where Ledger’s character falls, is something of an oddity, for he’s found dangling under a bridge by Dr. Parnassus’ daughter ----- and their traveling troupe. With the arrival of Tony (Ledger), Mr. Nick Brings up an ancient bet that unless Dr. Parnassus can save five souls in his imaginarium, then his daughter belongs to him. Spelling out the story is fanciful and tricky enough, yet to watch it unfold is a well-paced and lingering, allowing the viewer to slowly ponder over what is exactly going on and enjoy the overall well written comedy and spectacular sights that are in the imaginarium. But what is this magical place, full of color and CGI majesty? Simply it’s the place where ones true self – the things you most covet and treasure but may not need – are shown, and you are given the choice to repent or live with your sin. Thankfully the movie never gets preachy, as easily as it could have gone in that direction. By all rights, the story itself could have been tightened up, to tie up loose ends and remove unneeded material (“He’s upstairs”), yet it’s obvious that the cause of most of the hitches due to the demise of Ledger. It was almost as if parts of the movie were left in as a homage to the departed actor, which in most cases wouldn’t be a bad thing. However, when you have a movie that is so warped and mystical, plunging you directly into your imagination, those types of errors cannot be left. The same could be said for the three accompanying actors; Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Colin Farrell. The trio was added into the script later, once changes needed to be made and shooting had to go on. To use them as other embodiments, “mirror-images” of Ledger in the Imaginarium. I have to say that as a whole, all three of them did a fantastic job of mimicking Ledger’s mannerisms and patters, trying to truly be him without overshadowing. Though Law feel a little short – being bland and underwritten overall - while Farrell rose a little higher – almost perfectly mimicking Ledger from earlier scenes - all of them worked splendidly as a unit. Still the movie worked, even with its downfalls. The comedy and delivery in the way it was handled (subtle and indirect undertone) flowed effortlessly, again helping the pacing of the overall story. Which also helps this movie, in the end, give it one of the staples of a “what do you think?” ending. Much like Donnie Darko or Memento, by the credit roll, no two opinions of the message or meaning will be the same, and that’s perfect. Because as we all have learned growing up, happy endings are not guaranteed.

Byron G gave it a10:
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.

Nerijus D gave it a1:
Ugly and repulsive film.

Hyper S gave it a6:
Strange, but often more in a w.t.f. way rather than a mesmerizing way. Even the climax of five souls felt rushed, overly simplistic, and ultimately unsatisfying. Perhaps if I saw it again I'd find a treasure trove of clever societal based metaphors, but honestly... the movie isn't that entertaining to warrant it.

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