Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Fantasy movies are not on top of my fave list. When I made my selection for my TIFF '09 movies, I was not so sure if I wanted to watch The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. But, I am so glad I decided to include the film.

Showtime was at 2:30 and we arrived an hour earlier. The line was already halfway around the building, and after 30 minutes of standing, the line had already snaked around the building and to the next block. Elgin Theatre has a capacity of 1500 - and needless to say, it was filled.

Terry Gilliam on black/white shirt.

An original screenplay written by Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown, this movie is gaining more popularity as Heath Ledger's last movie - the unfinished one.

Storywise it is not very original -- a few films have been made about men making a deal with the devil - and this one is for immortality.

I knew everyone was waiting for Heath Ledger's appearance. And when he did - you get mixed emotions of forgetting he is gone or feel sad he is gone. Truly a loss to Hollywood. The combined casting and acting of Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp in the role of Tony was equally excellent. The transformations were so seamless it was like the role was meant to be played by 4 people.

What also stood out for me was the special effects - they were simply beautiful, magical. The dance sequence of Valentina and the Devil was fantastic. I will not be surprised if this gets an Oscar nomination next year.

A must see movie for the whole family! I've read it is opening on Christmas Day. Can't wait to watch it again.

1 comment:

  1. was it a scary movie? i think it will be an oscar nom too since the actors are all very good. you think i will enjoy this movie?
    Miss k!

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