A tale of good and evil battling for souls that’s made with Gilliam’s fantastic and fantastical visual imagination, “Imaginarium” is the director’s best, most entertaining film in years. — Kenneth Turan, LATimes
Although many critics at Cannes deemed Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassusm a noble bur faulty effort, a swing and a miss, I’m not hearing the swoosh of an airball at all from this brief clip with Lily Cole and Christopher Plummer. It takes a lot to make me give up on a Terry Gilliam film — if indeed I ever do. Thanks to Noah R. for reminding me to post this tease and the one after the cut, along with a minute-long look at Heath Ledger in his final role.
Conventional wisdom is coming together to agree on what works best in the Imaginarium: Casting Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell as three different incarnations of Ledger’s character, to fill the unbearable void he left behind, works better than anybody has any right to expect:
…the structure of “Imaginarium” and the nature of what was left to shoot when the actor died made the use of those substitute actors so seamless that, Gilliam said, “the postproduction sound guy assumed it had been written that way.”
It’s no wonder, then, that Gilliam feels that he “didn’t make this film. Forces from above and below made it. It made itself. I don’t panic anymore. It’s got its own relentless momentum. It just needed some human sacrifice…”
More of Turan’s LATimes piece after the cut, where you’ll find the other two clips as well.
“People don’t know how brilliant he was. He was limitless. Anything you threw at him he could handle,” Gilliam says of the actor, still not resigned to his death. “When we heard, my first response was that it was a P.R. stunt for his role as the Joker. [His death] didn’t make any sense. Even now it doesn’t compute.”
Gilliam’s initial thought at that point was “the film’s over, we go home now. But my team, they beat me up, they wouldn’t let me give it up. But I didn’t think it was right to just get another actor.” Because it was three fantasy scenes that remained to be shot, Gilliam decided on three actors, all friends of Heath. Though some rewriting and changes of shooting plans were necessary, it all went surprisingly smoothly.
“Having a magic mirror,” the director says, “makes a lot of difference.”
The first call Gilliam made was to Depp “because Johnny’s a mate, direct and genuine. He loved Heath, and he said, ‘I’m in, whatever.’ ” Then the problem became getting schedules to mesh. “Then Michael Mann’s film (’Public Enemy’) was delayed a week. I don’t think Johnny told Michael he was going. My guess is that he snuck out.”
Law, one of Gilliam’s early choices for the part, agreed next, and Los Angeles casting agent Margie Simkin suggested Farrell after she saw him at an L.A. memorial service. “All the actors already in the film had to change their schedules, and there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation,” Gilliam explains. “They all said, ‘We’ll do what’s necessary.’ It’s really a love letter to Heath by everybody involved. He was beloved by so many.”
and Heath:
31 Responses for "Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassusm, 3 clips"
Jesus..
I got chills on that Heath clip.
Miss him.
T.
I can’t wait to see this movie. Gilliam’s brilliant and after speaking to some of the folks who saw it when it screened here in LA, I am more convinced than ever that this film is going to be a wonderful and amazing journey.
I, too, cannot give up on a Gilliam film easily. All of his films get mixed reviews, it doesn’t mean a whole lot to me. Also, this is his best received film since 12 Monkeys, so that has to count for something.
Gilliam is one of the greatest filmmakers of all-time, I don’t care what anybody says. The only picture of his I don’t like is The Brothers Grimm, and that’s because I don’t think it’s his film anyway. It’s a Weinstein movie. The fact that this looks like a return to the days of Brazil and Baron Munchausen makes me even more excited.
the three actors filled a void in this particular film left by Ledger’s untimely death but as a luke warm fan I wouldn’t call it ‘unbearable.’
I can`t wait to see this movie…and Heath!
I hope,it will come to Denmark.
Thank you for the wonderful article Ryan. I feel that this will be Terry Gilliam’s best film to date and it’s wonderful how Johnny, Colin and Jude stepped in to help finish the film. This film truly is a labor of love on everyones part and a special gift from Heath. I’m really looking forward to seeing Terry’s magic and imagination come to life unfettered. Terry is Doctor Parnassus.
I’m really excited about this movie, I can’t wait to see it. From what I’ve read so far, the imaginary world behind the mirror is amazing!!! I really admire Terry’s imagination and unconventional movie-making. Not to mention, Heath Ledger is in it, in his last role… that’s gonna be very emotional for me to watch, for sure, but no way in the world I’m gonna miss it.
I want to see this movie quickly and I want to see Heath Ledger in his last movie.
seeing these clips only makes me want to see this movie all the more. I want to be able to see Heath’s performance and see how skillful a storyteller Terry is.
There isn’t a Gilliam film I haven’t liked … and yes, even a film like Grimm, where his vision was completely truncated by the film’s producers (though I hope there will one day be a Director’s Cut of Grimm, like Brazil). Following the Cannes premiere, I had read a number of the reviews and one reviewer called Parnassus a “eulogy proper.” I agree. And the world needs to see this final film of Heath Ledger’s, which he made with a man (Gilliam) who knew and loved him so well.
I can’t wait to see the film. So many talented actors and Terry Gilliam, it just cannot not be brilliant
loved 12 monkeys! loved it.
T.
It is indeed a love letter to Heath. All we need to do now is sign it by going to watch it.
Heaths heart and soul went into this and everything else he touched and I have never been disappointed. With all the work that went into finishing this film for the love of our boy Heath. It will be an instant classic.
Gilliam is no amateur. He is unique to speak on many different things on many different levels.
I will be waiting in lines to see this one and many times.
The more I read about it, the more I want to see it! I’m sure it’s gonna be exciting and surprising and imaginative. And there will no doubt be some great acting in it.
A love letter to Heath… I like that! And I’ll sign it. (Several times, most likely…)
I have a feeling this film will perform well at the box office, at least in its opening weeked because of sentimental reasons. The problem is that this sentimentality might clouds people’s perceptions of the film. The critical rating for this kind of movie doesn’t matter as much because I don’t think it is aiming for awards. I promised I would see Heath’s final film to pay my final respects. The plotline is creative and intriguing. It will also be interesting to see Depp, Farrell, and Law different incarnations of Tony or maybe they are just extending Heath’s part as Tony. This movie is definitely among my most anticipated. Even Gilliam’s misfires are worth watching. I will miss Heath. It is so tragic that there will be no more Ledger movies to watch after this. He had such promise and potential. One of the best of his generation. Maybe the movie can score some art or tech nominations.
Lily Cole’s a cutie. *blushes*
I have absolute faith that this film will find a big place in the public’s heart. Terry Gilliam is a visionary director who can spin magic for our delight, and from what I have heard Heath Ledger’s contribution to this film was enormous. Heath was an actor of such depth and intuition. He had a light and wonderful comedic touch which we never saw enough of. I can’t wait for this film to open. I’ll be at the head of the queue.
seeing these clips only makes me want to see this movie all the more. I want to be able to see Heath’s performance and see how skillful a storyteller Terry is.
The dude from Boy A!
Very underrated flick, that was.
I can’t wait. I need more Johnny Depp.
I had no idea what to expect from Lily Cole, and I’m very impressed. I’ll be interested to see more of Andrew Garfield, too. According to Gilliam, he had a very “underwritten” part and he added to it.
As for Heath Ledger–in that clip he is compelling. *I* would go through the mirror if I heard that pitch. I am eager to see his performance, though sad that it’s the last one we’ll ever have.
I like Gilliam films in general, and I love the premise of this one. And I get to see Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits (who’s a very credible actor, and won my heart long ago with his songs), Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Verne Troyer, in addition to Ledger, Cole and Garfield. That’s one heck of a cast.
Terry Gilliam doesn’t make simple, predictable movies–but they sure are fun! I’ll be there when it opens–assuming it *does* open in the US, in more than a few cities.
Desperate to see this movie. It’s gonna be completely amazing. How nice not to be spoon fed for once.
Haven’t watched any of those clips. I want to be totally surprised when I go see this movie (hopefully in a movie theater).
So looking forward seeing Doctor’s Imaginarium!
I can’t wait to see this movie, seeing these clips makes me want to see this movie even more! Terry is a great director and it will be interesting to see the different Tony’s!
Definately one of my most anticipated movies this year!
I can’t wait to see this movie, Terry Gilliam always do an amazing and original work, and everyone is now saying this is his best job, so it’s more than AMAZING! The cast is really brilliant and the plot very interesting.
Yay! Andrew Garfield! That guy is awesome.
Wow… this project just gets better and better.
Terry Gilliam is a one-of-a-kind original, and I think he kind of aims for mixed-review films. Even when his films aren’t entirely successful (only Brothers Grimm comes to mind), his vision is always fascinating, and his sets are mouth-watering.
Aesthetically, Gilliam is boss, and he’s a great story teller, unbothered by form or convention.
Can’t wait for this.
Interesting that the different actors for one part idea echoes Ledger’s other last performance, in I’m Not There…
I can’t wait to see this movie. Not just because it’s Heath Ledger’s last film (that’s a huge part of why), but because I’m excited to see the magical world Terry Gilliam created.
All the brilliant people who participate in creating this movie are the best guarantee for the highest possible quality.
Heath… Still unbelievable and still doesn’t make sense. It never will! Only pain left in us and his magnificent legacy for us!
I want to see this film, absolutely! Can’t wait to see Terry Gilliam’s work and Heath Ledger in it.
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