Director Terry Gillam introducing "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus"
I wasn’t sure what to expect last night at I made my way into Grauman’s Chinese Theater for the AFI Fest Gala Screening of The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. We all know this was the late Heath Ledger’s final curtain call, sadly, he passed away while the film was still being made. Therefore, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law all stepped in to play different incarnations of Heath’s character, Tony. What was also really nice about these guys stepping up to help their fallen friend was that each donated his salary from the film to Ledger’s daughter, Matilda. I have to say, the way that director and writer Terry Gillam (Monty Python, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 12 Monkeys) transitioned these other actors into Heath’s role was done very well and actually made sense in this complicated and colorful story. In fact, Gillam remarked that “This movie was completed for one reason and one reason alone-for Heath” and that this was a rare occasion in Hollywood in which all of the players who made the film came together to honor the late actor by finishing this project. Heath Ledger played the slick Tony, a man who at first seems quite helpful but when the truth finally comes out, proves to be in competition with the devil himself. And so how did Ledger perform in his final role? Extremely well as he was the consummate character actor and his interpretations were so original, fearless, and bold, it is a tragic loss and still sad to think of what could have been.
The late actor, Heath Ledger photo credit: people
The fantasy story is set in present day London and focuses on a traveling show helmed by Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) who gives a great performance as a tormented, old man wrestling with the fact that he has made a deal with the devil (Mr. Nick) played by the so very talented Tom Waits, who actually makes Satan seem charming and funny! Relative newcomer Lily Cole plays Parnassus’ daughter Valentina who is the prize in the deal and who her father is desperately trying to protect. Also in the cast, Verne Troyer who takes a turn in this drama playing circus freak Percy who also serves as a voice of reason, and Andrew Garfield as Anton a member of the traveling show trying to win over Valentina’s love and hell bent on showing Tony’s true colors. Also, the cinematography and visuals are quite amazing, but you really have to give yourself over to your inner child to fully enjoy what you are seeing (think fantasy sequences which include giant shoes, wooden stilts that stretch to the blue sky, lily pads, and magical rivers that seemingly never end).
Some of the cast of "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" including Lily Cole and Verne Troyer
Afterward, I headed over to the Audi Lounge at The Roosevelt where I chatted with director Kenny Ortega who had just completed a panel discussion of his latest project, This Is It the Michael Jackson documentary. It is true what people have said about Ortega, he is extremely kind and gracious, and he mentioned to me that making the documentary was wonderful because “I had a great subject” in the King of Pop. Just another reminder that both Jackson and Ledger were so talented, and thankfully their memories will always live on in their art that they left behind and in the hearts of their loved ones and their fans.
Sony Pictures Classics’ The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus will open in a limited release on Christmas Day (December 25th, 2009).
Wow, sounds like a great film and what a night with two Directors like Terry Gillam and Kenny Ortega. Looks like Red Carpet Roxy made lighting strike twice in the same place!!