Terry Gilliam movies are hard to explain anyway. Try to encapsulate12 Monkeys in a logline about time travel, or poseThe Fisher King as as simple drama about grief. The lengths Gilliam had to go through to finish what tragically became Heath Ledger's final film take things to the next level.The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus is about a traveling street show. Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) lets audiences inside his magic mirror into a weird fantasy world that keeps their souls. Dr. Parnassus's...
I just saw IMAGINARIUM and it was the AMAZING visual feats one would expect from a Gilliam film. Might see it again on the big screen - the only true way to see this film for sure in all its larger-than-life glory.
I saw it last night, and it was refreshing to see a film that displayed a unique vision, and didn't feel the need to dumb down for the audience. If things take a little while to figure out in a Gilliam film-- and often they do-- then so be it; it's OK to be a little uncomfortable and bewildered.
In that respect, Gilliam's work reflects real life, in my opinion. We certainly don't seem to be living our lives in some predicatable, dramatic story arc-- well, most of us. (Or is it just me?)
Plus the visuals, despite being in CGI, are pretty creative and cool.
Saw it two days ago, and I've got to agree with yummyfur. It was damned refreshing. As much as Gilliam's work revels in the Absurd, it's some of the most honest cinema a person can find.
I'm glad he's embracing the CG. While I'm not a major fan of CGI driven pieces, I'm glad it gives Gilliam a venue to really let his imagination shine. He's the perfect filmmaker for this day-and-age. Watching the moments that took place inside of a character's imagination was like watching his old artwork for Monty Python come to life.
It's a shame the flick won't get the love it deserves. But then, that's Gilliam's luck.
Missy
SUICIDEGIRL
California, USA
DEC 17, 2009 07:00 AM