A story’s story, Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus forces everyone to reach deep down into the depths of their own imaginarium so that they may aptly experience this cinematic whirlwind.

Yet, the pseudo-ridiculous plot paired with relatively unimpressive graphics results in a surprisingly entrancing film.

Sure to be a cult classic, Imaginarium boggles the mind. The plot itself can hardly be considered ingenious.

In fact, the screenplay, co-written by Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown, is rather disappointing. The dialogue is unoriginal and uninspired. The motifs and metaphors are entirely cliché. I mean, how obvious can you be when Satan gives women apples?

The actors hired to tell this story of eternal choice unanimously struggled. Perhaps the poorly written dialogue left the actors little to work with.

The great Christopher Plummer adequately played Doctor Parnassus. If nothing else, he surely looked the part.

As did Lily Cole, the redheaded, porcelain skinned British supermodel. Miss Cole’s beauty didn’t exactly suffice. Her role of Valentina commanded charm, naiveté, and grace. Cole lacks the necessary presence and experience to deliver all three simultaneously. I sensed Gilliam’s choice for Cole merely relied on the fact that she looks stunning running around in a formfitting red dress.

Andrew Garfield, a newcomer to the feature film scene, initially showed promise in his grand bodily gestures but dwindled when he was forced to face emotional turbulence. However, once more, Garfield looked the part fabulously.

The end credits dedicate Imaginarium to the memory of Heath Ledger. Heath’s performance remained very much in tact despite his premature death during filming.

The incorporation of Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell as Heath Ledger’s replacements was contrite.

In any other circumstance, this alternation of actors would be inexcusable. But since we all wanted Heath’s last role to come to fruition, we are willing to overlook certain unfortunate plot complications.

Johnny Depp’s Tony should have lasted much longer. His facial contortions are very enchanting and deserved more screen time than those of Law or Farrell. A poor choice from the start, Jude Law cannot captivate the same essence of Ledger, Depp or Farrell. He made me very uncomfortable, actually. And rarely does such a good-looking person make me feel that uncomfortable in such a non-threatening role.

Gilliam never pretends that he made a film that could be applicable to an actual situation. And in recognizing his pure intentions of trying to encapsulate a spirit of wonderment, you are certainly incapable of denying his valiant efforts.

Gilliam clearly had a rough time with this movie. He had all the right intentions and all the right pieces to the puzzle. Everyone certainly looked the part. The costumes were appropriately elaborate.

What Imaginarium did not have was tight editing, well-rounded characters, a sophisticated plot, or good acting. But what does that matter?

VERDICT:

Despite all of its flaws, and there are many, I left the theater thinking that I just had a true cinematic escape.

If I’m going to contemplate fate and free will, I’m just glad it is among such fun company, even if they can’t act.