The latest visual feast from Terry Gilliam (Brazil, 12 Monkeys, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen) is a morality tale about the titular Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) whose Imaginarium is a traveling show in which audience members get to see their dreams come true--for good and bad; kind of a mobile Fantasy Island. Dr. Parnassus, meanwhile, has a dark secret of his own: centuries ago, he made a deal with the devil, Mr. Nick (Tom Waits), in which he was granted immortality. Some years later, upon meeting his one true love, he made another deal with the devil, in which he was granted youth in exchange for rendering up his daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) to Mr. Nick upon her 16th birthday. Kids go grow up fast, don't they, and as her "un-sweet 16" rapidly approaches, Dr. P tries to find a way to renegotiate the deal--and on the way, encounters some wild and comical characters. In other words, it's a Terry Gilliam film. It also stars Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law, and was Heath Ledger's last film (he passed away during filming).
Nominated for two Oscars (Art Direction and Best Achievement in Costume Design).
"Shot through with a bold, extravagant generosity of spirit, this journey behind the literal and figurative looking glass marks a gratifying return to form for Gilliam." --Ann Hornaday, Washington Post (Rated PG-13 for violent images, some sensuality, and language.)
