The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Visionary director Terry Gilliam manages to save the film after his star Heath Ledger died during the shooting with the help of some friends. While the film has flaws that might be attributed to Ledger's passing away, it marks the best work Gilliam has done in a decade or so. The story of a travelling magician who tries to save his daughter from his clutches of the devil with whom he made a pact. If the Doctor Parnassus can deliver five souls to the devil, he can keep his daughter, otherwise the devil will take her when she turns 16. The desperate Doctor saves a young con artist who in return tries to help him while he falls for the daughter. Gilliam tries to make the best out of a terrible situation story wise but delivers a visually stunning looking film with a superb cast. Ledger's last performance won't be his most memorable one after his brilliant joker. Of the three actors who stepped in to replace Ledger, Colin Farrel has the longest and best sequence while Johnny Depp has the shortest to have any impact. Christopher Plummer is excellent as Doctor Parnassus and model turned actress Lily Cole stands out as the only female among the strong male cast. YRCinema's coverage of the 62nd Festival de Cannes.