Gilliam stretches ‘Imaginarium’ (3/5)

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Starring: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole
Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Rating: PG-13 for violent images, some sensuality, language and smoking.
Running time: 2 hours, 3 minutes.

Terry Gilliam does not make things easy for his audience (“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” anyone?). You have to work at watching his films. “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” is no different.

Gilliam’s visionary scope is at its best here. But when the burden of accessibility is put on the viewer, the visual splendor can be overlooked.

“Parnassus” is the kind of film that may require multiple viewings. But with an over-two-hour running time, if it doesn’t grab you the first time, you won’t feel motivated to watch it again.

The title character, Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), has made a deal with the devil, Mr. Nick (musician Tom Waits). The contract? Immortality for the ownership of any child Parnassus sires at the child’s 16th birthday. Unlucky Valentina (a wonderful Lily Cole) becomes the object of attention as her fateful age draws near.

Parnassus and Valentina are part of a traveling troupe that encourages story and the use of imagination (with the help of a very special mirror). Completing their motley ensemble is the youthful Anton (Andrew Garfield) and the impertinent Percy (a hilarious Verne Troyer).

After another unsuccessful venture into the depths of London, the group comes upon a man hanging from a bridge and rescues him. It is Tony (Heath Ledger), a man claiming amnesia but who is actually harboring a dark past. Much to Anton’s dismay, Tony and Valentina are quickly drawn to each other and Tony joins Parnassus’ traveling troupe, promising bigger audiences and a richer payout.

Regretting his previous agreement, Parnassus agrees to a wager — if he can win over five souls to the power of good and imagination before Mr. Nick can claim five souls to impulse and want, Parnassus can win back the claim to his daughter.

Tony discovers that by inviting people into the mirror he can sway their decision toward Parnassus in the hopes of saving Valentina. Each trip into the mirror is a foray into another person’s very visual imagination and gives the audience a dip into Gilliam’s rich creativity.

Sadly, I don’t think “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” would have the same undercurrent of viewers without Heath Ledger’s tragic death in the midst of shooting the film. To account for the loss of Ledger, actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell agreed to each take on the role of Tony during the character’s trips into the mirror. The actors all pooled the money they made from “Parnassus” and donated it to Ledger’s young daughter, now 5-year-old Matilda.

“Parnassus” will entrance some and bore others. Though this film is desperately in need of a second viewing by its audience, I’m not sure I would watch it again. Gilliam’s movies require you to suspend all belief and allow yourself to be immersed in his vision. It’s hard to connect with a movie touting freedom of imagination when Gilliam’s is so overpowering. However, all of the actors’ performances are very worthy of watching (especially Ledger and Troyer). If you’re prepared to hang up your own mind for a time and allow Gilliam to take you over, “Parnassus” may just be a movie for you.

3 of 5 stars