The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasus
~ A film review by Live Music Head
“What’s really going on between Doctor Parnasus
and the devil anyway?”
was the question running through my mind during most of the film.
It took way too long to get an explanation about the deal
and when an explanation did finally come,
it still wasn’t entirely clear.
Well,
not to me anyway.
The visuals inside the Imaginarium were awesome,
but I knew as I was leaving the cinema,
this film wouldn’t hold any long lasting memories for me.
Tom Waits was the main reason I saw this motion picture,
but unfortunately, I was disappointed with his dialogue.
I expected far better words to be written for him;
he was Tom Waits playing the devil after all.
And seeing Johnny Depp suddenly appear out of nowhere,
may have been fun for some, but for me it was distracting.
On the other hand,
If I had to pick a favourite scene,
I guess it would be the one in the shopping mall
and the uptight woman being seduced by
Depp-filled fantasies in a boat.
But what about Waits dancing the tango?
I could have used more of that.
All in all, as far as performances go
I’d have to say Christopher Plummer saved the day,
because it was he who ultimately managed to move me.
Tears welled as I watched Parnasus watch his daughter
through the restaurant window of the closing scene.
Overall,
the film reminded me of the stage version of Lord of the Rings;
too much great talent wasted on a weak script.
I’m not sure I’ll want to see
this film again when it arrives on DVD,
but if I do,
perhaps I’ll feel differently about it a second time around.
For now,
I give the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasus...
2 out of 5
