The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus takes us on a whimsical, bizarre, and somewhat creepy adventure through the magic of the human mind.  Directed by Terry Gilliam, the film tells the story of Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), whose traveling theatre troop travels around present day London (though you’d never know it from their costumes) promising spectators brave enough to enter the “Imaginarium” on stage that they will see all their dreams come true.

With help from his nearly 16-year-old daughter Valentina (played by the uniquely beautiful newcomer, Lily Cole) and his assistant Anton (Andrew Garfield), the previously immortal (but now aging) Doctor Parnassus truly does control his guests’ minds inside his stage – presenting both a danger and a dream.  We soon find out that many years earlier, the doctor fell in love with a mortal woman and made a deal with the Devil (exquisitely played by Tom Waits) that cost him immortality but gained him a life of love, with one small catch – any offspring he should bear would become property of the Devil when they reached the age of sixteen.

The plot complicates when the crew finds Tony (Heath Ledger, in his final role), a down-on-his-luck supposed charity owner and allows him to join the theatre.  When the Devil comes calling for Valentina, Doctor Parnassus tempts him with one final bet – the person who can capture five souls within the Imaginarium first wins the girl.  It is Tony who helps bring spectators to the stage, having taken a liking to Valentina and hoping to save her life.  However, the mystical troop’s plan is flipped upside down they find out Tony may not be who he says he is.

Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law also star as fill-ins for Ledger’s character – a result of the brilliant actor’s premature death during filming.  It is hard to tell, though, what direction this movie would have gone had Ledger remained alive, as it is pieced together seamlessly.  Depp, Farrell, and Law’s characters retain a quality of intention within the script, and I believe actually enhance the overall story.

My only complaint about this film is that it becomes quite confusing at times, with so much action, an overload of characters, and a general lack of straightforward explanation.  What was lost plot-wise, though, was made up for by breathtaking visuals and eccentric costumes that rival any movie as of late.

Overall, I enjoyed the film.  I believe Heath Ledger’s final performance truly captures his unique spirit and peculiar charm.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is on DVD today and it is certainly worth renting.