‘Imaginarium’ tribute to Ledger

After Heath Ledger’s untimely death, “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” was left incomplete and adrift. Director Terry Gilliam’s solution: hire three actors to finish Ledger’s part. Although his solution is sometimes jarring, it fits within Gilliam’s fantastic world and is a final gift to Ledger.

Dr. Parnassus, an ancient provocateur played by Christopher Plummer, has been tricked into a Faustian deal in which his daughter will be forfeited on her sixteenth birthday. Tom Waits plays Mr. Nick, the devil who will steal Parnassus’ daughter. Days before the deadline, the doctor runs into Ledger, who is hanging lifelessly from a rope.

After being resuscitated, Ledger joins the troupe, where he leads customers into Parnassus’ Imaginarium, a device that creates a blissful fantasy world tailored to their wishes. Each trip features a different actor in his place (Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell). These scenes are beautiful and almost hallucinatory.

Like all Gilliam movies, this film’s story is fractured and nearly incomprehensible, yet the visuals and characters are utterly charming. The DVD is well-stocked, with director commentary and video features. Gilliam’s audacity in finishing this film is a fitting tribute to Ledger.