The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Last night I watched The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (2010) and had one of those kismet moments. This film essentially touches on all the ideas I’ve been exploring in my work lately. Imagination, Dreams, Utopias, Escapes. The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus is whimsical, visually stunning, while metaphysically thought provoking and challenging.  It is eye candy for the impoverished imaginative soul. Terry Gilliam, who directed and co-wrote the film with Charles McKeown, presents a somewhat autobiographical story about the aging Dr. Parnassus who dreams of a world ruled by the imagination.
Set in contemporary London, the film follows a wandering band of gypsies who perform atop a theatrical caravan, seeking to enchant the public with the power of the imagination. During their performances, the troupe tries to entice people on stage to enter the mirror into Dr. Parnassus’ imagination. Going through the mirror, the participants enter the realms of their imagination, a world generated by their own minds. Once there, the participants are presented with a choice, go up the stairs to fully ascend into the imagination of Dr. Parnassus, or retreat to the distractions of the contemporary material world, represented as a bar and seedy motel in the film.  The participants must make a choice between sin and greed or imagination and enlightenment.  These choices are presented by Dr. Parnassus, on the side of the imagination, and his nemesis Mr. Nick, a devilish man in a bowler hat, who represents the darker side of scientific reason, capitalism, and modern progress. The participants choose not only between good and evil, but between imagination and reason.  The film presents the imagination as the supreme path to enlightenment and transformation. However, set in the contemporary moment, the film shows how Dr. Parnassus and imagination are losing in their immortal battle against Mr. Nick and the stampede of progress in the name of scientific reason and efficiency. Dr. Parnassus’ ability to enchant the world is strained under the current modern conditions, and the theatre troupe is cast on the margins of society. Yet, there is hope as Dr. Parnassus learns to adapt to the modern world, trying new methods of enticing the imagination of contemporary society.   

This is a story of dream worlds, of utopian Ideal Homes, and how the imagination serves as a vehicle of fantastical escape.  Gilliam’s aim for the film is to get us to dream again, to let our minds travel in the realms of the imagination. His stunning cinematography, with the exception of some low budget CGI scenes, fantastical costume and set design, and poetic dialogue mesmerizes viewers, leading us willingly through the magical mirror into Dr. Parnassus’ imagination. 

For a more complete plot summary or reviews, click on the links.

Image Credits:The Imaginarium; Valentina