When Heath Ledger passed away in January 2008, the actor was midway through completing what would unfortunately be his last movie, Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The film screened for distributors in L.A. earlier this month and will premiere in Cannes later this week. But will it turn out to be as weird as it sounds? Will it earn Ledger another posthumous Oscar? Well, judging from the 16-second clip below, the answers are: "Yes" and "Too early to call." Aside from raising even more questions, this amuse-bouche of Ledger’s final performance makes Parnassus look like the long-lost sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, what with the actor’s freaky-deaky carnivale mask and carny barker come-ons. But at least we now have our first strange taste of the film.
Check it out and tell us what you think below.
Comments (1-25) of 25 Add your comment
OMG!!!! I CAN NOT WAIT THIS LOOKS AMAZING!!
Eyes Wide Shut, really? Have you not seen any of Gilliam’s work? I mean… this clip is not out of the ordinary to me being familiar with Gilliam’s work. You can pretty much look at anything of his and this clip of Heath would be considered the least weird. The entirety of “Fear & Loathing”, and then there’s “Brazil” as well, what with the mother’s plastic surgery. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqtUI4XfhMM ) lol Come on, this is nothing in comparison!
Anyway, cannot wait for this film! Gilliam always takes the viewer on an unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable journey.
I’m so seeing this. I’m beyond curious. I really want to see how the whole Heath Ledger character being played by Johnny Depp, Jude Law & Colin Farrell will work out.
It looks good, excited to see final outcome.
I absolutely cannot wait for this movie. In these times, especially, I think we all could use to be amazed and I think this movie will be absolutely amazing!
Let me just state beforehand, that I am not a Terry Gilliam fan. The only movie of his that I have liked is ‘12 Monkeys’. Aside from that, I am actually really excited to see this. The fact that it is Heath Ledger’s last movie, and it has Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Collin Farrell also helps it out a bit, but I really do want to see this, even if Heath Ledger was alive now I’d be wanting to see it.
I am so excited about this film, especially about Heath Ledger’s performance, and he deserves all our attention for his last role. I’m sure it’s going to be nothing short of amazing.
The clip seems pretty straightforward to me, but from what I read, the rest of the film is going to be strange and wonderful and exciting, and I simply cannot wait to see it. The collaboration of Heath Ledger and Terry Gilliam is bound to create something beyond our expectations.
The clip looks good – this movie will be amazing, cannot wait to see it! I love Terry Gilliams fantasy and Heath Ledgers work. Besides Johnny Depp and all the other great actors it will be a brilliant film!
I look forward to watching Parnassus.
I couldn’t believe the trailer, hearing Heath Ledger again is unbelievable. I’m looking forward very much to seeing it. Thanks for pointing it out. All the best to Terry Gilliam and Pecorini, and all the others in the cast.
Margaret
I’m a little baffled by the article’s skeptic tone – how can you judge a movie as “weird” when you’ve only seen less then 20 seconds about it?? But I’ve read a lot of articles and interviews about this film since I’m curious about it and it sounds absolutely magical and wonderful!!! I just can’t wait to see it. and I’m sure Heath Ledger is going to be amazing, as always.
Oh my God, I hate Terry Gilliam more every day!
The mask, to me, appears to be inspired by Commedia Dell’Arte. Like all of Gilliam’s films, I’m sure this one will be “weird” and wonderful. It’s a fantasy film and from what I’ve heard, promises to be no holds barred Gilliam. I love his films. He doesn’t pander to the notion that audiences want only to see mainstream fluff. His films challenge the imagination and we need more of that!
This film is certainly magic. Heath Ledger is an exceptional actor.I just want to see this movie immediately.
This film is certainly magic. Heath Ledger is an exceptional actor.I just want to see this movie immediately.
Weird is not necessarily a bad thing. Some of the most memorable and intriguing movies I’ve seen could be described as “weird.” Weird and wonderful…that’s how I hope the world beyond the magic mirror will be.
This clip makes me want to see more. Heath never disappoints in any movie he’s ever done. He was always put his heart and soul into a movie and I can’t wait to see this one. You know weird is not such a bad thing, if you can call this movie weird. I would want to reserve any judgement until I’ve seen the entire movie.
Can’t wait!
I’ve read so much about this movie – and still don’t really know what to expect. That’s what makes it so great! I like to be surprised (even if it’s “weird”). Can’t wait to see it! And one thing I know for sure: Whatever Heath Ledger has done with his final role, it will be very interesting and I can’t wait to find out!
This looks pretty intruiging. Can´t wait to see the movie.
I think this movie is going to be fascinating. Terry Gilliam always gives me food for thought and a wild ride. It’s hard to tell how Heath will be from the clip, but I expect it to be interesting at least, and it’s just as likely to be fantastic . And then there’s the question of how the performances of Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell fit in. Really, how can you not want to see a film with a cast like this?
Has this movie been picked up for US released? I heard that it will be released in September, but not in the US. I hope someone picks it up, because I want to see it. It’s the last time we will see Heath Ledger. He was a great actor and will be missed.
Weird maybe, but in a utterly fantastic way. This will be Terry Gilliam off the leash and from what I’ve read his collaboration with Heath Ledger can only end up being one of the most amazing creations ever put on film. I can’t wait to go inside the Imaginarium and experience their dreams as well as mine.
“I’m a little baffled by the article’s skeptic tone – how can you judge a movie as “weird” when you’ve only seen less then 20 seconds about it??”
I’m baffled by the fans’ hyperbolic tone. How can you judge movie as “amazing” on the evidence of less than 20 seconds?
@Suzie: I understand what you’re saying, but I think that it being a Terry Gilliam film, as well as Heath Ledger’s last film, the fans are just very excited to see it.