Terry Gilliam is back in true Gilliam form. If you are a fan of his work... this is fabulous news. I will stay mainly spoiler free and I just now watched a trailer. I recommend going in blind to the film as well if at all possible.
I have a huge admiration for the works of this man and really feel for him as he has had some of the worst luck of any director working. Not to take away from the tragic death of Heath Ledger, but the fact that he died while working on a Gilliam film seemed an "of course it happened while on a Gilliam film" situation. Given the hammering the production took due to the loss of Ledger, it is amazing the film was completed at all (not to mention some of the brave choices made with what they had already filmed). Even more astounding is the fact that the film works and that the film makers creative fix for the situation makes for a really strong device. I feel it actually enhances the film and surely pushed all involved to give their best.
This is the first film in over 20 years that feels 100% like a Gilliam film. This sits alongside Time Bandits, Brazil, and Baron Munchausen as a work that could only spring from the man who started out as Monty Python's cartoonist. His signature style is represented here in a number of ways. Even some goofy CGI, which is a first for his style. Some critics try to blast the look of the CGI as being distracting for lack of realism... but knowing his work and what he likes to do... how could anyone expect any form of realism? How would that ever be perceived as a goal of his?
Seriously.
Gilliam's faults are on full display here, but those come with the Gilliam. If you enjoy his movies, you know this already. Not a good handle on narrative and pacing. In fact, his narrative sometimes spins out of his control... but this just seems to be a product of his vast imagination. I say, go with it. This film seems very personal, it seems like Gilliam is speaking to everyone... but much like the message in the film (one of them, anyways)... no one will listen. Except those already in the know. He is preaching to the choir and he knows it.
All the actors give fantastic performances. The core group is fun. Tom Waits is in true Waits form. The three actors who stepped in to save the day play their parts wonderfully and blend perfectly with Ledger. Each actor's part even plays to their public persona a bit... which is a brilliant stroke. Dr. Parnassus is the titular character and seems to be the canvas... but Ledger and friends' Tony character seems to be the true main character. It is a bit of a strange structure, but one I enjoyed.
This bit of praise is all over the place... much like the film and his other works. It felt like an honor to see a true Gilliam vision piece on the big screen. He is trying to ramp up his Don Quixote project yet again... hopefully it gets up and stays up and he can complete his dream project. See the documentary Lost in La Mancha to get a sense of his troubles with that project and in general.
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