[film] The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 11:02 amThe Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Despite negative reviews, I rather liked this. It's beautifully filmed: lots of familiar London locations -- Battersea Power Station, the Albert Embankment, Leadenhall Market, Blackfriars Bridge, Southwark -- as well as surreal Imaginarium locales, each feeling as if it was based on the work of a different artist: Max Parrish, for one, and Edward Hopper maybe? And plenty of Tarot symbolism, not just the obvious one but the Fool and the Tower.
edit to add: also, Lily Cole pretty damn cool -- she is my calendar girl, on account of being Tim Walker's model/muse, and I'm pleased to see she can do more than just sit around lookingsurreal gorgeous.
The script is occasionally weak, but well-acted in an exaggerated theatrical mode that fit the story. ( spoiler ) Also very much liked the juxtaposition of the magical and the mundane -- jeering clubbers, refusing to be drawn in by magic and mystery.
I went expecting bleak and convoluted, and it is bleak. Happy endings not guaranteed, not for everyone.
Could have done without the fire alarm about 40 minutes in.
Despite negative reviews, I rather liked this. It's beautifully filmed: lots of familiar London locations -- Battersea Power Station, the Albert Embankment, Leadenhall Market, Blackfriars Bridge, Southwark -- as well as surreal Imaginarium locales, each feeling as if it was based on the work of a different artist: Max Parrish, for one, and Edward Hopper maybe? And plenty of Tarot symbolism, not just the obvious one but the Fool and the Tower.
edit to add: also, Lily Cole pretty damn cool -- she is my calendar girl, on account of being Tim Walker's model/muse, and I'm pleased to see she can do more than just sit around looking
The script is occasionally weak, but well-acted in an exaggerated theatrical mode that fit the story. ( spoiler ) Also very much liked the juxtaposition of the magical and the mundane -- jeering clubbers, refusing to be drawn in by magic and mystery.
I went expecting bleak and convoluted, and it is bleak. Happy endings not guaranteed, not for everyone.
Could have done without the fire alarm about 40 minutes in.