The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was one of the most anticipated film of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival because it’s the last one from the late Heath Ledger.
Colleagues Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell pitched in to finish the film, which ends with the on-screen credit: “A Film From Heath Ledger and Friends”. Here are the film’s first reviews:
Hollywood Reporter: The first big question about [director Terry Gilliam] managed to complete the film when his star Heath Ledger died in the middle of shooting. The answer is with great imagination and skill… The three stars that came to Gilliam’s rescue also make amusing contributions but it’s hard not to wonder how much better the film would have been with a complete performance by the charismatic and adventurous Ledger.”
Variety: “Especially considering the trauma and difficulties stemming from Heath Ledger’s death during production and the fact that Terry Gilliam hadn’t directed a good picture in more than a decade, the helmer has made a pretty good thing out of a very bad situation in Imaginarium.”
The projected theatrical release for Imaginarium is Friday, June 6.























